Veterans Day 2017, observed on Saturday, November 11, was marked by a wide array of complimentary offers and discounts from businesses across the United States. These promotions were designed to honor the service of military veterans and active-duty personnel, with many extending eligibility to their spouses and family members. The available offers spanned multiple categories, with restaurants providing free meals and desserts, retailers offering percentage-based discounts, and service-based businesses presenting complimentary haircuts. The scope and eligibility for these deals varied significantly, with some promotions valid only on Veterans Day itself, while others were available on adjacent dates or even throughout a multi-day period. A common requirement across most participating businesses was the presentation of valid military identification, such as a military ID card, a Veterans Affairs card, or proof of service, to verify eligibility.
A significant number of restaurant chains participated in Veterans Day 2017 promotions, offering free entrees, meals, or desserts. The terms for these offers were specific and often required in-person dining at participating locations. For instance, Applebee’s offered a free entrée for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations on November 11. Similarly, Back Yard Burgers provided a free burger for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations on the same day. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse extended its offer over a broader timeframe, allowing military service members to enjoy a free entrée valued up to $12.95 on November 10 and 11. Bob Evans provided a free meal for veterans or active military personnel on November 11. Boston Market’s promotion required a purchase; veterans and active-duty military (and their families) could buy an entrée and drink and receive a free entrée at participating locations on November 10.
Buffalo Wild Wings offered free traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries for veterans and active-duty military on November 11. Calhoun’s provided a free meal for veterans or active military personnel on November 11. California Pizza Kitchen offered a free select entrée for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations on November 11. Chili’s offered a complimentary entrée for veterans and active-duty military service members on November 11, with participating locations providing options such as chicken crispers and chicken bacon ranch quesadillas. Chuck E. Cheese provided a free one-topping personal pizza for veterans at participating locations on November 11. Cici’s Pizza offered a free pizza buffet for veterans or active military personnel on November 11. Cracker Barrel provided a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake for veterans on November 11. Denny’s offered a free Build Your Own Grand Slam for veterans on Friday, November 10. Dunkin’ Donuts provided a free donut for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations on November 11. Famous Dave’s offered a free 2 Meat Combo for veterans or active military personnel on November 11. Friendly’s offered a free breakfast, lunch, or dinner for veterans and active-duty military service members on November 11. Golden Corral provided a free “Thank You” Dinner for veterans from 5-9 PM on November 13. Huddle House offered free Sweet Cakes for veterans or active military personnel on November 11. Hy-Vee provided a free breakfast from 7 AM to 11 AM for veterans or active military personnel on November 11. IHOP offered a free stack of Red, White & Blue pancakes for veterans and active-duty military on Friday, November 10. IKEA offered a free entrée for veterans or active military personnel on November 11. Krispy Kreme offered a free doughnut and small coffee for veterans or active military personnel on November 11. Little Caesars Pizza provided a free $5 Hot-N-Ready Lunch Combo for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations on November 11. Logan’s offered a free entrée for veterans or active military personnel on November 11. Macaroni Grill offered free spaghetti and meatballs for veterans and active-duty military members on November 11. Max & Erma’s offered a free entrée for veterans or active military personnel on November 11.
Chipotle had two distinct Veterans Day offers in 2017. An early promotion on Tuesday, November 7, from 5 PM to close, provided a buy-one-get-one-free offer on burritos, bowls, salads, or tacos for all U.S. military members (active-duty, national guard, and retired military), military spouses with ID, and veterans. This offer was valid for in-restaurant orders at participating locations. On Veterans Day itself, November 11, Chipotle offered a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake to all military veterans.
Beyond restaurants, other businesses offered free services or products. Starbucks offered a free lunch to veterans and active-duty military on November 11, with 10 entrée choices and a non-alcoholic drink included. Great Clips provided a free haircut for military members on Veterans Day, November 11, or a free haircut card to use any day before December 31, 2017. Customers receiving a haircut at any U.S. Great Clips salon on that day also received a free haircut card to give to an active, inactive, or retired military member of any branch, including the National Guard. Sports Clips donated $1 from every haircut service provided at its stores on Veterans Day to a campaign, and select stores offered free haircuts for active-duty military and veterans.
Retailers also participated with discount programs. Target offered a Veterans Day military discount from November 7-11, 2017, providing a 10 percent discount on purchases in-store and on Target.com for all active-duty military, veterans, and their spouse and/or dependent children. To receive the offer, individuals had to visit Target’s Military Verification page, fill out a form, and the coupon would be emailed for one-time use. Walgreens offered a 20% discount off eligible, regular price items in-store only on November 11, 2017, for veterans, active military, and their families. A valid military ID and a Walgreens Balance Rewards card were required. Winn-Dixie offered a Veterans Day military discount on November 11, 2017, providing a 10 percent discount on purchases in-store for all active-duty military, veterans, and their spouse and/or dependent children, with details available at customer service in-store. Dollar General offered all veterans, active military (including National Guard & reserve), and their immediate family members 11% off in-store or online on Saturday, November 11, 2017. For online shopping, the promo code VET17 was required. Home Depot’s 10% military discount was available every day for active-duty personnel and retirees, but on major military holidays like Veterans Day, the offer was extended to all veterans.
Some offers extended beyond Veterans Day itself. For example, the Harley-Davidson Museum offered free admission, and Knott’s Berry Farms in southern California provided free admission starting November 1, with a value up to $75. Chuck E. Cheese’s offer for a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake was noted in one source as being for Veterans Day, while another source listed it as a free one-topping personal pizza. The documentation provides conflicting details about the specific free item from Chuck E. Cheese on Veterans Day.
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