As Americans across the U.S. observe Veterans Day, those who served can receive freebies and discounts at restaurants and other businesses as they honor retired and active-duty military service members.
To receive one of the offers make sure you have your military ID or proof of service to score all things free on Nov. 11 from car washes and movies to burgers and steakhouses.
Here’s what to know about Veterans Day, whether it’s a federal holiday and where veterans can eat for free:
Is today Veterans Day? Is Veterans Day a federal holiday?
Yes, Veterans Day is Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, and it is a federal holiday.
Applebee’s Veterans Day free entree deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Applebee’s is offering a complimentary full-size entrée from an exclusive menu and a $5 “Bounce Back Card” for a future visit with proof of military ID. Dine-in only. Options include a 6-ounce Top Sirloin, Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, Chicken Tenders Platter, Double Crunch Shrimp, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Oriental Chicken Salad and Three-Cheese Chicken Penne.
To find locations, visit applebees.com.
Biggby Coffee offering discounts to veteran, Nov. 11, 2025
At Biggby Coffee, veterans can get any 16 ounce beverage for $1.99 on Nov. 11. Visit biggby.com to find locations.
Bob Evans Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can get a complimentary Bob Evans breakfast with a valid military ID at participating locations. Dine-in only.
Menu options include Country Biscuit Breakfast, The Classic Breakfast, Banana Berry Oatmeal, Sunrise, The Mini Sampler, Brioche French Toast, Cup of Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, Buttermilk Hotcakes, Bowl of Rolled-Oat Oatmeal, or Down-Home Country-Fried Steak.
Find locations at bobevans.com.
Big Boy Veterans Day $5 deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Breakfast for veterans is $5 on Veterans Day at participating locations. Choices include eggs and meat, hotcakes and meat, or French toast and meat.
To find locations, visit bigboy.
Bonefish Grill discount on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025
The chain’s hero’s discount is for service men and women, police officers, firefighters, veterans and first responders. They get 10% off their bill all day every day.
To find locations, visit bonefishgrill.com.
Carrabba’s Veterans Day app and desert deal, Nov. 11, 2025
On Nov. 10 and Nov. 11, Carrabba’s Italian Grill offers a free appetizer or dessert to veterans. Service members and first responders receive 10% off on any visit year-round.
Visit carrabbas.com to find locations.
Chipotle offers Veterans Day 2-for-1 deal, Nov. 11, 2025
When members of the military buy one entrée they get a second one free. The offer is valid from 4-8 p.m. on Veterans Day at U.S. restaurants.
Visit chipotle.com to find locations.
Circle K offers coffee on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025
Free medium hot or iced coffee is being offered at all locations nationwide for veterans. There’s no purchase necessary.
Visit circlek.com to find locations.
Buffalo Wild Wings Veterans Day free entree meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Buffalo Wild Wings is thanking all veterans and active military with a free 10-piece Boneless Wings and Fries on Nov. 11. Valid military ID required. Available for dine-in and walk-in at participating locations.
Find locations at buffalowildwings.com.
Chili’s Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Chili’s is offering veterans and active military members with proof of service a free meal at participating locations on Nov. 11. Dine-in only. Menu options include Chicken Crispers, Quesadillas, and the Oldtimer Burger.
Find locations at chilis.com.
Cracker Barrel Veterans Day free breakfast meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Cracker Barrel is giving a complimentary Sunrise Pancake Special on Nov. 11 to all veterans and active-duty military with valid military ID. Dine-in only.
Find a list of locations at crackerbarrel.com.
Dave & Buster’s Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Dave & Buster’s is giving all veterans and active-duty military a free entrée up to $20 value and a $10 Power Card for gameplay at any location nationwide. Dine-in only. Valid with military ID.
To find locations, visit daveandbusters.com.
Denny’s Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Denny’s is providing active and retired military personnel a free Original Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon on Nov. 11 at participating locations. Dine-in only.
To find locations, visit dennys.com.
Fazoli’s Veterans Day free entree deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Fazoli’s is providing a free Spaghetti with Marinara or Meat Sauce for dine-in only with valid military ID on Nov. 11. Use code VET25 when ordering.
To find locations, visit fazolis.com.
Golden Corral Veterans Day free buffet meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Golden Corral is giving all active-duty military personnel and veterans a free buffet and beverage from 4 p.m. to close on Nov. 11 for the 25th anniversary of Military Appreciation Night. Dine-in only. Valid military ID required. Offer is not extended to family members or other guests.
To find locations, visit goldencorral.com.
IHOP Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
IHOP is thanking active military and veterans with a free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo with valid military ID on Nov. 11. Dine-in only. To find locations, visit ihop.com.
IKEA Veterans Day free entree, Nov. 11, 2025
The IKEA Swedish Restaurant in Fishers will serve veterans and active service members a free entrée through Nov. 11, 2025. Proof of eligibility is required.
Visit ikea.com to find IKEA locations.
Insomnia Cookies’ Veterans Day cookie offer, Nov. 11, 2025
Those with a military ID can get a free deluxe cookie with a $5 purchase at Insomnia Cookies on Veterans Day.
Find locations at insomniacookies.com.
Kona Grill Veterans Day free entree deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Kona Grill will offer veterans and active-duty military personnel a complimentary entrée, valued up to $49, on Veterans Day.
For locations, visit konagrill.com.
Little Caesars Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
All veterans and active military can enjoy a complimentary Little Caesars Lunch Combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11 with valid military ID at participating stores.
To find locations, visit whitecastle.com.
Logan’s Roadhouse Veterans Day free lunch menu meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Logan’s Roadhouse will serve free lunch to veterans and active-duty military from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 11. Guests can choose one entrée from the following selection, each served with sides such as fries, roadhouse rice, green beans, corn and mashed potatoes.
The offer is for dine-in service only. Also, the sale of each limited-time Chase Rice Meal of sirloin, loaded baked potato, broccoli and a grilled shrimp skewer helps support K9s for Warriors, which provides trained service dogs for veterans. Logan’s Roadhouse offers a year-tound 11% military discount for all veterans and active-duty service members. Find locations at logansroadhouse.com.
Option include:
McDonald’s Veterans Day free breakfast meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
McDonald’s restaurants across southwest Michigan will offer free breakfast meals to veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11. Veterans with a valid military ID can receive a free Egg McMuffin meal, which includes a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea or coffee. The offer is available for dine-in and drive-thru only and is not valid through the McDonald’s app.
To find locations, visit mcdonalds.com.
Pilot / Flying J Veterans Day free breakfast / lunch meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Veterans, military personnel and their families who stop at a Pilot or Flying J on Nov. 11 can get a free breakfast sandwich and coffee or lunch item and fountain drink. Identification must be verified with ID.me in the Pilot app to be eligible. Pilot is also making a $250,000 donation to the Call of Duty Endowment, which helps place veterans in high-quality civilian careers after service. From Nov. 8 through Dec. 1, guests can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, or donate $1, $3, or $5 at any participating Pilot location to go to the Call of Duty Endowment.
Find locations at pilotflyingj.com.
Outback Steakhouse Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Outback Steakhouse is giving a free Aussie 3-Course Meal, featuring select entrées Nov. 10-11 with valid military ID for the Marine Corps birthday and Veterans Day. Dine-in only.
Find locations at outback.com.
Qdoba Veterans Day free entree meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Qdoba is thanking all veterans and active military with a free chips and dip on Nov. 11. Valid military ID required. Dine-in only. No purchase necessary.
Find locations at qdoba.com/.
Red Robin Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Red Robin is offering veterans and active-duty military members a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger and a bottomless side for dine-in only with valid military ID on Nov. 11.
To find locations, visit redrobin.com.
Savvy Sliders Veterans Day free coffee deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Veterans and active military receive one free Original or Fried Chicken Slider with proof of military service on Nov. 11 at participating locations. No purchase necessary. In-store only. Not valid on drive-thru or online orders.
To find locations, visit savvysliders.com.
Raising Cane’s offers Veterans Day discount, Nov. 11, 2025
The chain known for its chicken-finger (tenders) meals and Cane’s sauce is offering a 10% discount to all active and nonactive military, plus fire, police and EMTs and their families. Raising Cane’s has locations in Ann Arbor and Canton.
See raisingcanes.com to find locations.
Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza offers free tenders, pizza, Nov. 11, 2025
Veterans and active military get a choice of a free three-piece order of chicken tenders or a slice of pizza.
Visit sarokis.com to find locations.
Tim Hortons offers donut on Veteran Day, Nov. 11, 2025
Veterans can get a free classic doughnut for dine-in only at participating U.S. restaurants. The offer is not valid on digital, pickup or delivery orders.
Visit timhortons.com for locations.
Smoothie King Veterans Day free smoothie deal, Nov. 11, 2025
On Nov. 11, active-duty military and veterans can order a free 20-ounce smoothie from noon to 3 p.m. at Smoothie King. The offer is includes three patriotic picks: Strawberry X-Treme (red), Slim-N-Trim Vanilla (white), and Blueberry Heaven (blue).
Find locations at smoothieking.com.
Starbucks Veterans Day free coffee deal, Nov. 11, 2025
On Nov. 11, veterans, military service members and their spouses can order a free tall (12-ounce) brewed coffee (hot or iced) at participating U.S. stores. The offer applies to cafe and drive-though stores only.
Find Starbucks locations at starbucks.com.
Texas Roadhouse Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
All veterans and active-duty service members with valid military ID or proof of service can pick up a voucher between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 11 for a free lunch from one of 10 options, including a 6-ounce sirloin steak. Vouchers can be redeemed through May 31, 2026. Offers my vary by location. Guests should confirm details at Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Campbell, Ky.; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
To find locations, visit texasroadhouse.com/.
Twin Peaks Veterans Day free meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
All veterans and active-duty service members with valid military ID can enjoy a free lunch from a select menu between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Dine-in only.
To find locations, visit twinpeaksrestaurant.com.
Wendy’s Veterans Day free breakfast meal deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Wendy’s is providing a free Breakfast Combo during breakfast hours on Nov. 11 to active military and veterans with proof of service at participating locations. Dine-in only.
To find locations, visit wendys.com.
White Castle Veterans Day free meal deal combo, Nov. 11, 2025
Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free individual free combo meal or breakfast combo meal at White Castle on Nov. 11.
To find locations, visit whitecastle.com.
More Veterans Day 2025 freebies, deals on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025
Emagine Theatres Veterans Day free admission deal, Nov. 11, 2025
Active military and veterans will get two tickets each to see a movie of their choice for free on Nov. 11, 2025. Find a location at emagine-entertainment.com.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Veterans Day 2025. Free meals, deals and freebies Nov. 11
Reporting by Chris Sims, Cheryl V. Jackson and Dan Basso, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
