21 Food Freebies Veterans and Active-Duty Military Can Claim This Veterans Day
These chains are offering free meals to say thanks on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
Photo courtesy of Starbucks
Veterans Day, celebrated each year on November 11 (a Saturday this year), provides an opportunity to honor U.S. veterans and active-duty military personnel by attending a parade or event, visiting a VA hospital, making a donation to a veterans-supporting organization or offering thanks directly to the veterans and active service members in our lives.
It also brings veterans and active or retired service members the chance to enjoy free meals or menu items at restaurants, coffee shops, convenience stores and other chains wishing to show their gratitude to military members who bravely and proudly serve or have served our country.
Here are some food-and-drink freebies and deals veterans, active-duty military and/or their spouses can enjoy this year on the holiday that honors their service:
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings
Applebee’s: This year, for the 16th consecutive year, Applebee’s will offer a complimentary meal to veterans on Veterans Day. The chain will provide all Active-Duty Military, Veterans, Reserves and National Guard with an in-restaurant complimentary full-size entrée (lunch or dinner) from an exclusive menu at select Applebee’s locations nationwide. On Saturday, November 11, veterans can select from the following eight options: Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, six-ounce Top Sirloin, Chicken Tenders Platter, Double Crunch Shrimp, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Oriental Chicken Salad and Three-Cheese Chicken Penne; they will also receive a $5 Bounce Back Card to redeem during a future visit within a three-week redemption window.
Bob Evans: On Veterans Day, November 11, 2023, Bob Evans Restaurants will again provide a free comforting meal to veterans and active-duty military. Those who show proof of military service can choose one meal from a special menu of seven homestyle favorites to enjoy gratis (dine-in only) at their local Bob Evans. More information is available here.
Bonefish Grill: Bonefish Grill is marking Veterans Day on Saturday, November 11, by offering service members, veterans and first responders with a valid ID a free order of the restaurant’s Bang Bang Shrimp (“crispy shrimp tossed in a signature creamy, spicy sauce”) along with a soft drink. The offer is available all day, with no purchase required. (Note that Bonefish Grill offers a 10 percent discount to service members, veterans and first responders all year round.)
Buffalo Wild Wings: On Saturday, November 11, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering all past and present armed services members (with valid ID) a free order of 10 Boneless Wings and Fries. The deal is available for dine-in only and also is valid at Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations for walk-in counter orders only.
California Pizza Kitchen: On Saturday, November 11, all U.S. veterans and active military members are invited to dine in at CPK restaurant and receive a complimentary entree and drink from a prix fixe menu. The chain is also offering veterans and active military members a buy-one-get-one deal on pizzas, pastas and salads from November 12 through 21.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Carrabba’s is honoring Veterans Day on November 11, by offering a complimentary dine-in appetizer or dessert along with a soft drink for veterans and active-duty military with show of ID. The deal is available all day, and no purchase is required. Carrabba’s also offers a discount providing 10 percent off to all service members, veterans and first responders all year round.
Chili’s: This Veterans Day, veterans and active military members will again be able to enjoy a free meal at all participating Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurants. The deal is available for in-restaurant only. Find more information here.
Circle K: The global convenience store chain is offering free coffee through the Circle K app to veterans and active-duty military personnel at its U.S. locations on November 11. To redeem the offer, download the Circle K mobile app and follow the instructions under the Deals tab.
Dunkin’: Dunkin’ will offer all retired and active military a free doughnut of their choice on November 11 at participating locations nationwide.
IHOP: The pancake chain is again making its Red, White and Blueberry Pancakes on the house for veterans and active-duty military this Veterans Day. Those with a military ID or proof of service who stop in at participating restaurants between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. can enjoy a free stack.
Krispy Kreme: On Veterans Day, the doughnut chain is treating veterans and active military personnel to a free doughnut of their choice as well as a free small coffee, hot or iced. No purchase is necessary to get the freebie, valid in-shop and drive-through only, but the offer is limited to one per customer.
Metro Diner: The diner chain, which has more than 50 locations in 12 states, is offering active and retired military who show valid military ID 50 percent off their meals on November 11, in honor of Veterans Day. (They get 10 percent off meals year-round.)
Photo courtesy of Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse: Outback is offering all its “Military Mates” (the military veterans and servicemembers, police, firefighters, first responders, nurses, doctors and medical staff to whom the chain offers 10 percent off their entire checks “all day, every day”) a free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage with the purchase of an adult entree in its restaurants on November 11. The chain will also offer an additional free $10 Bonus – valid for use from November 12 through December 17, 2023 – to active and retired military personnel who visit the restaurant on November 11, 2023.
Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers: The Pilot Company network of travel centers is showing its appreciation for military service members and their families by offering them a complimentary meal at over 750 participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers nationwide on Veterans Day. The company is also inviting customers to round up purchases to the nearest whole dollar through November 12, with 100 percent of the roundup proceeds to be donated to the Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit organization that helps veterans transition to civilian careers after completing their military service.
Red Lobster: To thank veterans, active-duty military and reservists (with valid military ID or proof of service), Red Lobster is giving away free printed meal vouchers for Veterans Shrimp & Chips (“six hand-breaded, butterflied and lightly fried shrimp, served with cocktail sauce, as well as crispy French Fries and Coleslaw”) on November 11, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time. The voucher (for dine-in only) can be redeemed from November 13 through December 10.
Red Robin: This Veterans Day, Red Robin is again inviting all veterans and active-duty military to enjoy a free Red’s Tavern Double burger served with Bottomless Steak Fries at participating restaurants nationwide. The deal is available on November 11, for dine-in only.
Sheetz: On November 11, Sheetz is inviting all veterans and active-duty military personnel with military ID or proof of service to enjoy a free meal (a half-turkey sub, including extras and add-ons, and a regular-size fountain drink) at any of its 700-plus locations. The convenience chain will also provide a free car wash to veterans and active-duty military at Sheetz locations that have a car wash. The chain will also support veterans and active-military personnel with a $50,000 donation to the United States Organization (USO).
Sonic Drive In: Sonic is offering all customers a Veterans Day deal: The returning fan favorite Fritos Chili Cheese Jr. Wrap will be offered at a discounted price of $0.99.
Starbucks: Starbucks will again offer veterans, military service members and military spouses a free tall (12-ounce) hot or cold brewed coffee at participating U.S. Starbucks locations on Veterans Day. The coffee chain will also donate $100,000 each to veteran-support organizations Team Red, White & Blue and Team Rubicon, as it did last year.
TCBY: On November 11, Veterans and Active Military members who show a valid ID can enjoy their first six ounces of frozen yogurt for free.
White Castle: The fast-food chain is celebrating Veterans Day by offering a free combo meal or breakfast combo meal to all veterans and active-duty service members who dine at a participating White Castle restaurant. The special offer is valid on November 11. No purchase is necessary, but veterans and active-duty personnel are requested to show a military ID. White Castle will also be serving its sliders in specially designed patriotic packaging. The front of the box features red and white stripes beneath the White Castle logo and 50 white stars on a navy-blue background.
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