Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, serves as a significant date for military appreciation across the United States. Numerous restaurant chains and food service establishments participate in this tradition by offering complimentary meals, beverages, and discounts to active duty military personnel, veterans, and sometimes reserves and National Guard members. These offers typically require proof of military service, such as a military ID, VA card, or DD 214, and are generally restricted to dine-in transactions on the specific holiday. The following guide details verified offers available to U.S. consumers based on recent promotional data.
Overview of Veterans Day Dining Offers
The landscape of Veterans Day freebies is dominated by national restaurant chains aiming to honor those who have served. The offers generally fall into several categories: full meals, specific entrees, breakfast items, desserts, and beverages. While many deals are available exclusively on Veterans Day, some establishments extend their appreciation through vouchers valid for future visits or specific time windows leading up to the holiday.
Most participating brands require customers to present valid proof of service. Acceptable forms of identification typically include a Uniformed Services ID Card, a VA Health ID Card, a driver’s license with veteran designation, or a DD 214 discharge document. It is standard practice for these offers to be valid for dine-in service only, although a few exceptions for takeout or drive-thru exist. Additionally, most offers exclude alcohol, tax, and gratuity.
Major Chain Restaurant Offers
Several prominent restaurant chains have established long-standing traditions of providing free meals to military members.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s has provided Veterans Day deals for 18 consecutive years. The offer includes select entrées from a limited menu available throughout the day. This offer is strictly for dine-in customers and requires military identification.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings offers past and present military members 10 free boneless wings and an order of regular fries. This offer applies to dine-in customers. At Buffalo Wild Wings Go locations, the offer is valid for walk-in orders, though it is unclear if this applies to takeout or drive-thru.
California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen provides a complimentary beverage and one entrée from a limited menu to veterans and active duty military. Beverage choices include Coca-Cola fountain beverages, iced tea, or passion fruit mango unsweetened iced tea. Entrée options include four full-size salads (Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, Thai Crunch, Classic Caesar, or Italian Chopped) and six pizzas (Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, Hawaiian, Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage, Pepperoni, Five Cheese + Fresh Tomato, and The Meats).
Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse offers free meal vouchers to veterans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day. These vouchers are redeemable for dine-in or carry-out meals from a select menu and are valid through May 2025. A valid military ID or proof of service is required.
T.G.I. Friday’s
T.G.I. Friday’s offers a free meal between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Veterans Day. The special menu includes a Cheeseburger and Fries, Crispy Chicken Fingers with Fries and Coleslaw, Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, Half-Rack of Ribs and Choice of Side, and Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta. This offer is dine-in only.
White Castle
White Castle provides a free combo meal or breakfast combo to veterans and active duty service members. Customers must show a valid military ID at participating restaurants.
In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger offers a complimentary meal, including any burger, fries, and beverage, to all veterans, active duty military, reserves, and National Guard members. They also receive a special edition Veterans Day decal. Proof of military service is required.
Huddle House
Huddle House provides a free MVP Breakfast Platter on November 11 to active and retired military personnel. This is available at participating locations for dine-in only.
IHOP
On Veterans Day, IHOP provides free Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes to veterans and active duty military at participating locations. A valid military ID or proof of service is required, and the offer is dine-in only. Limit one per guest.
Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant
Veterans and active duty service members who dine in on November 11 with proof of service receive a complimentary burger or sandwich along with a non-alcoholic beverage.
J. Christopher’s
J. Christopher’s offers a free meal to veterans on November 11. Proof of military service is required.
BJ's Restaurants & Brewhouse
BJ's Restaurants & Brewhouse offers a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie dessert to all active-duty and retired military personnel dining in on Veterans Day (requires a valid military ID). Additionally, from November 12 to December 31, guests with a valid military ID who dine in and purchase an entrée receive a free Appetizer Bounce Back deal for a future visit.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s offers a free burger and fries to all veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day. Notably, proof of service is not required for this offer. It is not valid with any other offer, discount, promotion, or purchase of gift cards; tax, alcohol, and gratuity are excluded.
The Brass Tap
The Brass Tap offers a free burger and fries to veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day.
Biggby Coffee
Biggby Coffee offers military personnel any 16-ounce beverage for $1.99 on Veterans Day.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza offers a free one-topping pizza to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day. The company also donates $1 from every pizza sold that day to Folds of Honor.
Bruegger’s Bagels and Einstein Bros. Bagels
These bagel chains offer a free hot or iced coffee of any size to all veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day. Guests can claim the complimentary coffee in-bakery, through the mobile app, or online with a specific code (e.g., FREECOFFEE), with no purchase necessary.
Casey’s General Stores
Casey’s General Stores offers a free, any-size coffee or fountain drink to past and present service members.
Ford’s Garage
Ford’s Garage honors Veterans Day by offering U.S. veterans and active-duty military a free American Standard Burger or up to $15 off an entrée of their choice. This dine-in offer requires a valid military ID.
Firehouse Subs
Firehouse Subs offers a free sub of equal or lesser value when veterans and active-duty military purchase any size sub and show a valid military ID. The offer is valid in-store only, with a limit of one per customer.
Friendly’s
Friendly’s offers veterans a free All-American Cheeseburger and a drink of choice from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 11 with an active Military ID.
Whataburger
Whataburger offers a free 16-ounce Hot or Iced Coffee to veterans and active duty military members in uniform or with a valid ID. The offer is valid in-store only at participating locations.
Texas Roadhouse Vouchers
In addition to the on-site meal, Texas Roadhouse provides vouchers redeemable for dine-in or carry-out through May 2025, valid from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day.
Other Food and Beverage Offers
Beyond full-service restaurants, other food establishments participate in Veterans Day appreciation.
bellagreen
bellagreen offers a 15% Military Discount every day to active-duty military members and veterans, available for in-store dining and takeout.
The Restaurant Buffet
The restaurant buffet hosts an annual Military Appreciation Night on November 11, from 4 p.m. to close. Active members and veterans receive a free “thank you” buffet and beverage.
Non-Restaurant Military Appreciation Events
While the primary focus of the provided data is on restaurant dining, there is mention of broader military activities associated with President’s Day, which is distinct from Veterans Day but relevant to military appreciation.
President’s Day Events
- 21 Gun Salutes: Military personnel across the U.S. and overseas traditionally perform 21 gun salutes on President’s Day.
- Naturalization Ceremonies: Many military units use President’s Day as a time for service members to take their Oath of Citizenship.
- Great Aloha Run: A President’s Day run in Hawaii that raises money for various Hawaii-based charitable organizations. Military units as far as Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan have participated from afar to raise money.
- Free Admission: Specific sites offer free admission on President’s Day, such as the National Constitution Center on February 15 and the George Washington Memorial on February 22.
Eligibility and Redemption Rules
Proof of Service
The most critical requirement for redeeming Veterans Day offers is proof of military service. While specific requirements vary by establishment, common acceptable documents include: - Uniformed Services ID Card - VA Health ID Card - Driver’s license with veteran designation - DD 214 - Military orders - Veterans Service Organization membership card (e.g., VFW, American Legion)
Some establishments, such as Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, explicitly state that proof of service is not required, though this is an exception to the general rule.
Dine-In vs. Carry-Out
The majority of offers are restricted to dine-in service. This is explicitly stated for Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Huddle House, IHOP, Texas Roadhouse (for the immediate meal), T.G.I. Friday’s, Iron Hill Brewery, and others. - Texas Roadhouse is a notable exception, offering vouchers that can be redeemed for carry-out. - Buffalo Wild Wings Go locations allow the offer for walk-in orders. - White Castle and In-N-Out Burger appear to allow the offer at their standard service counters/drive-thrus, though specific verification is recommended.
Exclusions and Limitations
Standard exclusions apply to most offers: - Alcohol: Complimentary meals rarely include alcoholic beverages. - Tax and Gratuity: The offer covers the food item only; tax and gratuity are the customer's responsibility. - Combining Offers: Most terms state that the free offer cannot be combined with other discounts, promotions, or happy hour pricing. - Time Restrictions: Some offers are limited to specific hours, such as Texas Roadhouse (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.) or T.G.I. Friday’s (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
Future Visit Vouchers
Several chains utilize Veterans Day to encourage future visits by distributing vouchers valid later in the month or year. - Texas Roadhouse: Vouchers valid through May 2025. - BJ's Restaurants & Brewhouse: An Appetizer Bounce Back deal valid from November 12 to December 31. - Huddle House: While not explicitly a voucher, the offer is a specific meal item.
Conclusion
Veterans Day offers a wide array of complimentary dining opportunities for U.S. veterans and active duty military personnel. The offers are concentrated among major national chains and generally require valid military identification and dine-in service. While the specific menu items and hours vary, the underlying theme is consistent: restaurants provide free meals as a gesture of gratitude for military service. Consumers are advised to verify participation with local locations prior to visiting, as franchise participation can vary.