Veterans and active-duty military personnel can get a plethora of free meals, discounts and coupons at restaurants and fast food chains throughout the country in honor of Veterans Day.
Veterans Day began in 1919 as Armistice Day, marking the date when Germany and the Allies signed a 1918 agreement to cease World War I hostilities. Veterans Day honors all those who served honorably in the military, while Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in service.
Most discounts and free meals are limited to Friday, and typically proof of service, such as a military ID or dressing in uniform, is required. Discharge papers, VA cards and veteran organization membership cards can also be used. Offers are usually limited to dine-in guests as well.
Discounts and free meals apply to most national restaurants and chains listed here, but some exclusions can apply and offers can vary by location. People can confirm with their local locations if restaurants are participating in Veterans Day deals.
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Here are what offers are being made for veterans and active-duty military personnel for Veterans Day 2022:
Starbucks Veterans Day deal: Free hot or iced coffee
Starbucks is adding a twist to its annual Veterans Day special, offering a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced coffee, valid one per customer for veterans, military service members and military spouses at participating US Starbucks stores.
Starbucks is also donating $100,000 each to military nonprofits Team Red, White & Blue and Team Rubicon.
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Dunkin’ Veterans Day deal: Free donut
Dunkin’ is offering veterans and active military a free donut, no purchase or proof of ID required, and for in-store redemption only.
Krispy Kreme Veterans Day deal: Free donut and coffee
Krispy Kreme is offering a free donut and a small hot or iced brewed coffee. The freebies don’t require a separate purchase and the offer is available in-store only.
Olive Garden Veterans Day deal: Free meal
Olive Garden told USA TODAY it is offering veterans and active-duty military personnel with a free entrée from a special menu. Meals offered include: never-ending soup, salad and breadsticks, cheese ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, fettuccini alfredo and chicken parmigiana.
Outback Veterans Day deal: Free Bloomin’ Onion and drink
Outback Steakhouse is offering all active and retired military personnel a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product in restaurant. The chain is also still applying its “daily heroes discount” with 10% off entire checks for nurses, doctors, medical staff, military veterans, police, firefighters and first responders.
Applebee’s Veterans Day deal: Free meal and coupon
Applebee’s will be offering veterans and active-duty military personnel a free meal from a select menu, including:
- 6oz. top sirloin
- Double crunch shrimp
- Fiesta lime chicken
- Chicken tenders platter
- Classic bacon cheeseburger
- Oriental chicken salad
- Three-cheese chicken penne
In addition to the free meal, Applebee’s told USA TODAY that veterans and active-duty military personnel dining in on Nov. 11 with receive a $5 bounce back card to redeem for a future dine-in, to-go or delivery order within the next three weeks.
IHOP Veterans Day deal: Free pancakes
IHOP is offering free red, white and blue pancakes – three buttermilk pancakes topped with glazed strawberries, blueberry compote and whipped topping – at participating locations from 7 am to 7 pm for dine-in only.
Denny’s Veterans Day deal: Free Grand Slam
Denny’s is giving a complimentary Grand Slam – two buttermilk pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs – to all active, non-active and retired military personnel at participating locations from 5 am to 12 pm for dine-in only.
Buffalo Wild Wings Veterans Day deal: Free wings and fries
Buffalo Wild Wings is giving veterans and active-duty service members with valid ID 10 free boneless wings and fries for dine-in only.
BJ’s Veterans Day deal: Free meal and drink
BJ’s is offering a free meal from a select menu and a free Dr. Pepper beverage at all locations to current and former military personnel. Menu items include:
- Bacon-guacamole deluxe burger
- Deep dish ziti
- Jumbo spaghetti and meatballs
- Parmesan-crusted chicken
- Grilled chicken alfredo
- Enlightened Mediterranean chicken pita tacos
- BJ’s classic crispy chicken sandwich
Red Robin Veterans Day deal: Free burger and fries
Red Robin is giving veterans and active-duty service members a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and bottomless steak fries at participating restaurants for dine-in only.
Texas Roadhouse Veterans Day deal: Free meal voucher
From 11 am to 2 pm, Texas Roadhouse is giving veterans and active-duty military personnel meal vouchers valid through May 30, 2023 with proof of service, no purchase necessary.
Wendy’s Veterans Day deal: Free breakfast
Wendy’s giving those with valid military ID or Veterans Advantage card a free breakfast combo during participating location’s breakfast hours. Valid in-store or at drive-thru.
Hooters Veterans Day deal: Free meal with drink purchase
Hooters is offering veterans or active-duty military who present proof of service a free meal from a select menu with purchase of a beverage at any location nationwide. The menu includes:
- Ten piece boneless wings
- Hooters burger
- grilled chicken sandwich
- buffalo chicken sandwich
- buffalo chicken salad
Red Lobster Veterans Day deal: Free shrimp
Red Lobster is giving veterans, active-duty military and reservists free Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, fries and coleslaw with valid ID for dine-in and to go from 11 am to 4 pm
California Pizza Kitchen Veterans Day deal: Free meal and meal voucher
California Pizza Kitchen is offering a complimentary entrée and drink to veteran and active military members for dine-in only with proof of service. All veterans who dine-in will also get a BOGO voucher valid from Nov. 12-21.
The chain will also donate 20% of all sales from Nov. 7-9 to non-profit Disabled American Veterans. To participate, guests must indicate they are there to support the non-profit, or enter code “DAV” on online orders.
Cracker Barrel Veterans Day deal: Free dessert
Cracker Barrel is giving any veteran or active-duty military a complimentary slice of double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake with any purchase in-store and online. To redeem the offer online, guests must add cake to order and enter code “VETSDAY22” at checkout.
Little Caesars Veterans Day deal: Free lunch combo
Little Caesars is offering veterans and military personnel free HOT-N-READY lunch combo at participating locations from 11 am-2 pm The combo features for slices of the chain’s Detroit-style deep dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi product.
White Castle Veterans Day deal: Free combo meal
White Castle is giving a free combo meal or breakfast combo meal to all veterans and active-duty service members who dine-in at participating restaurants.
Zaxby’s Veterans Day deal: Free wings
Zaxby’s is offering a free boneless wings meal to all veterans and active military personnel, no ID required.
Peet’s Coffee Veterans Day deal: Free coffee
Peet’s Coffee is giving current and former members of military, as well as military spouses, a small drip coffee or tea, one per customer. Must mention military status when ordering.
More Veteran’s Day deals from Smoothie King, Vitamin Shoppe, Bonefish Grill and others
Smoothie King: Free 20-ounce smoothies for any active and retired military guests who show valid ID.
Schlotzsky’s: Free chips and drink with purchase of meal from Nov. 11-30 with valid military ID.
Bonefish Grill: Free order of Bang Bang shrimp with soft drink with valid military ID. Also offer 10% “Heroes Discount” to service members, veterans and first responders year round.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company: Offering 20% off meals on Nov. 13 with valid military ID. Up to parties of four and for dine-in only.
Smashburger: Offering free burger or sandwich with valid military ID. For participating locations, click here.
At Good Bread: Giving free breakfast sandwich and small drip coffee to all active and retired military members. Must have valid military ID and mention offer.
The Vitamin Shoppe: Offering 25% off entire purchase at all locations.
Cicis Pizza: Free adult buffet to all active and retired military personnel. Dine-in only and does not include drink.
Do Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and more offer Veterans Day deals?
Chick-fil-A told USA TODAY it does not have any nationwide promotions for Veterans Day, but individual local restaurants could have offers. Contact your local location to verify.
McDonald’s and Taco Bell did not respond to USA TODAY about Veterans Day deals.
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.