Charlotte Veterans Day 2024 Complete Guide To Free Meals And Discounts For Military Service Members

Charlotte area veterans and active-duty personnel can enjoy numerous free food offers and discounts on Veterans Day, November 11, 2024. Many local restaurants are recognizing their service, offering everything from free meals to discounted deals, and coupons for future visits. This comprehensive guide details all the available offers across Charlotte, organized by category for easy reference.

Restaurant Free Meals and Discounts

Full-Service Restaurants

Applebee's is among the many Charlotte locations offering a free Veterans Day meal for veterans and active military personnel. Similarly, Bad Daddy's Burger Bar provides veterans with a free All American Burger from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all locations. BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse recognizes service members with a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie and a free appetizer coupon for a future visit.

Brewers at 4001 Yancey offers a free meal for veterans and active duty military personnel. Carolina Ale House provides veterans with a free rib platter, while Chili's offers a free meal available in-restaurant at participating Charlotte locations. Cicis Pizza allows veterans and active-duty military to eat free at participating Charlotte locations.

City BBQ's Charlotte location offers veterans a free meal consisting of one sandwich, a side, and a drink. Denny's participating Charlotte locations provide a free Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers gives Charlotte locations a meal card valid for any combo meal to veterans.

Golden Corral provides veterans with a free meal at Charlotte locations from 4 p.m. until closing. Hickory Tavern's participating Charlotte locations will give veterans a free meal of equal or lesser value when dining with another guest. IKEA's location at 8300 Ikea Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina offers a free meal in the Swedish Restaurant for veterans.

O'Charley's at 1389 Concord Parkway N, Concord provides a free lunch for veterans from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Panera Bread's Charlotte locations offer a free bagel and coffee for veterans before 11 a.m. Red Lobster's participating Charlotte locations offer free Shrimp & Chips for veterans.

Sullivan's Steakhouse provides a free Angus Burger with fries to veterans at Charlotte locations. Triple C Brewing at 2900 Griffith Street, Charlotte offers 25% off food for veterans and a live music event. VIVA Chicken provides all Charlotte locations with a free meal for veterans.

Fast Food and Casual Dining

Several fast-food and casual dining chains also participate in Veterans Day celebrations. Harriet's Hamburgers offers a free Gratitude Box for veterans. Little Caesars' participating Charlotte locations provide a complimentary Lunch Combo for veterans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Metro Diner offers 50% off for veterans at Charlotte locations. Smashburger's participating Charlotte locations provide veterans with a free All-American Single or Double Burger. The Smoke Pit, with locations in Concord, Salisbury, and Monroe, offers a free pulled pork plate with sides to veterans.

Wendy's Charlotte locations offer veterans a free Breakfast Combo. Wings ETC provides active duty and retired service members with a free entrée valued up to $13.99 with proof of service or veteran status.

Coffee Shops and Beverage Offers

Several coffee and quick service establishments in Charlotte recognize veterans with complimentary items. Scooter's Coffee offers Charlotte locations with a free medium drink for veterans. Starbucks' participating Charlotte Starbucks stores offer a free tall brewed coffee to veterans and military spouses.

Smelly Cat Coffeehouse at 514 E 26th Street, Charlotte provides free drip coffee and 50% off for veterans. Sea Level NC and The Waterman Fish Bar both offer veterans a free half dozen Sea Level Salt oysters at their Charlotte locations.

Additional Charlotte Businesses

Beyond restaurants and coffee shops, numerous other Charlotte businesses recognize Veterans Day. Pilot and Flying J locations provide veterans with a meal credit up to $12 at Charlotte locations. TCBY, a frozen yogurt chain, also participates in the local Veterans Day recognition, though specific details about their offer were not provided in the source material.

The complete list of 44 Charlotte businesses offering Veterans Day deals includes Ace No. 3, Applebee's, Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, Biscuit Belly, Bob Evans, BJ's Restaurant Brewhouse, Carolina Ale House, Carrabba's, Chicken Salad Chick, Chili's, Cicis Pizza, City BBQ, Denny's, Emmet's Social Table, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Golden Corral, Harriet's Hamburgers, Hickory Tavern, Hooters, IHOP, IKEA, Little Caesars, Mac's Speed Shop, Metro Diner, O'Charley's, Panera Bread, Piada Italian Street Food, Pilot, Flying J, Red Lobster, Red Robin, Scooter's Coffee, Sea Level NC, Smashburger, Smelly Cat Coffee, Sonic Drive-In, Starbucks, Sullivan's Steakhouse, TCBY, Triple C Brewing, Twin Peaks, VFW Mecklenburg Post 1160, VIVA Chicken, The Waterman Fish Bar, and Wendy's.

Automotive and Other Service Freebies

Beyond food and beverages, veterans can also take advantage of automotive service freebies in recognition of their service. The Grace for Vets Car Wash Program offers free car washes at thousands of locations nationwide, including Charlotte area locations.

For vehicle maintenance, Meineke typically offers a free oil change at select locations on Veterans Day. Jiffy Lube usually provides a 50% discount on oil changes on Veterans Day, along with a 15% military discount available year-round (though this varies by location). Valvoline Instant Oil Change typically offers a free oil change on Veterans Day, plus a 15% military discount available year-round.

Entertainment and Attraction Discounts

While the source material focuses primarily on food and automotive services, some information about Veterans Day discounts at entertainment venues is available. The Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio offers free admission for veterans on the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day, with discounted tickets for family members.

Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia provides free admission during Veterans Day weekend, Friday, Nov. 7 through Tuesday, Nov. 11, to all active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, National Guardsmen and their immediate dependents.

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta offers free admission for active military and veterans, plus a 30% discount in the gift shop on Nov. 10-11 and other "Military Mondays." Knott's Berry Farm in California provides discounted tickets for veterans, military members, and family during Military Tribute Days, Monday through Thursday, Nov. 3–20 and Dec. 1–18, with other discounts offered year-round.

The Louisville Zoo in Kentucky offers free admission for veterans, active military, and families, along with discounts on concessions and the gift shop.

Tips for Maximizing Veterans Day Offers

To make the most of Veterans Day freebies and discounts, veterans and active-duty personnel should consider several important factors:

First, always bring proper identification to verify military or veteran status. Acceptable forms of identification include a VA card, DD214, or state-issued veteran designation.

Second, call ahead to local franchise locations to confirm participation and specific details, as offers may vary by location. This is particularly important for chain restaurants where participation might be limited to certain locations.

Third, arrive early at high-traffic restaurants like Applebee's, Chick-fil-A, Chili's, IHOP, Olive Garden, and Starbucks to avoid long waits and potential sell-outs of free items.

Fourth, be aware of specific redemption windows. Some offers, like Denny's Grand Slam breakfast, are only available during certain hours (5 a.m. to 12 p.m.), while others like Golden Corral's free meal are only available from 4 p.m. until closing.

Fifth, understand the terms of each offer. Some require dining in, while others may allow takeout. Some offers are for the veteran only, while others may include family members or allow for companions.

Conclusion

Charlotte veterans and active-duty personnel have numerous opportunities to enjoy free meals and discounts on Veterans Day 2024. With over 40 businesses participating in the recognition, from full-service restaurants to coffee shops and automotive services, there are options throughout the day for different tastes and preferences. The complete list of participating businesses includes well-known chains and local establishments across the Charlotte metropolitan area.

When planning to take advantage of these offers, veterans should remember to bring proper identification, call ahead to confirm participation and details, and be aware of specific redemption windows and terms. By doing so, they can maximize their Veterans Day experience and enjoy the appreciation shown by these local businesses.

Sources

1. Charlotte Area Veterans Day Free Meals and Deals
2. 44 Charlotte Businesses Offering Veterans Day Deals
3. Veterans Day Freebies Guide