By: Rin Velasco, Max Hauptman, Emily DeLetter
USA TODAY NETWORK
As a tribute to veterans and active-duty military personnel, many restaurants across the U.S. have food specials on Tuesday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.
Veterans Day arose out of Armistice Day, a holiday held annually on Nov. 11 to mark the end of World War I. The Allies and Germany signed an armistice agreement on Nov. 11, 1918, with fighting ceasing on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
When Armistice Day became a federal holiday in 1938, many states had already begun observing it. In 1954, Congress, with the support of veterans organizations, changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day; President Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954, according to History.com.
Most Veterans Day deals require a form of veteran, military or military-dependent identification – such as a Veteran ID Card or DD214 card showing your time of service. Many offers are limited to dine-in guests as well. Always check with your closest location to confirm participation.
Here’s a list of numerous other deals and discounts for Veterans Day:
Restaurants:
Many places offers Active Duty Service Members, Guard Members and Veterans a FREE Meal on Veterans Day. Make sure you pass on this information to anyone you know who is a Veteran or Active Duty so they can snag a free meal too! All places require proof of military service, proof of service includes Military ID, Discharge Papers, DD214 and being in uniform. What proof of service required depends on the restaurant.
Applebee’s: Each year, veterans are invited to pick from one of 8 free meals as a Thank you to service members.
Arby’s: On Veterans Day, all veterans and active-duty military service members can get a free Classic Roast Beef Sandwich at the 360-plus Arby’s locations owned by the Flynn Group. Offer good in store, no other purchase necessary; show valid military ID or proof of U.S. military service to get the deal. Limit one sandwich per veteran.
Benihana: This Veterans Day, we honor the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of those who serve. Join us Sunday, November 9 through Tuesday, November 11, and enjoy a free entrée (up to $59 value) as our way of saying thank you.
Bruegger’s Bagels: All veterans and active-duty service members get a free hot or iced coffee (any size) on Veterans Day, on Tuesday, November 11. Get the offer in stores, through the mobile app, or online using code FREECOFFEE. No purchase is required.
Buffalo Wild Wings: All past and present armed service members can get 10 free Boneless Wings and Fries with a valid ID on Veteran Day. Offer is good for dine-in and walk-in at participating locations.
Chili’s: Is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 4 meal options. Offer only available at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only.
Circle K — On November 11, veterans get one free medium hot or iced coffee. The one-day-only offer is available at participating U.S. locations, and customers can redeem theirs by showing a valid military ID at purchase.
Cracker Barrel – In celebration of Veterans Day, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is proud to honor the brave men and women who have served our country by offering a complimentary Sunrise Pancake Special, a scratch-made breakfast favorite, to all veterans and active-duty military dining in on November 11th at any of the nearly 660 Cracker Barrel locations.
Dave & Buster’s: Veterans and active-duty military can get a free entrée (up to $20) plus a $10 Power Card for gameplay, all day on Veterans Day (show valid military ID to get the deal).
Denny’s: Veterans and military personnel get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast on Nov. 11 from 5 a.m.- noon.
Einstein Bros. Bagels: All veterans and active-duty service members get a free hot or iced coffee (any size) on Veterans Day; offer is good in stores, on the mobile app, or online using code FREECOFFEE. No purchase is required.
Famous Dave’s: Military personnel and veterans can get a free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich Lunch with a choice of side on Veterans Day (use code VETERAN25 at checkout).
Golden Corral – Veterans get a free “thank you” meal during military appreciation night, which this year is on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 from 4:00pm – close. The free meal offer is valid for dine-in only and does not extend to spouses, family members, or friends.
Granite City Food & Brewery: Veterans and military personnel can get a free entrée from the restaurant’s Veterans Day lunch menu along with a free non-alcoholic beverage, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time. Offer is good for dine-in, to go and online ordering (use code VETERANS25; offer not good for delivery).
Green Mill – Green Mill honors our military on Veterans Day with a 10% discount every day – just show proof of service. (See details on their website.)
Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream: All retired and active military members can get a certificate for a free meal – either a free smorgasbord buffet or small pizza – anytime through the end of November.
Hard Rock Cafe: All active and retired military members can get a free Classic Smash Burger all day long on Veterans Day (valid ID required). Veterans also regularly get a 15% military discount they can use to help pay for friends and family’s meals.
Hooters — This Veterans Day, Hooters offers a free menu item on November 11. Veterans can choose from 10 Original Wings, Cheeseburger, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, or Chicken Caesar Salad, free with drink purchase.
IHOP – On Veterans Day, veterans and active-duty military personnel can get a free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo (two buttermilk pancakes topped with strawberries, blueberry topping, and whipped topping, plus two eggs, hash browns, and your choice of 2 strips of bacon or pork sausage links). Offer is good when you dine in; proof of military service required.
Little Caesar’s – On Tuesday, November 11th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., veterans and active military can enjoy a complimentary Lunch Combo, which includes four slices of Little Caesars signature Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage.
Kona Grill: Veterans get a free entrée (max value $75) on Tuesday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day (ID required, dine-in only).
Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop (Stillwater): Leo’s will continue our tradition of honoring Veterans and Active Military Personnel with a free meal. No proof of service is necessary and Veterans may choose from the entire menu.
Little Caesar’s – On Tuesday, November 11th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., veterans and active military can enjoy a complimentary Lunch Combo, which includes four slices of Little Caesars signature Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage.
Margaritaville (Mall of America): Exclusive 15% discount* to all active-duty Service Members and Veterans of the Armed Forces at participating locations. Must verify status with GOVx.
Olive Garden — On November 11, Olive Garden will offer each veteran and current member of the military who dines in a free entrée from a special menu. Simply show proof of military service.
Outback Steakhouse: For the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday on Monday, Nov. 10, and Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, those with valid veterans and active-duty military IDs can get a free Aussie 3-Course Meal (offer good for select entrées and dine-in only).
Panera Bread: On Veterans Day, all veterans and active-duty military service members can get a free pastry or bakery item and a cup of coffee at the more than 145 Panera Bread locations owned by Flynn Group. To get the deal just show just show valid military I.D. or proof of U.S. military service. This offer excludes loaves of bread and is not valid with any other offer, Rapid Pick-up, Delivery or Online Ordering.
Perkins: Veterans get a Free Great American Trio on November 11th. Must show military ID.
Red Robin: Free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on November 11.
QDOBA: Veterans and active-duty military get free chips and dip when they come into any restaurant – no purchase required. Guests can claim the offer by presenting their miliary ID at checkout.
Sonic: For Veterans Day, Sonic has a Buy One, Get One Free deal when you buy a Sonic Cheeseburger, SuperSonic Double Cheeseburger or Footlong Quarter Pound Coney; offer good for all Sonic app users.
Starbucks: On November 11th, Veterans, service members and military spouses get a FREE free tall (12 fl oz) brewed coffee (hot or iced).
Taco John’s: On Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, Taco John’s thanks veterans and active-duty military with a complimentary Small Beef Crispy or Softshell Taco Combo for in-store or drive-thru orders with valid ID.
TGI Fridays: Veterans with a valid military ID can get a free meal when dining in from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Veterans Day. Menu choices include Cheeseburger with fries, Chicken Fingers with fries and coleslaw, Chicken Caesar Salad, Half Rack of Ribs with choice of side, or Cajun Shrimp & Chicken Pasta (half portion).
TCBY – Veterans and active military receive their first 6 oz free on November 11th with proof of service.
Texas Roadhouse: Free lunch on Veterans Day 11:00am – 2:00pm. Choose from 10 entrees as a thank you for your legendary service.
Village Inn: Veterans and military personnel can get a free 2-2-2 Breakfast (2 eggs any style, 2 bacon strips or sausage links, 2 pancakes) on Veterans Day. If ordering online, use code VETERANS25 to get the deal.
Wendy’s – Sign up for Veterans Advantage for special veterans deals year-round including Veterans Day. On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, all veterans and active-duty military service members can get a free Breakfast Combo (any breakfast sandwich, seasoned potatoes and a beverage) at the 300-plus Wendy’s locations owned by the Flynn Group. Limit one small, medium or large combo meal per veteran during breakfast hours; just show valid military I.D. or proof of U.S. military service. Offer good in stores and drive-thru only (not available through the mobile app, delivery, or restaurant kiosk).
White Castle — Veterans and active-duty military get a free individual combo meal or a breakfast combo meal when dining at a participating restaurant on November 11.
Breweries/Taprooms:
Crooked Pint (various locations): This Veterans Day, we’re honored to serve those who’ve served us. On November 11, veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a FREE* meal—choose from a Classic Lucy, Cluckin’ Good Platter, Crispy Chicken Salad, or Apple Pecan Chicken Salad. Simply show proof of military ID to redeem. Restrictions apply. Dine-in only.
Trove Brewing (Burnsville): Free pint for veterans.
