Veterans and active-duty service members in the United States will be able to claim free meals, drinks, haircuts and other discounts on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026, as restaurants, retailers and attractions announce special offers to mark the annual commemoration.
Most promotions require proof of service, such as a military identification card, Department of Defense Form DD214, veterans’ organisation card, Veterans Affairs identification or a current Leave and Earnings Statement. Many offers are for dine-in or in-store use only and may be limited to participating locations, so customers are advised to check locally before travelling.
Veterans Day 2026 restaurant deals
Applebee’s is offering veterans and active-duty military personnel a complimentary full-size entrée from a special menu at participating US restaurants on November 11. The dine-in offer excludes drinks and gratuity. Eligible customers will also receive a $5 bounce-back card for a later visit, redeemable until November 29. Applebee’s says it has served more than 12.7 million free Veterans Day meals since the tradition began.
Bar Louie is giving veterans and active-duty service members a free burger from November 10 to 11, excluding the Big Louie. An Impossible Burger upgrade costs $4. The offer is available for dine-in customers who show military identification.
Biscuit Belly is offering a choice of a bacon, sausage or chicken biscuit sandwich with hot drip coffee or a fountain drink. The promotion is for dine-in customers at participating locations.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse will provide a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie to current and former military members who dine in on November 11. From November 12 to December 14, eligible customers can also receive a free appetiser when buying a regular-priced entrée.
Bob Evans is offering a free meal from its special Veterans Day menu to veterans and active-duty military personnel. The offer is for dine-in use only and does not include drinks, tax or gratuity.
At Bombshells, veterans can eat free while active-duty service members receive 20 per cent off on November 11. A valid form of military identification is required.
Bonefish Grill is offering veterans, active-duty and retired military personnel, first responders and their families a complimentary order of Bang Bang Shrimp and a non-alcoholic drink.
Bubbakoo’s Burritos is giving veterans and active-duty military members a free chicken or beef burrito or bowl, with no purchase required. The offer is available all day for in-restaurant orders, although additional charges may apply for extras.
Chili’s is offering a free meal from a selection of eligible items to veterans and active military members on November 11. The deal is available in restaurants only, and customers are advised to contact their local branch about participation.
Chipotle customers with military or veteran status can receive free chips with guacamole, Queso Blanco or salsa when spending at least $5. Valid proof of service must be shown at checkout.
Circle K is offering veterans and current armed service members a free medium hot or iced coffee with military identification.
Dave & Buster’s is offering unlimited gameplay throughout the day to veterans and active-duty military personnel with valid identification. The offer excludes purple swipe games and does not earn tickets. Eligible visitors can also receive a complimentary dessert, while a 15 per cent discount on food and drinks is available to service members throughout the year.
Denny’s will serve a free Original Grand Slam to active, non-active and retired military personnel from 5am until noon local time. The offer is for dine-in customers at participating restaurants, while supplies last, and requires military identification or a DD214.
Einstein Bros. Bagels is offering a free bagel with any shmear and a hot or iced coffee of any size. The deal is available all day in participating bakeries and does not require a loyalty membership or digital coupon.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is offering active and retired military guests a buy-one-get-one-free entrée deal for dine-in customers. Firehouse Subs is offering veterans and active-duty military personnel a buy-one-get-one-free sub deal in stores, with a valid military ID.
Ford’s Garage is offering eligible customers either a free American Standard Burger entrée or up to $16 off another entrée at participating restaurants. The offer is for dine-in use on November 11 and is limited to one per eligible customer.
Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night will run from 4pm until closing at participating restaurants. Veterans, active-duty personnel, reservists and National Guard members will receive a free “Thank You” dinner for dine-in use.
Hawaiian Bros is offering a free Classic Plate Lunch to active military personnel and veterans, while Honey Dew Donuts is giving veterans a free coffee of any size.
Hot Dog on a Stick is offering a free 16-ounce Original Lemonade to veterans and active-duty military members at participating locations. No purchase is required, but the offer must be redeemed in-store with a military ID.
In-N-Out Burger is offering all current and former members of the US military a complimentary meal consisting of a burger, fries and a drink. Customers will also receive a special Veterans Day decal, with proof of service required.
Lazy Dog Restaurants is offering a complimentary Fireside Favorites entrée, a personal-sized dessert and a soft drink to active-duty personnel, veterans, retirees, reservists and National Guard members. Choices include fried chicken, grilled shrimp tacos, fettuccine Alfredo, an All-American Burger, Mediterranean Chicken and Honey Miso Chicken.
Logan’s Roadhouse will offer a free entrée from a five-item menu between 11am and 3pm. The offer includes steak tips, grilled pork chop, chicken tenders, chopped steak or an All-American Cheeseburger, and is available at participating corporate-operated restaurants.
LongHorn Steakhouse is offering a 10 per cent discount on meals along with a free appetiser or dessert. A valid military ID is required at participating locations.
Metro Diner is offering active-duty and retired military members 50 per cent off a meal. The restaurant also provides veterans with a 10 per cent discount throughout the year.
Miami Grill is offering 20 per cent off the eligible military customer’s meal at participating locations. The discount does not apply to delivery, app or online orders.
At Pilot and Flying J, veterans and active-duty service members verified through ID.me can claim a complimentary sandwich and coffee or fountain drink through the Pilot app.
Playa Bowls is offering 50 per cent off bowls to veterans, active-duty and retired military personnel at its shops nationwide. Pluckers is offering a free entrée and side, worth up to $17, at all 34 of its Texas locations.
Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee is offering eligible customers a free drip coffee and pastry from Cream City Coffee Co, together with a free order of street tacos from Taco Spot.
Red Robin is offering a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger with a bottomless side at participating restaurants. The chain is also running a November scheme allowing customers to buy a gift card for donation to local veterans’ organisations.
Ruby Tuesday is offering a free Everyday Fresh Meal, including a choice of selected entrée, Garden Bar and bottomless drink. Sonny’s BBQ is offering veterans a free Pork Big Deal, consisting of a pulled or sliced pork sandwich, a side and a drink.
Smoothie King is offering veterans and active-duty personnel a free 20-ounce smoothie from a choice of three flavours: Strawberry X-Treme, Blueberry Heaven or Vanilla Slim-N-Trim.
Yardbird is offering veterans a complimentary appetiser when they dine in with valid military identification.
Retail and leisure discounts for military customers
Academy Sports + Outdoors is offering military personnel and first responders 10 per cent off purchases online and in stores from October 30 to November 11. The offer requires status verification through ID.me and excludes a range of products and services, including clearance goods, gift cards, licences and shipping.
All Seasons Uniforms is offering veterans 10 per cent off professional apparel and workwear. Great Clips will provide veterans and active service members with a free haircut, or a free haircut card for a future visit, at salons across the US on November 11.
Great Clips says its annual Thank a Veteran programme has provided more than 2.5 million complimentary haircuts, worth more than $39 million. Non-military customers can also obtain a free haircut card at participating salons to give to a veteran or service member.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is offering free admission to eligible military personnel, veterans and first responders for visits between October 1 and November 30. Up to six accompanying friends or family members can receive 50 per cent off admission tickets.
ModWash is offering new customers a first month of membership for the price of a single wash through Veterans Day. Veterans also receive 10 per cent off renewals throughout the year.
Off-Grid Source offers military personnel and veterans 5 per cent off solar kits, battery storage and backup power products year-round. Priority Tire also provides eligible customers with 5 per cent off tyre purchases, with verification through ID.me.
Target is offering verified military community members 20 per cent off storewide from November 5 to 11 through its Target Circle Military Appreciation programme. Customers must verify their status before using the offer.
Tractor Supply will offer military service members and veterans 10 per cent off in stores and online on November 11. Verified members of its Neighbour’s Club programme can also receive year-round benefits, including 2 per cent back on purchases and free delivery on orders over $29.
Walgreens is offering veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families 20 per cent off eligible, regularly priced items in stores from November 8 to 11. Customers must be members of myWalgreens and show valid proof of service.
Although the offers are intended as a gesture of thanks, individual restaurants and retailers may set their own conditions, opening hours and participation rules. Customers should check the relevant business before setting out and bring proof of service where required.
