Comprehensive Guide to Milwaukee Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts for 2025

Veterans Day 2025, observed on Tuesday, November 11, brings a variety of complimentary offers and discounts to honor military service members and veterans in the Milwaukee area. Businesses across the region, including restaurants, retail stores, and cultural institutions, are providing free meals, beverages, admission, and other perks. This guide consolidates the available information from local news sources and event listings to detail the specific freebies and discounts available to veterans and active-duty personnel. All offers typically require proof of service, such as a military ID or DD 214, and are subject to participation by specific locations. The following information is based on publicly reported deals for Veterans Day 2025 and should be verified directly with the establishments prior to use.

Food and Beverage Offers

Numerous national and local restaurant chains are offering complimentary meals and drinks to veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day. These offers are generally valid for dine-in service only and are available during specified hours.

National Restaurant Chains

Several well-known dining establishments are providing free meals or specific menu items. Applebee’s is offering veterans a free meal on November 11. The specific entrées available have not been published, but the offer is restricted to dining-in customers. Chili’s is also providing a free meal to veterans and active service members, applicable to specific menu items and available only through in-restaurant dining. The menu options at Chili’s include chicken tenders and fries, quesadilla, burger and fries, or soup and salad.

Denny’s is offering a free Original Grand Slam to all active and retired military personnel at participating locations from 5 a.m. to noon on Veterans Day. A valid military ID or DD 214 is required to receive the meal. IHOP is providing a free Red, White and Blue pancake combo for veterans and active-duty military at participating restaurants. This combo includes two buttermilk pancakes with strawberries, blueberry topping, and whipped cream; two eggs; hash browns; and a choice of two strips of bacon or pork sausage links. This offer is dine-in only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Veterans Day and requires a military ID or proof of service.

Outback Steakhouse is offering a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product with the purchase of any adult entrée. Red Lobster is providing a free order of Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, fries, and coleslaw for dine-in service from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Veterans Day. Golden Corral is hosting a “Military Appreciation Night,” offering a free meal and beverage to all veterans and active-duty service members. Bar Louie is offering a free burger (excluding the Big Louie) for dine-in only, with an option to upgrade to the Impossible Burger for $4.

Quick-Service and Casual Dining

Additional quick-service and casual dining options are available. Biggby Coffee is offering military personnel any 16-ounce beverage for $1.99 on November 11. Chipotle is providing a deal from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Veterans Day, where veterans can get a second entrée free. This deal applies to bowls, burritos, salads, and tacos, and a military ID must be presented.

Dunkin' Donuts is offering active-duty service members and veterans a free donut at participating Wisconsin locations on November 11. The offer is redeemable in-store with no purchase necessary. Einstein Bros. Bagels is providing a free hot or iced coffee to veterans and active-duty service members. Wendy’s is offering a free Breakfast Combo during breakfast hours at participating locations for veterans and active-duty military.

Kwik Trip convenience stores are offering a free breakfast combo to all veterans and active-duty military personnel. Hoehn’s Huddle is providing free meals to veterans and active-duty military from November 11 to November 13. Meals are valued up to $25, and a military ID or proof of service is required. The free sub offer mentioned in the source data is available for in-person orders only on Veterans Day, with proof of service required, though the specific restaurant chain is not identified in the provided text.

Retail and Grocery

Festival Foods, a Wisconsin-based grocery chain, is offering a Veterans Day deal on November 11. Veterans visiting any Festival Foods store in Wisconsin can receive 16 free products with a minimum $20 purchase, while supplies last.

Retail and Service Discounts

Beyond food, some businesses are offering discounts on products and services. The Harley-Davidson Museum is offering free admission to all veterans, active-duty military, and their families on Veterans Day. Additionally, the museum is providing 10% off at the Harley-Davidson® Shop and $2 off draft beers and 10% off food and beverages at the connected MOTOR® Bar & Restaurant.

The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is offering eight days of free admission for veterans, active-duty military, and their guests, from Friday, November 9 to Sunday, November 16. This allows veterans to enjoy the natural beauty and trails with family and friends over an extended period.

Professional and Employment Support Services

In addition to recreational and dining offers, some organizations are providing resources to support veterans’ professional endeavors. Saturn Lounge and Staffing Partners are collaborating to host a Free Professional Portrait Day. This event, designed to support veterans in their professional journeys, will provide high-quality portraits suitable for resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and other professional platforms. Staffing Partners will also offer on-site job resources for veterans seeking employment or career advancement opportunities. The event is scheduled to take place at Staffing Partners, located at 2217 S 1st St, Milwaukee, WI 53207, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Veterans Day.

Important Considerations for Veterans

While the listed offers are extensive, veterans should be aware of several key points when planning to use these freebies and discounts.

Proof of Service

Almost all offers require some form of proof of service. This typically includes a military ID, VA card, DD 214 discharge papers, or other official documentation. It is advisable to carry valid identification to ensure eligibility. The sources emphasize that all places require proof of service unless otherwise noted.

Location and Participation

Many of the offers are valid only at participating locations. National chains often have varying policies by franchise or region. It is crucial to check with the specific location beforehand to confirm participation in the Veterans Day promotion. For example, the source for Denny’s and IHOP specifies “participating locations,” indicating that not all restaurants may be honoring the offer.

Timing and Availability

Several offers are time-sensitive. For instance, Chipotle’s offer is valid from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Red Lobster’s offer is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Denny’s is from 5 a.m. to noon. Some offers, like those from Hoehn’s Huddle, extend beyond Veterans Day itself (November 11-13). Others, like the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center admission, span a longer period (November 9-16). Festival Foods’ offer is subject to supply availability.

Dine-In vs. Takeout

Many restaurant offers are restricted to dine-in service only. This is explicitly stated for Applebee’s, Chili’s, IHOP, Bar Louie, and others. Takeout or delivery may not be eligible for the free meal promotions.

Purchase Requirements

Some offers require a purchase to receive the free item. For example, Outback Steakhouse’s free Bloomin’ Onion requires the purchase of any adult entrée. Festival Foods requires a minimum $20 purchase to receive 16 free products. Hoehn’s Huddle offers meals up to $25 in value but does not specify if a purchase is required, though proof of service is.

Conclusion

Milwaukee’s Veterans Day 2025 landscape is rich with opportunities for veterans and active-duty military personnel to receive free meals, beverages, admission to attractions, and even professional development resources. The offers span a wide range of establishments, from national fast-food chains and casual dining restaurants to local museums and grocery stores. To maximize these benefits, veterans should prepare their proof of service, verify participation and timing with specific locations, and be mindful of dine-in requirements and potential purchase minimums. This compiled information serves as a guide based on reported deals for the 2025 holiday, encouraging individuals to take advantage of the community’s gratitude and appreciation for their service.