Veterans Day is a national holiday in the United States, observed annually on November 11th, to honor military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Each year, numerous businesses across the country participate in this observance by offering free meals, discounted products, and special services to veterans and active-duty military personnel. These offers are typically available for a limited time, often only on Veterans Day itself, and require proof of military service. The following article compiles and explains the details of available Veterans Day 2025 offers based on information from official business announcements and verified promotional sources.
Restaurants Offering Free Meals and Discounts
A significant portion of Veterans Day promotions comes from the restaurant industry, with many chains and local establishments providing complimentary meals to thank service members.
Free Meals with Valid ID
Many restaurants offer a free meal to veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day. These offers usually require in-person dining, a valid military ID, or other proof of service.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: On November 11, 2025, Buffalo Wild Wings will offer 10 free boneless wings and fries to veterans and active-duty service members with valid identification. This offer is available for dine-in or walk-in orders only at participating locations.
- California Pizza Kitchen (CPK): On November 11, 2025, all veterans and active-duty military personnel can receive a free meal. The offer is valid for one entrée from a special Veterans Day menu. It is available for dine-in only and requires proof of military status.
- Chicken Salad Chick: On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, all veterans and active military members can receive a free meal, which includes one side and a drink. This offer is valid for in-restaurant or drive-thru orders only. It is not valid for online orders or delivery. A military ID or DD214 form must be presented to redeem the offer at all participating locations.
- Chili’s Grill & Bar: On Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, all veterans and active-duty military members can get a free meal. This offer is available at all participating Chili’s restaurants for in-restaurant dining only and is valid for select menu items.
- Chipotle: On Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time, the military community can enjoy a "buy-one, get-one-free" offer. Guests who order one entrée in-restaurant and present a valid military ID will receive a second entrée for free. This promotion applies to bowls, burritos, salads, and taco entrees.
- Krispy Kreme: Veterans and active-duty military personnel can get a free doughnut and coffee on Veterans Day. This offer requires proof of service and is available for dine-in visit on November 11, 2025.
- Outback Steakhouse: Veterans and active-duty military can receive a free Bloomin' Onion and a choice of any Coke product or a 16 oz. domestic draft. This offer is valid with the purchase of an adult entrée from November 9 through November 11, 2025.
- Shoney’s: Veterans and active-duty military can eat free from the breakfast fresh food bar on Veterans Day. This offer is valid on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from open until 11 a.m.
- Sonny’s BBQ: Veterans and active-duty military can receive a free Pork Big Deal on November 11, 2025. To redeem, individuals must verify their status on the Sonny’s BBQ website and sign up for rewards by Sunday, November 9. The offer is for one meal per check, for orders placed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
- Starbucks: On Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, veterans, military service members, and military spouses can enjoy a free tall (12 fl. oz.) brewed coffee (hot or iced). This offer is valid at participating U.S. stores for café and drive-thru orders only.
- TCBY: Veterans and active-duty military can receive their first 6 oz. of frozen yogurt free on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025. A valid ID is required.
- Texas Roadhouse: On Veterans Day, Texas Roadhouse offers free meals to veterans and active-duty military members at participating locations. A free meal voucher is provided on November 11, which can be redeemed in-restaurant or for carry-out through May 30, 2026.
- Viva Chicken: Veterans and active-duty military are served every day of the year, and on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2025, they are honored with special offers.
Free Meals with Purchase or Dine-In
Some offers require a purchase or a dine-in visit to redeem the free item.
- Applebee’s: Veterans can choose one of eight free special Veterans Day meal options and receive a $5 Bounce Back Card. This requires dine-in service and proof of military service on November 11, 2025.
- BJ’s Restaurants: Veterans can get a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with a dine-in purchase and proof of service on November 11, 2025. Additionally, veterans who dine on that date will receive a free appetizer coupon for their next visit, valid through December 31, 2024.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Veterans can receive a free entrée and beverage from the Veterans Day menu with a dine-in visit and proof of service on November 11, 2025.
- City Barbeque: Veterans can get a free sandwich, one side, and a drink with an in-store visit (for dine-in or carryout) and proof of service on November 11, 2025.
- Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub: Veterans can receive a free lunch from the Veterans Day menu with the purchase of any entrée and a military ID on November 10, 2024, from opening through 5 p.m. (Note: This offer is for 2024, and 2025 details may differ.)
- Outback Steakhouse: Requires the purchase of an adult entrée to receive the free Bloomin' Onion and drink.
- TGI Friday’s: Veterans can choose a free meal from a select menu with dine-in visit and proof of service from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 11, 2025.
- Tucanos Brazilian Grill: Veterans can get a free Churrasco Meal with a dine-in purchase of an adult churrasco meal and proof of service from November 11 to November 12, 2024. (Note: This offer is for 2024, and 2025 details may differ.)
- White Castle: Veterans can receive a free Individual Combo Meal with dine-in visit and proof of service on November 11, 2025.
- Wienerschnitzel: Veterans can get a free chili dog, small fries, and small soda with dine-in visit and proof of service on November 11, 2025.
Discounts and Other Restaurant Offers
- Carrabba’s: Offers a 10% discount with dine-in visit and proof of service. This is an ongoing offer, not limited to Veterans Day.
- Kona Grill: Offers 50% off food with dine-in visit and valid ID between November 8 and November 11, 2025.
- La Madeleine: Offers a 30% discount with military ID on November 11, 2025.
- Max & Erma’s: Offers a 25% discount for the entire table with dine-in visit and proof of service on November 11, 2025.
- O’Charley’s: Veterans can get a free meal from a special menu with valid ID on November 11, 2025, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Piccadilly: Offers a 10% discount. This is an ongoing offer.
- Pilot Flying J: Veterans can get a free meal with an app, store visit, and verified proof of service via ID.me through November 11, 2025.
- Qdoba: Offers a 50% discount off a regular entrée with military ID on November 11, 2025.
- Rainforest Cafe: Veterans receive 20% off their meal with an online coupon, dine-in visit, and ID.me verified proof of service on November 11, 2025.
Retail and Shopping Discounts
In addition to food offers, several retailers provide discounts to veterans and active-duty military personnel.
- Home Depot: Veterans receive a 10% discount with verified military status. This is an ongoing offer with a maximum annual benefit of $400.
- Target: Target is offering a 10% military discount through November 11, 2025, to all active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families. The discount can be used on two separate transactions, in-store or online.
- Army & Air Force Exchange Service: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service offers various deals, including 10 cents off every gallon of gas at fuel locations.
Free Services and Other Offers
Some businesses offer non-food services to veterans on or around Veterans Day.
- Goodyear Auto Service and Just Tire: Offer free car care checks through December 31, 2024, valid for everyone. The checks include a visual inspection of tire condition, tread depth, tread pattern, and air pressure, as well as a brake check that includes a visual inspection of brake pads, rotors, shoes, drums, calipers, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, master cylinder, and brake fluid level. (Note: This offer is for 2024, and 2025 details may differ.)
- Sports Clips: Veterans and active-duty military personnel can receive a free haircut on Veterans Day. Specific details for 2025 were not provided in the source data.
Important Considerations for Veterans
When seeking Veterans Day offers, it is important to note the following:
- Proof of Service: Most offers require proof of military service. This can include a military ID, veteran ID card, DD214 form, or other official documentation. Some businesses, like Pilot Flying J, use third-party verification services like ID.me.
- Dine-In vs. Carry-Out: Many restaurant offers are valid for dine-in only. Some, like the Chipotle offer, are available for in-restaurant orders but not for delivery or online orders. Always check the specific terms of each offer.
- Participating Locations: Not all locations of a national chain may participate in Veterans Day promotions. It is advisable to call ahead or check the official website for confirmation.
- Date and Time Restrictions: Offers are often valid only on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, and may have specific time windows (e.g., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Some offers extend through the weekend or have different valid dates.
- Online Verification: Some offers, like the one from Sonny’s BBQ, require signing up for a rewards program or verifying status online before Veterans Day.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2025 will see a wide array of businesses across the United States offering free meals, discounts, and special services to honor military veterans and active-duty personnel. These promotions span the restaurant, retail, and automotive service sectors. To take advantage of these offers, veterans and active-duty military members should prepare to present valid proof of service and be aware of the specific terms, including required purchase, dine-in restrictions, and valid dates for each offer. Checking with individual locations or official brand websites for the most current information is recommended before visiting.