Veterans Day 2016 saw a widespread tradition of businesses offering free meals, discounts, and other freebies to honor United States military veterans and active-duty service members. This article compiles a factual summary of the available offers from the 2016 season, focusing on restaurant promotions and other related deals. The information is drawn from a national listing of offers that were promoted for the 2016 Veterans Day holiday.
Many businesses require proof of military service to qualify for these offers. Acceptable forms of identification typically include a military ID, VA card, or other official documentation. Veterans and active-duty personnel are advised to contact local participating locations to confirm offer details, as participation and specific terms can vary by franchise or region. The following is a non-exhaustive list of establishments that promoted Veterans Day freebies for 2016.
Restaurant Freebies and Meal Offers
A significant number of national and regional restaurant chains offered complimentary meals or specific menu items to veterans and active-duty military personnel on November 11, 2016. These offers were generally valid for dine-in service only and often featured a limited menu.
Full-Service Restaurants: * Applebee’s: Offered a complimentary meal on November 11, 2016, with a limited menu available for dine-in only. Proof of military service was required. * B.J.’s Restaurant: Provided a complimentary entrée under $12.95 for active-duty military and veterans on November 11, 2016. * Bar Louie: Veterans and active military personnel could receive a free appetizer or entrée. * Bob Evans: Offered free meals to veterans from a special menu on November 11, 2016. * Famous Dave’s: On November 11, 2016, all former and current military personnel received a free two-meat combo, which included a choice of two meats from a list of options, one side, and a cornbread muffin. * Texas Roadhouse: Offered a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11, 2016. Veterans could choose from 10 entrées, including a 6-ounce sirloin with two made-from-scratch sides and a choice of Coca-Cola product, sweet tea, iced tea, or coffee. This offer was valid for all veterans, including active, retired, or former U.S. military. * TGIFridays: Provided a free lunch to veterans and active-duty military from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11, 2016. * Yard House: Veterans and active-duty military received a complimentary appetizer on November 11, 2016. * 54th Street Grill: Offered a free entrée to veterans on November 11, 2016. * Arooga’s: Provided free meals from a limited menu on November 11, 2016. * Bakers Square: Offered a complimentary breakfast from a set menu on November 11, 2016. * Bonanza Steakhouses: Provided a free buffet for active-duty and retired military on November 11, 2016. * Golden Corral: Hosted a Military Appreciation Night on November 14, 2016 (the Sunday before Veterans Day). Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard, and reserves could enjoy a free dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. All were welcome to attend. * McCormick & Schmick’s: Offered a free meal for veterans on the Sunday before Veterans Day, which was November 6, 2016. * Tap House Grill: Scored a complimentary meal on November 11, 2016. * Twin Peaks: Active duty and veterans received a free menu item from their Annual Veterans Day Appreciation Menu on November 11, 2016. * Village Inn: Veterans and active military personnel received an Inn-Credible V.I.B. Breakfast on November 11, 2016.
Fast-Casual and Casual Dining: * Ben’s Soft Pretzels: Veterans received a free Jumbo Soft Pretzel at participating locations on November 11, 2016. * Boston Market: Offered a free brownie or cookie with any purchase on November 11, 2016. * Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty service members received a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger on November 11, 2016. The offer was valid for dine-in only and did not count as an item for Red Robin Royalty. Proof of service was required. * Sticky Fingers: Veterans and active military received a free pulled pork sandwich with baked beans and coleslaw all day on November 11, 2016. * White Castle: Veterans and all military members received a free combo meal on November 11, 2016. * Wienerschnitzel: Veterans and active-duty military received a free Chili Dog, small fries, and a 20 oz. drink on November 11, 2016. * World of Beer: All veterans or current service members could get a free select draught beer on November 11, 2016.
Other Freebies and Discounts
Beyond restaurant meals, other businesses offered various freebies and discounts for Veterans Day 2016.
- Haircut Services: Veterans could receive a complimentary haircut or a free haircut card, redeemable until December 31, 2016.
- Esquared Hospitality: The company honored veterans and active military with a 35% discount on the entire menu at BLT Steak and BLT Market on November 11, 2016. This required proof of military ID.
- Travel Centers of America: Military veterans who are CDL holders received a free meal with a beverage on November 11, 2016.
- Westgate Resorts: The company offered 1,000 free vacations. Starting at 9 a.m. EST on November 11, 2016, the first 1,000 qualifying servicemembers who submitted the online military appreciation form and made a fully refundable $75 deposit would receive a free three-day, two-night vacation for up to four individuals at Westgate Town Center from May 5-7, 2017.
- Scottsdale Bullion & Coin: Offered an exclusive 1% discount on all purchases made between November 9 and November 11, 2016, for veterans and active military members. Additionally, throughout November 2016, the company donated a portion of all profits to the American Service Animal Society (ASAS), a nonprofit organization that assists disabled veterans with service animals.
- Starbucks: Provided a free tall-brewed coffee to active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses on Veterans Day as a gesture of thanks.
Important Considerations for Participants
The national listing of offers indicates that not every promotion was valid on November 11, 2016. For example, McCormick & Schmick’s offered its free meal on the Sunday before Veterans Day. Furthermore, some offers may have been limited to specific geographic areas. It was recommended that individuals call ahead to their local participating restaurants to verify the offer’s availability and confirm specific ID requirements, as many locations are independently owned and may have chosen not to participate.
For services such as car washes or oil changes, past trends suggested that some businesses might offer freebies, but verification was necessary. For instance, Turtle Wax Car Wash had offered free car washes on Veterans Day in previous years, and Meineke oil change centers, which are independently owned, may not have participated in a national free oil change offer.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2016 featured a broad array of freebies and discounts from restaurants and other businesses across the United States. The primary focus was on complimentary meals for veterans and active-duty military personnel, with many national chains participating. Other benefits included free haircuts, discounts on purchases, and even a vacation giveaway. The availability of these offers was subject to location and required proof of military service. Consumers were advised to verify details with local businesses, as participation and terms could vary. The tradition of offering Veterans Day freebies serves as a tangible way for businesses to express gratitude for military service.