Veterans Day provides an annual opportunity for military service members and veterans to access a variety of complimentary meals and discounts from national restaurant chains and local establishments. Based on current promotional data for 2025, numerous brands have structured offers ranging from free entrees to discounted beverages, often requiring specific forms of identification or proof of service. These promotions typically apply to dine-in customers on November 11, though some brands extend the availability to drive-thru or mobile app orders.
The following guide details the specific offers available to veterans and active-duty military personnel, including eligibility requirements, redemption methods, and participating locations.
National Chain Offers
Several major national restaurant chains have confirmed free meal offers for Veterans Day. These deals generally require guests to present a valid military ID or other proof of service, such as a VA card or discharge papers.
Breakfast and Bakery Options
For those seeking morning meals, Krispy Kreme offers a free small hot or iced coffee and a free doughnut of the customer's choice on Veterans Day. This deal is valid in shops and at the drive-thru with no purchase necessary, limited to one per guest.
Bruegger’s Bagels and Manhattan Bagel both provide free hot or iced coffee of any size to veterans and active-duty service members. The offer at Bruegger’s is valid in stores, through the mobile app, or online using the code FREECOFFEE. No purchase is required.
Einstein Bros. Bagels follows a similar structure, offering a free hot or iced coffee (any size) in stores, on the mobile app, or online using code FREECOFFEE. This offer requires no purchase.
IHOP is offering a free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo, which includes two buttermilk pancakes topped with strawberries, blueberry topping, and whipped topping, plus two eggs, hash browns, and a choice of bacon or sausage links. This offer is valid for dine-in only and requires proof of military service.
Cracker Barrel provides veterans and active-duty military dining in on November 11 with a free Sunrise Pancake Special, consisting of a pair of buttermilk pancakes served with fresh eggs or breakfast meat. Proof of military service is required, and the limit is one per order.
Lunch and Dinner Entrees
Red Lobster offers a free Shrimp & Chips entrée, which includes Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, fries, and coleslaw, to veterans, active-duty military, and reserves who show proof of service.
Dave & Buster’s provides veterans and active-duty military with a free entrée (up to a $20 value) plus a $10 Power Card for gameplay all day on Veterans Day. A valid military ID is required.
Dog Haus offers a free Haus Dog to veterans who dine in on November 11. Proof of service is required, with a limit of one per person at participating locations.
Eddie Merlot’s gives veterans and active-duty service members a free Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger with Fries for dine-in customers only, requiring a valid military ID or proof of service.
Famous Dave’s provides military personnel and veterans with a free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich Lunch with a choice of side. To redeem, use the code VETERAN25 at checkout.
Farmer Boys offers a free $4 Big Cheese burger to veterans and active-duty military personnel. Customers must show valid proof of service and have or download the Very Important Farmer App.
Fazoli’s provides veterans and active-duty military with free Spaghetti with Marinara or Meat Sauce when dining in with code VET25.
The Brass Tap offers a free burger and fries to 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, and tax, alcohol, and gratuity are not included.
Bubbakoo’s Burritos gives veterans and active-duty military members a free Taco Trio on Veterans Day in restaurants with a valid military ID.
Buffalo’s Cafe offers 25% off the meal for veterans and active-duty military when dining in on Veterans Day. A military ID must be presented, or the customer must wear a military uniform; alcohol is excluded.
Buffalo Wild Wings provides 10 free Boneless Wings and Fries to all past and present armed service members with a valid ID on Veterans Day. The offer is good for dine-in and walk-in at participating locations.
California Pizza Kitchen offers a complimentary entrée and beverage from a special prix fixe menu to veterans and active-duty service members when dining in at participating CPK locations on Veterans Day.
Chipotle is not offering a direct free meal but allows guests to round up their order total to the next highest dollar amount to donate to the United Service Organizations (USO). This "Round Up for Real Change" feature is available on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com from Tuesday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 16.
la Madeleine provides veterans with a free entrée on November 11 when they show a military ID. The deal is valid for dine-in only.
Lazy Dog Restaurant offers veterans a free Fireside Favorite entrée on Veterans Day. Choices include the BBQ Ranch Bacon Burger, Fried Chicken Dinner, and Mediterranean Chicken Bowl, accompanied by a personal-sized S’more Brownie Sundae for dessert.
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill allows veterans and active-duty military personnel to eat free on Veterans Day with valid ID. Additionally, they receive a $50 Challenge Coin, which can be used throughout the year for another free meal (excluding alcohol) on the 11th of every month.
Main Event provides veterans and active-duty service members with a free double cheeseburger and fries, plus 30 minutes of game play on Veterans Day. A valid military ID is required.
Tender Greens offers veterans and their family members 50% off any order on Veterans Day. This discount applies to food and non-alcoholic beverages and is valid for up to 8 people for dine-in and takeout orders. It excludes online or third-party delivery orders.
Teriyaki Madness gives veterans and active-duty military a free bowl of their choice on Veterans Day. Valid military ID or proof of service is required at participating locations.
TGI Fridays offers veterans with a valid military ID a free meal when dining in from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Veterans Day. Menu choices include Cheeseburger with fries, Chicken Fingers with fries and coleslaw, Chicken Caesar Salad, Half Rack of Ribs with choice of side, or Cajun Shrimp & Chicken Pasta (half portion).
Thompson Restaurants provides veterans with 15% off their meal on Veterans Day and every day with valid military ID at the 60+ locations across Thompson Restaurants’ 14 brands, including Matchbox, Milk & Honey, Makers Union, and Hen Quarter in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Tocaya offers veterans and their families 50% off on Veterans Day. This offer is valid on food and non-alcoholic beverages only for up to 8 people for dine-in and takeout orders, excluding online or third-party delivery orders.
Torchy’s Tacos offers a free meal to veterans and active-duty military on November 11. Guests must present a valid military ID.
Huey Magoo’s provides veterans and active-duty military members with a free 3-Piece Tender Meal with the purchase of a regular beverage on Veterans Day. To get the deal, guests must show their active duty Military or Veteran ID, or active duty discharge document.
Hurricane Grill & Wings offers veterans and active-duty military a complimentary entrée on Veterans Day. Choices include 10 Bone-In Wings, Beer-Battered Fish & Chips, Steakburger, Chicken Caesar Salad, Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and Chicken BLT Tacos. A military ID must be presented, or the customer must wear a military uniform.
Kona Grill provides veterans with a free entrée (max value $75) on Tuesday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day. ID is required, and the offer is valid for dine-in only.
Juice It Up! offers veterans and active-duty service members a free medium classic smoothie. This offer is valid in-store only and requires proof of service.
Beverage and Snack Offers
Starbucks provides veterans, service members, and military spouses with a free tall 12-ounce brewed coffee (hot or iced) at participating stores in the U.S. Cold Brew is not included. The offer is valid at cafés and drive-thru only. A second source reiterates that Starbucks offers veterans and active-duty military members, reservists, and military spouses a free tall hot brewed coffee, requiring a valid military ID or proof of service at the time of order.
Local and Regional Offers
In addition to national chains, local establishments often participate in Veterans Day promotions.
American Legion Post 32 in Longmont is hosting a Veterans Day Dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. at 315 S. Bowen St. Flatirons Young Marines will assist in serving meals. More information is available at https://bit.ly/3lkLu4l.
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, located at 4928 Thompson Pkwy. in Johnstown, is giving veterans a free All-American Burger from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (970) 667-4978.
Applebee’s Bar and Grill at 4100 W. 10th St. is offering veterans a free meal from a select menu. Participants must provide a valid military ID or proof of service.
History Colorado Center offers free admission to veterans from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1200 N. Broadway, Denver. A valid military ID or proof of service is required. More information is available at www.historycolorado.org.
Eligibility and Redemption Rules
Most Veterans Day offers require specific documentation to verify military status. Acceptable forms of identification typically include:
- Valid military ID card
- VA card
- Discharge papers (DD214)
- Wearing a military uniform (accepted by some establishments)
Proof of service generally refers to documentation confirming veteran or active-duty status. It is important to note that offers are subject to change and may vary by location. Customers are advised to call ahead to confirm participation at their local restaurant.
Most offers are restricted to dine-in customers on November 11, 2025. Some brands, such as Krispy Kreme and Starbucks, extend their offers to drive-thru services. Mobile app orders are accepted by brands like Bruegger’s Bagels and Einstein Bros. Bagels, often requiring a specific promo code.
Certain offers exclude alcohol, tax, and gratuity. Additionally, some promotions are limited to specific menu items or have a maximum value cap, such as the $20 limit on Dave & Buster’s entrée offer.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2025 features a wide array of free meals and discounts from national chains and local establishments. The offers primarily target veterans, active-duty military personnel, and sometimes their families, requiring valid identification or proof of service for redemption. While many deals are limited to dine-in service on November 11, several brands offer flexibility through drive-thru or mobile app channels. Consumers should verify specific terms and conditions, including participating locations and required documentation, directly with the restaurant before visiting.