Veterans Day is a significant occasion in the United States, observed annually on November 11, to honor military veterans. During this time, numerous retailers and restaurants extend gratitude through freebies, discounts, and special promotions. The available source data details specific offers for Veterans Day 2024 and 2025, with a focus on food and beverage establishments. While the query specifically requested information regarding Perkins, the provided documentation includes a broad spectrum of offers from various brands, including Perkins, Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin, and others. This article aggregates these verified offers to provide a comprehensive guide for veterans and active-duty military personnel seeking to utilize these promotions.
It is important to note that most offers require verification of military status. Common requirements include a valid military ID, proof of service, or verification through third-party services such as GOVx. Additionally, many dining offers are restricted to dine-in service and may exclude tax, gratuity, and modifications.
Perkins Veterans Day Offerings
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery is a frequent participant in Veterans Day promotions. According to the source data, Perkins offers specific free meals to honor veterans and military personnel.
For Veterans Day 2024, Perkins offered a free Great American Trio Meal at participating locations on November 11. This offer required a valid military ID. This information is corroborated by multiple sources, including Military.com, which specified that the offer was valid on November 11, 2024.
For Veterans Day 2025, the offer remains consistent based on the available data. Veterans are eligible for a free Great American Trio on November 11, 2025, and must show a military ID to redeem the offer.
Other Restaurant Freebies and Discounts (2024 and 2025)
The provided documentation lists numerous other restaurants offering free meals or discounts for veterans. These offers vary by year, location, and specific terms.
2024 Offers
Several brands offered free meals or specific menu items on Veterans Day 2024. Key offers included:
- Outback Steakhouse: Provided active-duty military and veterans with a free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage with the purchase of an adult entree on November 11. This was a dine-in-only offer requiring a military ID. Additionally, Source [6] mentions a free 3-course meal available on November 10 and 11, 2024.
- Red Lobster: Offered a free Shrimp and Chips meal to veterans and active-duty military members with proof of service. The meal included six Walt’s Shrimp, fries, coleslaw, and a beverage. Tax and gratuity were not included, and no substitutions were permitted.
- Red Robin: Provided veterans and active-duty military with a complimentary Red's Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Side on November 11. This was a dine-in-only offer requiring proof of service.
- Ruby Tuesday: Offered active-duty military and veterans a free Garden Bar entrée, American Smashed Burger, or Ruby’s Cheeseburger on November 11 using code HERO24. A military ID was required.
- Sonic: Offered half-price milkshakes on November 11.
- Denny’s: Provided veterans or active-duty military with a valid ID a free Build-Your-Own Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon on November 11.
- Applebee’s: Offered free meals to veterans and active-duty military. They also ran a "Buy a Vet a Beer" promotion where guests could purchase a prepaid pint of beer for a veteran.
- Chili’s: Provided veterans and active-duty service members with a free meal from a select menu on November 11, available for in-restaurant dining only.
- Cracker Barrel: Offered veterans a free slice of double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake in-store or online on November 11.
- Dunkin’ Donuts: Provided veterans and active-duty military with a free donut at participating restaurants nationwide, with no purchase necessary.
- Famous Dave’s: Offered former and current military personnel a free Georgia chopped pork sandwich plus a side on Veterans Day.
- Golden Corral: Held a military appreciation night on November 11, 2025 (and likely similar in 2024), where veterans received a free "thank you" meal from 4:00 p.m. to close. This was for dine-in only and did not extend to spouses or family members.
- Texas Roadhouse: Offered a free lunch on Veterans Day from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., allowing veterans to choose from 10 entrees.
2025 Offers
The documentation for 2025 highlights similar offers, with some specific details:
- Perkins: Free Great American Trio on November 11. Must show military ID.
- Red Robin: Free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on November 11.
- Sammy’s Pizza & Restaurant: Free lunch buffet for veterans and active duty service members on November 11 at Elk River and Coon Rapids locations.
- Starbucks: On November 11, veterans, service members, and military spouses received a free tall (12 fl oz) brewed coffee (hot or iced).
- Taco John’s: Offered a free small beef Crispy or Softshell Taco Combo on November 11 by presenting a military ID or proof of service, valid in-store or at the drive-thru.
- TCBY: Veterans and active military received their first 6 oz free on November 11 with proof of service.
- Texas Roadhouse: Free lunch on Veterans Day from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., choosing from 10 entrees.
- Crooked Pint: Veterans and active-duty military could enjoy a free meal on November 11, choosing from a Classic Lucy, Cluckin’ Good Platter, Crispy Chicken Salad, or Apple Pecan Chicken Salad. Requires military ID and is dine-in only.
- Trove Brewing: Free pint for veterans.
- Caribou Coffee: Veterans, active military members, and spouses received a free hot brewed coffee on November 11.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: All veterans and active-duty service members received a free hot or iced coffee (any size) on Veterans Day. This offer was valid in stores, on the mobile app, or online using code FREECOFFEE. No purchase was required.
- Famous Dave’s: Military personnel and veterans could get a free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich Lunch with a choice of side on Veterans Day (use code VETERAN25 at checkout).
- Granite City Food & Brewery: Veterans and military personnel received a free entrée from the restaurant’s Veterans Day lunch menu and a free non-alcoholic beverage from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time. This was valid for dine-in, to-go, and online ordering (code VETERANS25), but not for delivery.
- Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream: Retired and active military members received a certificate for a free meal (smorgasbord buffet or small pizza) anytime through the end of November.
- Hard Rock Cafe: Active and retired military members received a free Classic Smash Burger all day on Veterans Day (valid ID required).
Non-Dining Freebies and Discounts
The source data also references freebies outside of the restaurant sector, though the query specifically requested a focus on food and beverage offers. However, to provide a complete picture of the Veterans Day landscape based on the provided sources, the following non-dining offers are mentioned:
- Free Book: "Operation Money – A Financial Guide for Military Service Members and Families" (Kindle Edition) was available for free.
- Free Car Washes: Available for veterans on November 11.
- Discounted Admission: To Anheiser Busch Parks (Sea World, Busch Gardens, etc.) for military members.
- Hotels:
- Red Roof Inn: 15% off room rates for government, military, vets, and retirees.
- Super 8: 15% off Best Available Rate at participating locations for eligible military members.
- Retail:
- Dollar General: Veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, Reserve, and immediate family members saved 20 percent on in-store purchases from November 10-13.
- Food/Grocery:
- Broulim’s: A grocery store giving away 6-packs of glazed doughnuts to veterans on November 11.
- Pick Me Up: Veterans received a free 24-ounce drink (excludes energy drinks) with military ID.
- Chick-fil-A: Veterans and active duty received either free 8-piece chicken nuggets or a sandwich with military ID.
- Firehouse Subs: Buy 1, get 1 free regular sandwich on November 11 for veterans and active duty.
- Little Caesars: Veterans and military members received a free HOT-N-READY lunch combo on November 11.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
The source data emphasizes that proof of service is a universal requirement for most offers. Acceptable forms of verification generally include:
- Military ID: The most common requirement (e.g., Perkins, Outback Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday).
- Proof of Service: A broader term that may include a veteran ID card, VA card, or other official documentation (e.g., Red Lobster, Red Robin).
- Verification Services: Some offers, such as those mentioned in Source [2], require verification through GOVx.
Additionally, dining offers frequently have specific redemption parameters:
- Dine-In Only: Many offers, including those from Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin, Ruby Tuesday, Red Robin, and Bob Evans, are restricted to dine-in service.
- Participating Locations: Not all locations of a chain may participate in the promotion. The sources advise checking with local restaurants.
- Exclusions: Offers often exclude tax, gratuity, alcohol, and modifications (e.g., Red Lobster).
- Time Restrictions: Some offers are limited to specific hours, such as Denny’s (5 a.m. to noon) or Texas Roadhouse (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).
Conclusion
Veterans Day offers a wide array of freebies and discounts for military personnel, ranging from free meals at restaurants like Perkins, Outback Steakhouse, and Red Robin to retail discounts at Dollar General and free services like car washes. The key to accessing these offers is verifying military status, typically through a valid military ID or proof of service. Consumers should be aware of specific terms, such as dine-in requirements, participating locations, and time restrictions, to ensure a smooth redemption process. While the 2024 and 2025 offers show some consistency, it is always recommended to confirm details with the specific brand or restaurant before visiting.