National Barbecue Day and Veterans Day represent significant opportunities for U.S. consumers to access complimentary meals and promotional offers from major restaurant chains. Based on the provided documentation, these observances are marked by structured giveaways, free entrees, and special discounts designed to reward specific customer segments, including veterans, active-duty military personnel, and early-bird restaurant patrons. The following guide details the verified offers available on these dates, including eligibility requirements, redemption processes, and participating locations.
National Barbecue Day Promotions
National Barbecue Day is observed annually on May 16. According to the documentation, restaurant chains utilize this date to launch sweepstakes-style giveaways and limited-time discounts to drive traffic during National Barbecue Month in May.
City Barbeque Giveaways
City Barbeque, an Ohio-based chain, hosts a promotional event on May 16 involving scratch-off cards distributed to customers. The mechanics of this offer are specific to arrival time and location.
- Eligibility and Timing: The first 100 guests at each City Barbeque location on May 16 receive a scratch-off card.
- Prizes: The scratch-off cards contain guaranteed prizes. The documentation lists the following prize distribution:
- One winner per location receives a $100 City Barbeque gift card.
- Ten winners receive a two-meat, two-side sampler.
- Twenty-five winners receive $5 off a $25 purchase.
- Twenty-five winners receive a free shareable with purchase.
- Thirty-nine winners receive a free Pepsi or fountain drink.
- Additional Offers: During National Barbecue Month, City Barbeque offers a $5 bonus card with the purchase of a $25 gift card. This promotion is valid through June 15.
- Locations: The documentation specifically lists City Barbeque locations in Kentucky for this promotion:
- 8026 Burlington Pike, Florence
- 2760 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights
- 2187 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington
- 3292 Richmond Road, Lexington
- 4027 Poplar Level Road, Louisville
- 9429 Viking Center Drive, Louisville
Local Barbecue Recommendations
While not explicitly offering free samples, the documentation lists several barbecue restaurants in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, area that consumers might visit on National Barbecue Day. These include: * Pop Pop’s Pit BBQ * Old South BBQ * Brisket (1501 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach) * Little Pigs Bar-B-Q (6102 Frontage Rd, Myrtle Beach) * Simply Southern Smokehouse (1913 Mr. Joe White Ave, Myrtle Beach) * True BBQ (4002 Socastee Blvd, Myrtle Beach)
Veterans Day Free Meal Deals
Veterans Day, observed on November 11, features a wide array of free meal deals for veterans and active-duty military personnel. The documentation indicates that these offers are almost exclusively available for dine-in service and require valid proof of military service.
Identification and Verification Requirements
Most participating brands require a valid military ID for verification. Specific verification methods include: * Physical ID: Standard military identification cards. * Digital Verification: Pilot / Flying J requires verification through ID.me within the Pilot app. * Coupons: Some offers, such as those at Sonny’s BBQ, require a coupon in addition to a military ID.
Participating Restaurants and Offers (Veterans Day)
The following restaurants offer complimentary meals or items on November 11, 2025, subject to the eligibility criteria listed below.
Full Meal Deals
- Mission BBQ: Offers a free sandwich and a slice of cake. This offer is available at all nationwide locations with valid proof of military service. The brand also observes a live performance of the National Anthem at noon on this date.
- Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom: Active military and veterans may enjoy a free meal from a Veterans Day menu at participating locations.
- Pilot / Flying J: Veterans, military personnel, and their families can receive a free breakfast sandwich and coffee or a lunch item and fountain drink. Verification is required via the Pilot app using ID.me. The brand is also making a $250,000 donation to the Call of Duty Endowment.
- Sonny’s BBQ: Offers a free Pork Big Deal to veterans and active military. Verification of status must be completed on the website, and participants must sign up for rewards by Sunday, November 9. The offer is limited to one meal per check for orders placed on November 11.
- TGI Fridays: Offers a complimentary meal from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at participating U.S. locations. Dine-in only, valid military ID required. The special menu includes:
- Cheeseburger with fries
- Chicken Fingers with fries and coleslaw
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Half Rack of Ribs with choice of side
- Half portion of Cajun Shrimp & Chicken Pasta
- Texas Roadhouse: Offers free meals to veterans and active military members across the country.
- Shoney’s: Veterans and active military eat free from the breakfast fresh food bar. Valid from open until 11 a.m. on November 11.
Entree and Specific Item Deals
- Buca di Beppo: Free lunch entrée (any pasta from the lunch specials menu) for veterans and active military with military ID. Dine-in only.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Free 10-piece Boneless Wings and Fries for veterans and active military. Valid military ID required.
- Chicken Salad Chick: Free Chick Meal and regular-size drink with valid military ID. Dine-in only.
- Chili's: Free meal (options include Chicken Crispers, Quesadillas, and the Oldtimer Burger) for veterans and active military with proof of service. Dine-in only.
- Colton's Steak House & Grill: Free meal deal for veterans and active military (specific menu items not detailed in the provided text).
- Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Free Sullivan’s Signature Angus Burger with Fries for veterans and active-duty military. Dine-in only, valid ID required.
- STK Steakhouse: Complimentary entrée (valued up to $69) for veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Breakfast and Snack Deals
- Bruegger’s Bagels: Free hot or iced coffee (any size) for veterans and active-duty military. Available in-bakery, through the mobile app, or online using code FREECOFFEE. No purchase is required.
- Bubba’s 33: Free lunch served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 11. Options include:
- Classic Cheeseburger
- Bubba’s Bacon Burger
- Bacon Chicken Mac-n-Cheese
- Grilled Chicken Salad
- Chicken Tender Salad
- 12-inch pizza
- Served with a Coca-Cola product, iced tea, or coffee.
- Raincheck Option: Customers unable to dine during lunch hours can pick up raincheck vouchers from 9 a.m. to noon on November 11, valid through May 31, 2026.
- Casey’s: Free coffee or fountain drink for all military service members. This offer is extended year-round to on-duty, uniformed first responders (law enforcement, fire, and EMS).
- Cici's Pizza: Free adult buffet for veterans and active-duty military with ID. Dine-in only.
- Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: First 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free for veterans and active military with valid military ID.
- Starbucks: Free tall (12-ounce) brewed coffee (hot or iced) for veterans, military service members, and their spouses. Valid at participating U.S. stores for cafe and drive-thru orders only.
- TCBY: First 6 ounces of froyo free for veterans and active military with valid ID.
City Barbeque Veterans Day Offer
Separate from its National Barbecue Day promotion, City Barbeque also offers a Veterans Day deal. On November 11, veterans and active military receive a complimentary meal consisting of a sandwich, one side, and a drink.
Accessing Locations and Redemption
To redeem these offers, consumers are generally directed to visit the official brand websites to locate participating venues.
- McDonalds: Visit mcdonalds.com for locations.
- Menchie’s: Visit menchies.com for locations.
- Mission BBQ: Visit mission-bbq.com for locations.
- Old Chicago: Visit oldchicago.com for locations.
- Sonny’s BBQ: Visit sonnysbbq.com for locations.
- Starbucks: Visit starbucks.com for locations.
- STK Steakhouse: Visit stksteakhouse.com for locations.
- Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Visit sullivanssteakhouse.com for locations.
- TGI Fridays: Visit participating U.S. locations (website not specified in text for this specific offer).
- Capriottis: Visit capriottis.com for locations.
- Casey’s: Visit caseys.com for locations.
- Chicken Salad Chick: Visit chickensaladchick.com for locations.
- Chili's: Visit chilis.com for locations.
- Cici's: Visit cicis.com for locations.
- City Barbeque: Visit citybbq.com for locations.
- Bob Evans: Visit bobevans.com for locations.
- Bruegger’s Bagels: Visit brueggers.com for locations.
- Bubba’s 33: Visit bubbas33.com for locations.
- Buca di Beppo: Visit dineatbuca.com for locations.
Conclusion
The documentation outlines distinct promotional strategies for National Barbecue Day and Veterans Day. National Barbecue Day focuses on volume-based giveaways, specifically scratch-off cards for the first 100 guests at City Barbeque locations. Veterans Day focuses on identity-verified free meals for service members, with over 20 major chains participating. The most restrictive redemption terms (dine-in only, ID verification, specific app usage) are associated with the Veterans Day offers, while National Barbecue Day offers are accessible primarily through early arrival at specific locations.