Memorial Day and Veterans Day are significant occasions in the United States, marked by various businesses offering discounts and complimentary items to honor active duty military members, veterans, and their families. These promotional offers typically span dining, automotive services, and retail. Based on information from recent news reports and press releases, numerous national and regional chains have specific protocols for verifying military status and redeeming these offers.
Memorial Day Dining Offers
During the Memorial Day weekend, several restaurant chains extend gratitude to servicemembers through discounts on food and beverages. These deals often require proof of service, such as a valid military ID, and may apply to specific menu items or entire bills.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s offers a discount to military members and their families during the Memorial Day period. All active and retired military service members and their families dining at participating Applebee’s locations receive a 10% discount off their final bill.
Diego Pops
Located in Old Town Scottsdale, Diego Pops provides a discount specifically for Memorial Day. On Monday, May 26, active military members and veterans receive 20% off all food items. This offer excludes alcohol.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ offers a beverage deal for veterans during Memorial Day. Veterans can purchase a medium refresher for $3. Eligible flavors include Tropical Guava, Strawberry Dragonfruit, Mango Pineapple, and Raspberry Watermelon, with a choice of Lemonade or Sparkling Water.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria extends a discount to military service members and veterans. Guests receive a 15% discount. To obtain this discount, guests must show a military ID. The offer is valid only for dine-in and call-in takeout orders.
Hash Kitchen
Hash Kitchen features a themed cocktail available throughout the Memorial Day weekend. Guests can order an "on the rocks" themed red, white, and blue cocktail for $14.
Kona Grill
Kona Grill offers a broad discount for Memorial Day weekend. Veterans, active-duty military, reserves, first responders, and gold star families receive 20% off food. This discount is valid all weekend long. Proof of military or veteran ID is required.
Denny’s
Denny’s provides a discount on orders placed during the Memorial Day period. Between Friday, May 23, and Sunday, May 25, customers receive $10 off orders of $30 or more.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen offers discounts for military members and veterans at several locations. Discounts can be as high as 50% off some menu items. A valid military ID must be shown at checkout to receive the deal.
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse offers a 20% discount during Memorial Day weekend to active military, veterans, police officers, and firefighters when they show valid ID. Outback also maintains a year-round Heroes Discount of 10% off the bill for military veterans and service members, police, firefighters, first responders, nurses, doctors, and medical staff.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s partners with WeSalute to offer deals to veterans. Veterans enrolled in WeSalute are offered a range of deals on Wendy’s menu items over the Memorial Day weekend. These offers include discounts on hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and other signature menu offerings. The WeSalute program is available to U.S. Military veterans, including Active Duty, Military Retirees, National Guard and Reserve, and their families.
Veterans Day Dining Offers
Veterans Day sees a wide variety of free meals and discounts offered to military personnel. These offers are generally valid on November 11 and require proof of service.
BJ’s Restaurants & Brewhouse
On Veterans Day, all active-duty and retired military personnel dining in can receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie dessert with 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 meal to veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day. They can get a free burger and fries. 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 not included.
bellagreen
bellagreen provides a 15% Military Discount every day for active-duty military members and veterans. This discount is available for in-store dining and takeout.
Biggby Coffee
Biggby Coffee offers a beverage discount on Veterans Day. Military personnel can receive any 16-ounce beverage for $1.99.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza offers a free pizza to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day. They can get a free one-topping pizza. Blaze Pizza also donates $1 from every pizza sold that day to Folds of Honor, an organization that provides scholarships to disabled veterans and the spouses and children of fallen veterans.
The Brass Tap
The Brass Tap offers a free burger and fries to veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day.
Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee offers a free breakfast buffet to all veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day at many of its stores. Many stores also offer planned programs, entertainment, or other activities to complement the breakfast event.
IHOP
IHOP offers a Red, White and Blue pancake combo on the house for veterans and active duty military at participating restaurants. This offer is dine-in only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Veterans Day. The combo includes 2 buttermilk pancakes topped with glazed strawberries, blueberry topping, and whipped topping; 2 eggs; hash browns; and a choice of 2 strips of bacon or pork sausage links. Military ID or proof of service is required.
JIFFY LUBE
JIFFY LUBE offers a 50% discount for active and retired military on any oil change. No appointment is necessary. This offer is valid from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Veterans Day at participating locations.
KOHL’S
KOHL’S offers a discount to veterans and active-duty military. They receive 30% off their in-store purchase on November 10 and November 11. Some exclusions apply. Proper identification is required to be eligible, such as a military ID, state-issued ID indicating veteran status, or Form DD 214.
KWIK TRIP
KWIK TRIP offers a free breakfast combo for veterans on Veterans Day. The combo includes a free breakfast sandwich and a 16 fl. oz beverage.
Kings Family Restaurant
On November 11, veterans and active-duty military members get a free meal from a special Veterans Day menu at Kings Family Restaurant.
Kona Grill
On Veterans Day, Kona Grill offers a complimentary entrée up to $49 for veterans and active duty military. Military ID for verification is required.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme offers a free doughnut and small coffee to veterans on November 11. This offer is valid in-shop only at participating locations.
Lazy Dog Restaurants
Lazy Dog Restaurants offers a free Fireside Favorite to active-duty military, discharged, retired, or reserve personnel on November 11.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars offers a free Lunch Combo to veterans and active military on November 11. The offer is valid from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The combo includes four slices of Little Caesars signature Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage.
Logan's Roadhouse
Logan's Roadhouse offers a free meal to veterans and active-duty military members from a Veterans Day menu on November 11. The offer is valid from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Event
On Veterans Day, active-duty military and veterans get a free double cheeseburger with fries and 30 minutes of game play at Main Event. Identification is required.
Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Co.
Marzoni's offers a free 12 oz draft beer or soda to veterans on November 11. One drink per veteran. To receive the draft beer, one must be 21 or older. Proof of service is required.
Max & Erma's
Max & Erma's offers a free cheeseburger to veterans and active-duty military on November 11 at participating locations.
la Madeleine
la Madeleine offers a free entrée to veterans on Tuesday, November 11. A military ID must be shown. This deal is for dine-in only.
Lazy Dog Restaurant
Lazy Dog Restaurant offers a free Fireside Favorite entrée to veterans on Veterans Day. Choices include the BBQ Ranch Bacon Burger, Fried Chicken Dinner, and Mediterranean Chicken Bowl. A personal-sized S’more Brownie Sundae is included for dessert.
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill offers a free meal to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day with valid ID. They also receive a $50 Challenge Coin, which can be used throughout the year for another free meal excluding alcohol. This Challenge Coin is valid on the 11th of every month.
Manhattan Bagel
Manhattan Bagel offers a free hot or iced coffee to all veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day.
Maple Street Biscuit Company
Maple Street Biscuit Company offers a 10% discount to veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day with valid identification.
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant offers 50% off the check to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day at all locations in the Northeast. Locations in Pennsylvania are excluded. Beginning November 12, veterans and active military members can always get a 10% discount when they dine in at a Margaritas location in New England.
Conclusion
Various restaurants and businesses offer significant discounts and free items to military members and veterans during Memorial Day and Veterans Day. These offers generally require proof of service, such as a military ID, and may have specific restrictions regarding location, timing, and eligibility. Consumers are advised to check with specific locations for participation and terms.