Veterans Day 2025: Comprehensive Guide to Free Meals, Offers, and Discounts for U.S. Military Members

Veterans Day 2025 presents a significant opportunity for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families to access a wide range of complimentary meals, products, and discounts across the United States. Numerous national brands and restaurant chains have established annual programs to honor military service, offering free food, beverages, retail discounts, and services on and around November 11. This guide compiles verified details from official announcements and promotional materials regarding these offers, focusing on eligibility requirements, redemption processes, and participating locations.

Verified Free Meal Offers for Veterans and Active-Duty Military

A substantial number of restaurant chains offer free meals to veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day. These offers typically require proof of military service, such as a military ID, VA card, or wearing a uniform. Dine-in service is frequently specified, though some brands offer carry-out options or vouchers for later use.

Major Restaurant Chains Offering Free Meals

Red Lobster is offering a complimentary Veterans Shrimp & Chips entrée on November 11, 2025. This meal consists of Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Chesapeake fries, and coleslaw. The offer is valid for dine-in only and requires proof of military service. Taxes and gratuity are not included in the free offer.

Red Robin will provide veterans and active-duty military members with a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger and a choice of Bottomless side on November 11 at participating locations. A valid military ID is required to redeem this dine-in offer.

Little Caesars is continuing its tradition of providing a free HOT-N-READY® Lunch Combo to veterans and active-duty military members. This offer is available on Tuesday, November 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The combo includes four slices of Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage.

Texas Roadhouse will offer retired and active-duty service members a free dine-in or carry-out meal voucher between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on November 11. Distinctively, this voucher is redeemable through May 30, 2026, allowing for future use. Another source confirms the free meal voucher is valid for Veterans Day.

Olive Garden is providing veterans and current military members with a free entrée from a special menu on November 11. Proof of military service is requested.

McDonald's is offering a free breakfast combo, which includes a hash brown and a choice of any size soft drink, coffee, or tea, during breakfast hours. This offer is available to all veterans, active military personnel, and military families.

Starbucks is offering a free 12-ounce hot or iced coffee to retired and active-duty service members and military spouses in-store and at the drive-thru on Veterans Day. Another source specifies a free tall coffee for veterans and military spouses.

Mission BBQ offers a free sandwich on Veterans Day for veterans. The brand also invites customers to join them at noon for the live National Anthem.

O’Charley’s will provide veterans and active-duty military with a free entrée, such as Salisbury steak or shrimp scampi, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both November 10 and November 11. Participants will also receive a $5 reward card for their next visit.

Logan’s Roadhouse offers active-duty military and veterans one free meal from the Veterans Day menu on Tuesday, November 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with proof of service.

Golden Corral is hosting a Military Appreciation Night with a free buffet dinner for veterans and active-duty military members.

IHOP is offering a free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo.

Krispy Kreme provides a free doughnut and coffee, with no ID required for this specific offer.

LongHorn Steakhouse offers a 10% discount plus a free appetizer or dessert.

Outback Steakhouse is offering a free 3-Course Aussie Meal on November 10 and 11.

Playa Bowls is offering free bowls to veterans, active duty, and retired military personnel with a valid ID on November 11. Guests can choose from various superfruit bowls.

Scooter’s Coffee is offering a free medium drink to veterans and active-duty military members with a valid military ID on November 11 at participating locations.

Shake Shack is offering a free Big Shack burger to active and retired military personnel who show a military ID on the holiday.

Smokey Bones is providing veterans and active-duty military members with a free entrée and one regular side on November 11 for dine-in guests.

Salad and Go is offering a free salad or wrap to veterans and active-duty military members with a valid ID on November 11. The brand will also launch an ongoing 10% discount for veterans starting November 12.

Ruby Tuesday is offering veterans and active-duty military members with a valid ID a free Garden Bar Entrée or Garden Bar Add-On.

White Castle is offering a free combo or breakfast meal.

Wienerschnitzel is offering a free Original Chili Dog, fries, and soda.

Pilot Flying J is offering a free breakfast/lunch combo, which is redeemable through ID.me in the app.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is offering a free drink for military members and spouses.

Bruegger’s Bagels is offering free hot or iced coffee.

Round Table Pizza is offering veterans and active-duty military members 15% off their order with the code RTP321 at participating locations through November 14. This offer is valid for dine-in, carryout, and delivery.

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina is offering 20% off all food items for veterans and active-duty military members.

Retail and Service Discounts

In addition to food offers, several retail and service providers are offering discounts to military members.

Target is offering retired and active-duty service members and their families 10% off two storewide purchases in-store or online through November 11. This requires verification through the Target Circle app.

Walgreens is offering retired and active-duty service members 20% off eligible regular-priced items in-store from November 8 to 11. Another source confirms a 20% discount on regularly priced items with military ID and a myWalgreens account.

Academy Sports is offering 10% off online or in-store for retired and active-duty service members and first responders through November 11.

Tractor Supply is offering a 10% discount on November 11.

Great Clips is offering a free haircut or a haircut card for military personnel. Civilians can receive a “thank a veteran” card to pass along.

Staples is offering 25% off in-store purchases with a military ID.

General Freebies and Promotional Offers

While the provided source material focuses heavily on Veterans Day, it also touches upon other types of free offers available to consumers.

Birthday Freebies

In a specific regional example, Denny's requires users to download the Denny's App to claim a birthday treat. Everhot Hot Pot Restaurant offers a free mocha mouse cake for birthdays. Campus deals in Moscow, Idaho, include a free water bottle for a 21st birthday at the Student Recreation Center. Local businesses such as The Breakfast Club offer "Birthday Pancakes," while Red Star Coffee Company and Café Artista offer bonus points or free drinks through point systems and punch cards.

Real Estate Agent Freebies

For real estate professionals, free resources are available to enhance productivity. DottoTech Videos on YouTube, hosted by Steve Dotto, provide free tutorials on topics such as Google Maps, Google Docs, Zoom, and graphics. Additionally, Zoom is highlighted as a useful free tool for conducting virtual appointments, allowing agents to manage listings remotely.

Verification Services

To access many of these discounts, consumers may need to verify their status through third-party services. SheerID and ID.me are mentioned as platforms for verifying military status to access discounts on travel, wireless services, and retail offers. Pilot FlyingJ specifically uses ID.me for its free meal combo offer.

Conclusion

Veterans Day 2025 offers a diverse array of free meals and discounts for military members across the United States. The offers detailed above, ranging from full meals at major restaurant chains to retail discounts and service perks, require specific proof of military service. Consumers are advised to confirm participation with local locations and to have valid identification ready. While many offers are available exclusively on November 11, some brands extend their promotions over several days or provide vouchers for future use.