Veterans Day 2025, observed on Tuesday, November 11, brings a variety of complimentary meals, discounts, and freebies for U.S. veterans, active-duty military personnel, and in some cases, their spouses and families. Numerous restaurants and businesses across the country participate in these annual appreciation programs, offering everything from free breakfast items and coffee to full entrées and discounted merchandise. Most offers require valid proof of military service, such as a military ID, and are available for dine-in only at participating locations unless otherwise specified. The following summary outlines verified offers based on available information, focusing on food and beverage establishments and select retail discounts.
Restaurant and Food Service Offers
Many national restaurant chains offer free meals or significant discounts on Veterans Day. These offers generally apply to veterans and active-duty service members, with some extending to spouses or family members. Participation varies by location, and most deals are valid only on November 11, 2025.
Breakfast and Coffee Offers
Several chains focus on morning meals and beverages for veterans starting their day.
- Dunkin': Veterans and active military members can receive a free donut at participating locations on November 11, 2025. No purchase is required, but proof of service is necessary.
- Krispy Kreme: Offers veterans and active military personnel a free small hot or iced coffee and a free donut of their choice on November 11. This deal is available at participating U.S. stores.
- McDonald's: Provides a free breakfast meal to current and former military members with a valid military ID all day on November 11. The offer includes an Egg McMuffin meal, which comes with a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea, or coffee. This promotion is valid for dine-in and drive-thru only and is not available through the McDonald’s app.
- Starbucks: Honors veterans, active military, and their spouses with a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced coffee on November 11. Valid at participating U.S. stores and licensed locations; proof of service is required.
- Wendy's: Offers a free Sausage, Egg and Cheese English Muffin, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, or Breakfast Baconator combo during breakfast hours. No purchase is required. Combos include a small order of seasoned potatoes and a drink.
Lunch and Dinner Combos
For midday and evening meals, several popular chains provide free entrées or special combos.
- Applebee's: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free meal from a select menu on November 11 at participating locations.
- Chili's: Offers a free entrée for veterans and active-duty military on November 11 at participating locations.
- Friendly's: Provides a free lunch or dinner entrée for veterans on November 11.
- Little Caesars: Offers veterans and active-duty military a complimentary Lunch Combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11. The combo includes four slices of Little Caesars signature Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce beverage. Proof of service is required.
- Olive Garden: Gives a free entrée from a special menu on November 11. This offer is dine-in only.
- Outback Steakhouse: Veterans and active-duty military can receive a free Bloomin' Onion and a beverage on November 11 at participating locations.
- Texas Roadhouse: Offers veterans and active U.S. military personnel a voucher for a free meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11. Proof of service is required.
Other Food and Beverage Offers
Additional restaurants and food stands provide discounted or free items.
- Chipotle: Offers a free burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos for veterans and active-duty military on November 11 at participating locations.
- Freebirds: Provides 50% off any order for military members, veterans, and active-duty service personnel on Veterans Day at participating locations in-store.
- Freddy's: All veterans and current military personnel receive a meal card valid for any free combo meal of their choice on Veterans Day.
- Golden Corral: Holds Military Appreciation Night on Monday, November 11, 2024 (note: 2025 details not explicitly provided, but typically consistent), from 4 p.m. to close. The free "thank you" meal is for any person who has served in the U.S. military, including retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard, or Reserves.
- Green Mill: Offers a free 2-topping personal pizza, desert fire pasta, Western mill burger, or cobb salad with chicken to all veterans.
- Hamburger Stand: Veterans and active-duty military get a free hamburger, regular fries, and small soda on November 11.
- Houlihan's: Offers 50% off select entrees for Veterans Day, available for dine-in only. Eligible items include shrimp scampi, Houlihan's cheeseburger, whole grain veggie burger, meatloaf No. 9, fish and chips, stuffed chicken breast, heartland grilled chicken, and chicken parmesan.
- Hooters: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free entrée from a select menu with the purchase of a beverage on November 11 at participating locations.
- Insomnia Cookies: Offers a free deluxe cookie with a $5 purchase through November 11 with valid military ID, available in-store only.
- MOD Pizza: Provides 50% off a MOD-size pizza or salad for veterans, active-duty military, or spouses on November 11.
- Panera Bread: Veterans and active-duty military can receive a free pastry or bakery item on November 11 at participating locations.
Retail, Entertainment, and Other Discounts
Beyond food, some businesses offer discounts on merchandise, admission to attractions, or other services.
- Blue Star Families and Gold Star Families: Many participating venues offer free admission or special discounts. For example, the Pro Football Hall of Fame offers free admission to all U.S. service members, National Guard members, and veterans plus one guest, along with a 20% discount at the Hall of Fame Store.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: Offers complimentary general admission to active and retired veterans on November 9, 2024 (note: 2025 details not explicitly provided), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's Home): Offers military veterans free admission to Monticello for Veterans Day weekend, November 9-11, 2024 (note: 2025 details not explicitly provided). Admission is for the Gardens and Grounds Pass or the Highlights Tour.
- Montpelier (James Madison's Home): Offers a free one-day property pass to the grounds and a free "Highlights of Montpelier" tour to service members on Veterans Day with a valid military ID.
- Mount Vernon (George Washington's Home): Admits free all active duty, former, or retired military personnel on Veterans Day. Free tickets are available upon arrival and do not extend to family members or guests.
- San Antonio Zoo: Honored active duty, retired, veteran members of the military, National Guard, and reserves with free admission in November 2024 (note: 2025 details not explicitly provided). Up to four immediate family members received 50% off Any Day Tickets.
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, Calif.): Honors all who served with free admission on November 9-11, 2024 (note: 2025 details not explicitly provided).
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
To access these offers, veterans and military members typically need to provide proof of service. Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Military ID: A current or retired military ID card.
- DD214: A Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
- Veteran ID Card: Issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- State-Issued Driver’s License with Veteran Designation: In some cases, this may be accepted.
Most restaurant offers are valid only for dine-in service at participating locations. Drive-thru and app-based redemptions are less common, as seen with McDonald’s specifying that their Veterans Day offer is not valid through the app. Some offers, like those from Insomnia Cookies, require a minimum purchase (e.g., $5 for a free cookie). Others, such as Wendy’s breakfast combo, do not require a purchase.
It is important to verify offer details directly with the participating location, as availability may vary by region and franchise. Offers are subject to change and may not be available at all locations. The Department of Veterans Affairs encourages individuals to confirm with the organization offering the discount or meal.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2025 offers a wide range of free meals and discounts for military members across the United States. From coffee and donuts to full sit-down meals and retail discounts, businesses in various sectors express gratitude through these promotions. Veterans and active-duty personnel should prepare valid proof of service and check with local participating locations for specific terms and availability. These offers provide an opportunity for service members to enjoy complimentary food and services while being recognized for their contributions.