Veterans Day: Here’s where active and retired military can eat for free
Active duty and retired military members can enjoy free meals and more at select restaurants on Veterans Day as a “thank you” for their service.
The national holiday, celebrated on Nov. 11, honors all veterans and those who have served in times of war and peace, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Originally known as Armistice Day, the holiday initially celebrated the end of World War I and its commemoration was written into law.
Here’s where current and military members can eat free on Nov. 11:
Red Lobster
As a thank you, Red Lobster will treat veterans to a free Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Fries and Coleslaw meal between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time, according to a news release. No purchase is necessary.
The meal includes six fried, butterflied shrimp served with cocktail sauce, french fries and coleslaw. The offer is exclusive to dine-in and to-go orders that are placed in-restaurant, and a valid military I.D. is required.
Charleys Philly Steaks
Charleys Philly Steaks is celebrating veterans and active service members with a free order of Gourmet Fries “topped with cheese sauce, bacon crumbles and ranch dressing.”
Orders must be placed in-store, according to a news release. No purchase is required.
Applebee’s
All veterans and active duty military who visit Applebee’s on Nov. 11 will receive a free entree of their choice, plus $5 toward a future meal, the restaurant said.
The offer is good on dine-in orders only, and guests can pick from a select menu featuring:
6 oz. top sirloin
Double crunch shrimp
Fiesta lime chicken
Chicken tenders platter
Classic bacon cheeseburger
Oriental chicken salad
Three-cheese chicken penne
Service members will also receive a $5 Bounce Back Card that can be used for future dine-in, to-go and deliveries between Nov. 12 and Dec. 2, according to a news release.
Veterans and service members must show proof of service to receive the freebie.
Denny’s
Denny’s is celebrating Veteran’s Day with free Grand Slam breakfasts for military personnel on Nov. 11, according to a news release. The offer is available to all active, non-active and retired individuals from 5 a.m. to noon at participating locations.
The classic meal comes with two buttermilk pancakes, two bacon strips, two sausage links and two eggs cooked any way.
To redeem the freebie, guests must show a military ID or proof of service. No purchase is required.
TGI Fridays
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, veterans and active duty service members can receive a free meal at participating TGI Fridays.
In-restaurant guests can choose from the following entrees:
Cheeseburger with seasoned fries
Crispy chicken fingers with seasoned fries and coleslaw
6 oz. center-cut sirloin with mashed potatoes and garlic-butter broccoli
Caesar salad with grilled chicken
A valid military I.D. or proof of service is required to receive the freebie. No purchase is necessary.
Smoothie King
Any active duty or retired military members who visit Smoothie King on Veterans Day can receive a free 20-ounce smoothie of their choice at select locations. No purchase is necessary.
Guests must show a valid military ID to receive the freebie.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars will treat all U.S. veterans and active duty military to a free Hot-N-Ready lunch combo on Friday, Nov. 11, according to the pizza chain.
The freebie is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes 4 pieces of Little Caesar’s Detroit-style deep dish pizza and a 20 oz. drink, according to a news release. No purchase is necessary, but proof of military service is required.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s is thanking U.S. service members, active and retired, with a breakfast sandwich on the house.
On Nov. 11, military members can receive their choice of a honey butter chicken biscuit, maple bacon chicken croissant or a Breakfast Baconator combo from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., according to a news release. Guests just need to show a valid military ID in-store or at the drive-thru.
The meal includes a coffee or carbonated drink and seasoned breakfast potatoes. No purchase is required.
Customers are encouraged to check with their local Wendy’s ahead of time, as breakfast hours vary by location.
Red Robin
On Veterans Day, retired and active duty military can receive a free Red’s Tavern double burger and bottomless steak fries at participating Red Robin’s restaurants.
The meal can be redeemed on dine-in orders only and includes “two tavern-sized patties topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and Red’s Secret Tavern Sauce” alongside bottomless fries, according to a news release. No purchase is necessary.
Proof of service is required.
White Castle
White Castle will treat military members to their choice of a free combo meal or breakfast combo meal at participating restaurants nationwide. The offer is valid on dine-in orders only, and proof of service is required.
Circle K
Circle K is thanking military members for their service with a free medium coffee on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11.
The freebie is available at Circle K stores nationwide. No purchase is necessary, but it’s unclear if a military ID is required.
Pilot/Flying J Travel Centers
Pilot is honoring U.S. service members and their families with a free meal at more than 750 Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers across the U.S., according to a news release.
Military members who are verified on ID.me, a digital identity network, will receive a complimentary meal credit worth $12 in the myRewards plus app. The offer is good from November 11-13 and can be redeemed on several food and drink options including Pilot coffee and hot deli items.
“This year, the $12 Veterans Day meal credit will be a rolling balance, allowing guests to use any remaining balance the next time they stop over Veterans Day weekend during the offer period,” the release said.
Sheetz
On Veterans Day, Sheetz will offer retired and active duty military a free meal and a car wash at participating locations, the convenience store chain announced in a news release.
The food offer includes a free half ham and cheese or a meatball sub — plus a regular fountain drink to wash it down.
Veterans can also receive a free car wash at stores that offer them, according to a news release.
The offer can only be redeemed on the $9 wash option, and a military ID is required.
O’Charley’s
Veterans and active duty military can receive a free entrée at O’Charley’s on Nov. 11. No purchase is necessary
Guests can choose from the following items:
O’Charley’s Famous chicken tenders and fries
Classic cheeseburger
Honey-drizzled southern-fried chicken
Sante Fe tilapia
Southern fried chicken tender salad
California Pizza Kitchen
All veterans and active military personnel who visit California Pizza Kitchen on Veterans Day will receive a free entree and drink of their choice, according to the restaurant chain.
Customers can pick from a special “prix fixed menu” featuring California-inspired pizzas, pastas or entrée salads.
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