This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.

Veterans Day is Wednesday!! To celebrate there are tons of restaurants and retail stores offering FREE meals and discounts for veterans and active military to enjoy.
Note: All of the deals are available on Wednesday, 11/11 unless otherwise noted.
Here are a few things to note for those wishing to participate in Free meals and discounts on Veteran’s Day:
Bring your military or veteran’s ID (Military ID Card, Driver’s License, a photo in uniform, wear your uniform) and also call ahead to make sure the store or restaurant you’re going to is participating.
Enjoy all of these freebies and thank you for your service!
Free Dining Deals
Applebee’s: Free entree from a special Veterans Day menu (options include the Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, 6 oz. Top Sirloin and Chicken Tenders). Dine-in only, beverage and gratuity not included. Plus, receive a $5 Bounce Back Card to use on a future visit (dine-in, to go or delivery) from 11/12 through 11/29/26.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with dine-in, plus receive a FREE appetizer coupon for use 11/12 through 12/31/26 (dine-in or takeout, no minimum purchase).
Blaze Pizza: Free one-topping pizza for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations.
Bob Evans: Free meal from select menu with dine-in only.
Bonefish Grill: Active-duty service members, veterans and their families get a complimentary order of Bang Bang Shrimp with a non-alcoholic beverage on November 11 with valid ID, plus get 10% off all day, every day.
Bruegger’s Bagels: Veterans and active-duty military get a free hot or iced coffee (any size) with an in-store purchase.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Free order of 10 Boneless Wings and Fries for veterans and active-duty service members with valid ID or WeSalute+ card. Valid for dine-in, GO orders and in-person counter orders only.
California Pizza Kitchen: Veterans and active-duty military members get a complimentary entree from a special menu and a non-alcoholic beverage on November 11, dine-in only. You’ll also get a Buy One Get One FREE pizza, pasta or salad offer to use on a return visit 11/12 through 11/25.
Carolina Ale House: Free Half Rack Rib Platter for veterans, dine-in at participating North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee locations.
Carrabba’s: Complimentary appetizer or dessert paired with a non-alcoholic beverage for veterans and active-duty military with show of ID.
Chicken Salad Chick: Veterans and active military get 50% off a Chick Meal (scoop or sandwich, one side and a fountain drink). Show military ID or wear your uniform.
Chili’s: FREE meal from select Veterans Day menu, dine-in only at participating locations.
Chipotle Mexican Grill: Active-duty service members and veterans get FREE chips plus your choice of guacamole, Queso Blanco or salsa with a $5+ purchase, all day. In-restaurant only; proof of service required at checkout.
Circle K: One free medium hot or iced coffee, no purchase necessary. Show valid military ID at purchase.
Cracker Barrel: Free Sunrise Pancake Special at participating locations with proof of service. Plus, 25% off the military retail collection in the Old Country Store through 11/12.
Dave & Buster’s: Veterans and active-duty military with valid ID get free unlimited game play all day (no tickets earned; purple swipe games excluded), plus a free dessert with entree purchase.
Denny’s: Free Original Grand Slam from 5am to noon for veterans and active-duty military with valid military ID. Dine-in only.
Dickey’s BBQ Pit: Veterans and active-duty military get a free Pulled Pork Sandwich with valid military ID. Dine-in or carryout, limit one per guest.
Dunkin’ Donuts: Active and retired military get a free donut at participating locations. In-store only, one per guest while supplies last; not valid on mobile app orders.
Einstein Bros. Bagels: Veterans and active-duty military get a free hot or iced coffee (any size) with any purchase.
Fazoli’s: Free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce using code VET26, no purchase necessary.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Veterans and active military personnel who visit Freddy’s on Veterans Day will receive a FREE Freddy’s Combo meal card. No purchase is necessary. Cards may be redeemed through November 25, 2026!
Golden Corral: Military Appreciation Night will be held on Wednesday, 11/11 from 4pm to close. Includes a free thank you buffet and beverage for active-duty, retired and veteran military personnel. Dine-in only.
Hickory Tavern: Free entree from a select menu at participating Carolina locations, no purchase necessary.
IHOP: Free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo from 7am to 7pm, dine-in only at participating restaurants. Military ID or proof of service required.
Little Caesars: Free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo (four slices of Detroit-style deep dish pizza and a 20 oz. Pepsi) from 11am to 2pm. Bring your military ID, DD-214 or veteran designation on your driver’s license.
Logan’s Roadhouse: Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal from the Veterans Day menu from 11am – 3pm with proof of service.
LongHorn Steakhouse: 10% off your meal plus a FREE appetizer or dessert with valid military ID, dine-in and call-ahead orders at participating locations.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: Get your first 6oz froyo FREE on Veterans Day with valid ID.
Mission BBQ: FREE sandwich for veterans on Veterans Day. Bring your ID and/or proof of service, and join them at noon for the live National Anthem.
Olive Garden: Free entree from a select Veterans Day menu (choices like Chicken Parmigiana and Fettuccine Alfredo), dine-in only.
Outback Steakhouse: From 11/10 to 11/11, active-duty military and veterans get a FREE Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product or 16 oz. domestic draft beer with dine-in. Dine Rewards members who scan their account also earn a free Hero’s Meal for a future visit.
Perkins: Free Magnificent Seven Breakfast Meal at participating locations with valid military ID.
Pilot / Flying J: Free sandwich plus a coffee or fountain drink through the Pilot app at participating locations. Verify your status through ID.me in the app.
Red Lobster: Veterans and active-duty military get free Veteran’s Shrimp & Chips with valid military ID, WeSalute+ card or proof of service. Dine-in only.
Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty military get a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries with valid ID or proof of service. Dine-in only at participating locations.
Ruby Tuesday: Free Everyday Fresh Meal (up to $17.99) with your choice of 13 entrees, The Garden Bar and a bottomless drink. For veterans, active duty, Reserve and National Guard with proof of service; dine-in only at participating locations.
Shake Shack: Free single ShackBurger with proof of service, in-Shack orders only.
Shane’s Rib Shack: Free Chopped BBQ Pork or Chicken Plate, one per veteran, dine-in at participating locations.
Sheetz: All veterans and active-duty military get a free half turkey sub (extras & add-ons included) and a regular size fountain drink at any location, plus a FREE car wash where available.
Shoney’s: Veterans and active-duty military get a free Legendary Breakfast Bar from opening until 11am. Dine-in only at participating locations; proof of service required.
Sonny’s BBQ: One FREE Pork Big Deal per veteran with valid military ID or proof of service. Available for dine-in, takeout and drive-thru (not valid for online or third-party delivery orders).
Starbucks: Free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced brewed coffee for veterans, military service members and military spouses at participating stores.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe: Free Grilled Chicken Gyro for veterans.
TCBY: Get your first 6oz froyo FREE on Veterans Day with valid ID.
Texas Roadhouse: Stop by from 11am – 2pm with proof of service to pick up a FREE meal voucher. Vouchers are good through May 31, 2027 for one of 10 entrees (including a 6 oz. sirloin), two sides and a drink. This is for active duty and veterans.
TGI Fridays: Free entree from a select menu from 11am to 7pm, dine-in at participating U.S. locations.
Tijuana Flats: 50% off an adult entree for in-store orders with valid ID ($9.99 minimum) using code VETDAY26.
Twin Peaks: Free entree from a select menu all day, dine-in with valid military ID. Plus, 20% off for military all through November.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux: Free Scholarship Burger for veterans and active-duty military, dine-in only.
Wendy’s: Free Dave’s Single for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations, dine-in or drive-thru.
White Castle: Free individual combo meal or breakfast combo meal for all veterans and active-duty service members at participating locations.
Other Freebies & Discounts
Academy Sports + Outdoors — Active-duty service members and veterans get 10% off the entire purchase online or in-store 10/30 thru 11/11.
Food Lion – 10% off in-store on November 11 with military ID and your MVP card. Exclusions apply.
Great Clips: Veterans and active service members can go into any Great Clips salon on 11/11 and get a free haircut or a free haircut card for a future visit (good through 12/4/26).
Home Depot: Extra 10% off your purchase every day.
Kohl’s – Active and former military personnel, veterans, and their families receive 30% off in-store purchases on 11/10 and 11/11. Valid military ID is required; exclusions apply.
Lowe’s: Extra 10% off your purchase everyday.
National Parks – Free entry November 11th for U.S. citizens and residents.
Publix – 10% off groceries for veterans, active duty and their families with proof of service on November 11.
Rack Room Shoes – Military personnel and their dependents get a 20% discount off their entire in-store purchase on November 11.
Sea World and Busch Gardens – Active-duty military can still claim free single-day tickets for themselves plus up to three dependents through 12/31/26 at select parks (blackout dates apply), plus discounted tickets for veterans. Verify through ID.me.
Sport Clips – Free haircut on November 11th for veterans and active duty at participating locations.
Target – Target Circle members who are verified military, veterans and their families get 20% off one qualifying purchase, 11/5 through 11/11.
Under Armour – Active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses and military family members get 20% off their purchases year-round. Verify here.
Walgreens – Extra 20% off eligible regular price items, November 8 thru 11, in-store only.
Winn-Dixie – Veterans, active-duty military and military dependents get 11% off qualifying grocery purchases in-store on November 11 (Florida and south Georgia stores).
See more freebies!
