Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a national holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring military veterans. For many service members and veterans in Maryland, the day also brings a variety of free offers and discounts from local and national businesses. These promotions are typically offered as a gesture of gratitude for military service and are available on Veterans Day itself, though specific terms and conditions can vary by location and brand. The offers detailed in the provided source materials are primarily focused on complimentary meals and beverages from restaurant chains, with some additional deals on services and products. Access to these offers generally requires proof of military service, such as a military ID, a veteran ID card, or other official documentation.
The scope of Veterans Day freebies in Maryland, as documented in the source materials, encompasses a wide range of dining establishments, from casual dining restaurants and coffee shops to fast-food chains and specialty eateries. These offers are available across various counties, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George's counties, as well as within Baltimore City. The list includes national brands with widespread presence in the state, such as Applebee's, Chili's, and Denny's, as well as regional or state-specific entities like the Maryland Transit Administration and local franchises of national chains. It is important for veterans to note that while these deals are widely advertised, participation can vary by individual franchise location. Therefore, it is advisable to call ahead to confirm that a specific restaurant is honoring the offer before making a trip.
Eligibility and Required Documentation
To claim Veterans Day freebies, most businesses require proof of military service. The primary form of identification mentioned across multiple sources is a military ID. This could be a Common Access Card (CAC) for active-duty personnel, a Uniformed Services ID Card for retirees and reservists, or a VA-issued veteran ID card. Some businesses may also accept a DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or other official military documentation. The requirement for a military ID or proof of veteran status is consistently noted in the source materials for offers from Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, California Pizza Kitchen, Chili's, Cracker Barrel, and many others.
Notably, some offers have different or no identification requirements. For example, Autobell Car Wash provides a free Ride-Thru Exterior Wash with no ID required, according to Source [3]. This is an exception, as most dining and retail offers explicitly state the need for verification. It is also worth noting that some offers extend beyond just veterans and active-duty personnel. For instance, Applebee's includes reserves and National Guard members in their free entrée offer. Starbucks extends its offer to veterans, service members, and the spouses of service members. These expanded eligibility criteria are specific to the individual business and should be confirmed directly.
Restaurant and Dining Offers
A significant portion of Veterans Day freebies in Maryland are centered on complimentary meals and beverages from restaurants. These offers vary from full entrées to specific menu items like breakfast combos, desserts, or drinks.
Full Meal and Entrée Offers
Several national restaurant chains are offering free full meals to veterans and active-duty military personnel. Applebee's provides a free, full-sized entrée from an exclusive menu for all active-duty military, veterans, reserves, and National Guard members who dine in. Additionally, these customers receive a $5 gift card valid for three weeks, redeemable on a future dine-in, to-go, or delivery order. Bob Evans offers veterans and active-duty members a free meal from a select menu that includes classic breakfast items, buttermilk hotcakes, and sausage gravy and biscuits. Chili’s provides a free meal from a select dine-in menu for veterans and active military members. Similarly, Outback Steakhouse offers a free Outback Special meal with a side and a beverage for dine-in customers, and Texas Roadhouse provides a free meal voucher redeemable for dine-in or carry-out by May 30, 2026. Other restaurants with full meal offers include Denny’s, which serves a free Original Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon, and IHOP, which offers a free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Specific Menu Item Offers
Some restaurants are providing free specific items rather than a full entrée. For example, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse is serving a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie (a large cookie dessert) to veterans and active-duty members. Another Broken Egg Cafe offers a free Patriot French Toast and coffee for veterans dining in. California Pizza Kitchen allows veterans and active-duty military to choose one entrée from a special Veterans Day menu (dine-in only). Cracker Barrel provides a free sunrise pancake special, which includes pancakes, eggs, and breakfast meat, while supplies last (dine-in only). Buffalo Wild Wings offers 10 free Boneless wings and Fries with a valid military ID for dine-in and walk-in customers at participating locations. Chipotle has a "buy one, get one free" offer on entrées for veterans and active-duty military from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (dine-in only). TGIFridays offers a free meal between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Dessert and Beverage Offers
Beyond meals, several businesses are offering free desserts or beverages. Dunkin’ provides a free doughnut to active and retired military members. Krispy Kreme offers a free doughnut and small coffee. Starbucks gives veterans, service members, and spouses of service members a free 12-ounce coffee. These offers are typically for in-store customers and require proof of service.
Non-Food Related Freebies and Deals
While most of the documented offers are for food and beverages, there are also some non-dining freebies and discounts available for veterans in Maryland on Veterans Day 2025.
Service-Based Offers
Great Clips, a national salon chain, is hosting its "Thank a Veteran" program, offering a free haircut to those who have served. If a veteran is unable to get a haircut on the day, they can still receive a free haircut card to use at a later date. Great Clips has salons in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard counties. Another service-based offer is from the Maryland Transit Administration, which is providing free rides on the Commuter Bus, Light Rail, MARC Train, Local Bus, Metro Subway, and mobility services on Veterans Day. This allows veterans to travel to various locations to take advantage of other freebies without incurring transit costs.
Retail and Product Discounts
Some retailers are offering discounts rather than free products. Harris Teeter provides an 11% discount on grocery purchases for veterans and active-duty military members. Atlas Restaurant Group offers a 50% discount on the check for parties of eight or less. Autobell Car Wash provides a free Ride-Thru Exterior Wash with no ID required. For veterans interested in gaming, Dave & Buster’s offers a free entrée and a $10 Power Card for games to military members, veterans, and first responders at their locations in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. Hard Rock Cafe in the Inner Harbor provides complimentary classic smash burgers for veterans and active members. Kona Grill, located in the Inner Harbor, gives active and past military members free entrees, provided the entree is not over $49. Sheetz, a convenience store chain, offers free half turkey subs and a regular-size fountain drink, and if the location has a car wash, veterans and active-duty military can get a free car wash. Wendy’s provides a free breakfast combo (sandwich, potatoes, and beverage) for veterans and those currently serving.
Important Considerations and Best Practices
When planning to take advantage of Veterans Day freebies in Maryland, there are several important factors to consider to ensure a smooth experience.
Location and Participation
Many of the businesses listed are national chains, but individual franchise locations may have the discretion to participate or not. The sources repeatedly advise calling ahead to confirm that a specific local franchise is honoring the Veterans Day offer. This is especially important for offers that are not universally mandated by the corporate office.
Timing and Availability
Most offers are valid only on Veterans Day, which is Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Some offers have specific time windows, such as Chipotle’s 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. promotion or Denny’s 5 a.m. to noon breakfast offer. Others, like the Texas Roadhouse voucher, have a later redemption deadline. For items that are "while supplies last," such as Cracker Barrel’s pancake special, arriving earlier in the day may increase the chances of availability.
Proof of Service
As noted, a military ID or other proof of veteran status is required for the vast majority of offers. Veterans should ensure they have the appropriate documentation with them when visiting a participating establishment. The absence of proper ID may result in being denied the offer, even if the individual is a verified veteran.
Scope of Offers
It is crucial to understand that the offers documented here are specific to Veterans Day 2025 in Maryland. They do not represent a year-round program of free samples or trials. This article is a snapshot of promotional activity for a single holiday. For consumers interested in ongoing free samples, product trials, or mail-in sample programs in categories like beauty, baby care, pet food, health, and household goods, they would need to consult other resources, as the provided source material does not cover those topics.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2025 in Maryland presents a diverse array of free meal and discount opportunities from a wide range of businesses, primarily in the restaurant and service sectors. The offers are a tangible way for local and national companies to express gratitude to military personnel. Key takeaways for veterans and active-duty members include the requirement to present a military ID or proof of service, the importance of verifying participation with individual franchise locations, and the need to be aware of specific timeframes and availability for certain items. While these freebies are limited to the holiday itself and do not constitute ongoing sample programs, they provide a valuable day of recognition and complimentary services for those who have served.