Memorial Day and Veterans Day are significant national holidays in the United States, often marked by various businesses offering discounts, free meals, and promotional deals to honor military personnel and celebrate the season. Based on recent data regarding food and retail offers, numerous brands have structured specific promotions for these dates, targeting both general consumers and active or retired military members. The following analysis details these offers, focusing on eligibility requirements, redemption processes, and participating locations.
Memorial Day Food and Retail Offers
Memorial Day promotions typically focus on the start of the summer season and honor military personnel. The available data highlights several food and beverage offers valid around late May.
General Consumer Food Deals
Several restaurant chains offered discounts valid for all customers during the Memorial Day weekend, typically spanning from May 24 through May 26 or 27.
- Popeyes: Customers could purchase two famous chicken sandwiches for $8. This offer was valid through May 26 and required ordering via the chain’s website or app.
- Pizza Girl: This brand offered 15% off sitewide using the code MEMORIALDAY15. The promotion was valid through May 26.
- Checkers & Rally’s: A $4 meal deal was available for customers just in time for the holiday.
- Red Robin: Between May 24 and 27, customers saved 20% off catering orders purchased online or in the app using the code MEMORIAL. This was valid for pickup and delivery at participating locations.
- Potbelly: Rewards members received a free cookie, fountain drink, or bag of chips when purchasing an Original or Big Sandwich. This offer was valid in-store, online, or in the app through June 1.
- Purple Carrot: This brand offered 50% off and free shipping on the first box through May 27.
Military-Specific Memorial Day Offers
Certain promotions were exclusively available to military personnel showing valid identification.
- Pokeworks: Service members saved 20% off an in-store order on Memorial Day when showing a valid ID and using the code MEMDAY25.
- Bad Daddy’s: On May 26, customers could order a Bad Ass Margarita for $8 (limit of two per person).
- Kids Eat Free Offers: Several brands, including Bravo! Italian Kitchen and Brio Italian Grille, offered free meals for kids on Memorial Day.
Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts
Veterans Day offers are extensive, with data covering a wide range of restaurants providing free meals or significant discounts to veterans and active-duty military personnel. These offers generally require proof of service, such as a valid military ID or DD 214.
Free Meal Offers (With or Without Purchase)
Many restaurants offer a completely free meal, while others require the purchase of a regular entrée.
- Ninety Nine Restaurant + Pub: Veterans and active-duty military received a free lunch entrée with the purchase of an adult entrée on Nov. 11. Options included chopped sirloin, roasted turkey dinner, and the All-American cheeseburger. A $5 reward card was also provided for the next visit.
- Firehouse Subs: Veterans and active-duty military received a free sub of equal or lesser value when purchasing any size sub. This was valid in-store only.
- Friendly’s: From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 11, veterans received a free All-American Cheeseburger and drink of choice.
- Logan’s Roadhouse: Active-duty military and veterans enjoyed one free meal from a Veterans Day menu between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que: On Nov. 11, active-duty personnel and veterans received a complimentary meal (pulled pork sandwich with one side or Southern fried chicken with two sides) and a $10 Bonus Card.
- Max & Ermas: Vets and active military received a free cheeseburger with fries and a fountain drink on Nov. 11.
- Main Event: Veterans received a free double cheeseburger with fries and 30 minutes of game play.
- Wendy’s: Offered a free Breakfast Combo during breakfast hours on Nov. 11. No purchase was required, but guests had to notify the crew member or show a VetRewards Card.
- White Castle: Veterans and active-duty military received a free individual combo meal or breakfast combo.
- Wienerschnitzel: Offered a free Original Chili Dog, Small Fries, and Small Soda all day on Nov. 11.
- Hy-Vee: Many stores offered a free breakfast buffet to veterans and active-duty military.
- IHOP: Offered a Red, White and Blue pancake combo (2 pancakes, 2 eggs, hash browns, and bacon or sausage) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Discounted Offers
Some brands prefer to offer a percentage discount rather than a full free meal.
- McCormick & Schmick’s: Invited veterans, Gold Star parents, and active military to enjoy a select half-priced entrée on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
- Metro Diner: Veterans received 50% off their meals on Nov. 11.
- Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza: Veterans and active-duty military received 10% off their entire order on Nov. 11 (dine-in only).
- WOB Bar & Kitchen: Complimentary order of 2-piece Smash Burger Sliders.
- Wings and Rings: Free lunch on Nov. 11 (dine-in only).
Coffee and Snack Offers
- Einstein Bros. Bagels and Bruegger's Bagels: Offered a free hot or iced coffee of any size on Tuesday, Nov. 11. This could be claimed in-bakery, via the mobile app, or online with the code FREECOFFEE.
Non-Food Retail and Service Offers
The data also includes specific non-food offers for Veterans Day, specifically in automotive maintenance and retail.
- Jiffy Lube: Offered a 50% discount for active and retired military on any oil change. This was valid from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Veterans Day at specific participating locations (Appleton, Grand Chute, Manitowoc, Oshkosh, Sheboygan). No appointment was necessary.
- Kohl’s: Veterans and active-duty military received 30% off in-store purchases on Nov. 10 and Nov. 11. Exclusions applied. Proper identification was required, such as a military ID, state-issued ID indicating veteran status, or Form DD 214.
Eligibility and Redemption Rules
To successfully redeem these offers, consumers must adhere to specific verification processes.
Proof of Service
Most Veterans Day offers require proof of service. The acceptable forms of identification vary by brand but generally include: * Valid Military ID * DD 214 * State-issued ID indicating veteran status * Proof of service (in some cases)
Location Restrictions
Participating locations are a critical factor. The data explicitly notes that offers are valid "at participating locations" for brands such as Ford’s Garage, Wendy’s, and Wienerschnitzel. Consumers are advised to call ahead to ensure their local branch is honoring the promotion.
Order Methods
- In-Store: Many offers, such as those at Firehouse Subs and Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, are dine-in only.
- Online/App: Some offers require digital redemption. For example, Popeyes required ordering via the website or app for their sandwich deal, and Wendy's required notifying the crew or showing a digital VetRewards Card.
Conclusion
The provided data outlines a wide array of food and retail promotions associated with Memorial Day and Veterans Day. These range from general consumer discounts on catering and meal deals to specific, verified offers for military personnel, including free meals, breakfast items, and automotive services. Successful redemption relies on adhering to specific dates, providing valid proof of service where required, and confirming participation at local locations.