Veterans Day Freebies And Discounts 2025 Offers For Veterans Active-Duty Military And Families

Veterans Day is one of the most generous shopping and dining days of the year for U.S. veterans, active-duty service members, and often their families. National chains and local businesses across the country mark the day by offering free meals, complimentary beverages, discounted groceries, retail savings, and service perks such as free haircuts and car washes. In 2025, the breadth of offers remains substantial, with many deals concentrated on Tuesday, November 11, and a few that extend into adjacent dates or longer periods.

Most offers require proof of service. Commonly, businesses request a valid military ID, proof of service documentation, or the wearing of a military uniform. Participation varies by location; verify availability and terms with the specific location or brand before heading out. Offers, prices, savings, and local participation may vary. Where details are known, brands may specify whether the deal is valid dine-in only, in-store only, or available both in-store and online. Some retailers provide time windows and codes to apply at checkout.

Restaurants are the heart of Veterans Day freebies, and many brands serve complete meals from limited menus or feature one free item for veterans and active-duty members. A subset also extends discounts to families, often in the form of 20% off for veterans and their families or discounts for active-duty dependents.

Restaurants and Dining: Free Meals and Limited-Time Menus

Well-known chains such as Applebee’s, Chili’s, Denny’s, Red Robin, and Cracker Barrel offer a free meal from a limited menu for veterans and active-duty members, typically dine-in only and with ID on November 11. Outback Steakhouse provides a multi-day promotion: a free 3-Course Salute available on November 10 and 11, requiring a military ID and availability at participating locations. These offers help drive high turnout and serve as a central gathering point for many families on the holiday.

Among steakhouses and grill-oriented chains, Carrabba’s Italian Grill typically offers a free appetizer or dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage for veterans and active-duty members, dine-in only, with verification. Buffalo Wild Wings offers 10 free boneless wings and fries, dine-in only, at participating locations. Freddys provides a free combo meal card for veterans and active-duty members—no purchase required—redeemable through December 31, 2025, giving families a longer window to use the value.

Other notable dining options include the following free or heavily discounted offers specifically tied to November 11 or adjacent time windows:

• Logan’s Roadhouse: Free lunch for veterans from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 11, dine-in only and ID required.
• Zaxby’s: Free Signature Sandwich a la carte for veterans on Tuesday, November 11, available in-store and via digital ordering.
• World of Beer: Free two-piece smash burger sliders meal with fries for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations.
• Fazoli’s: Free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce, dine-in or online, for active military and veterans on November 11, 2025, using promo code VET25 at checkout.
• Einstein Bros. Bagels: Free hot or iced coffee (any size) for veterans and active duty in 2025, redeemable in-store, online, or in-app with promo code FREECOFFEE; no purchase required.
• Dunkin’: Free donut (including specialty and fancies) for veterans and active military on Veterans Day, in-store only and no ID required.
• Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut and coffee for veterans and active-duty on Veterans Day.
• Starbucks: Free 12 oz tall brewed coffee for veterans, current military service members, and all military spouses on November 11.

Family-friendly chains such as IHOP offer a free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo for veterans and active-duty on November 11, dine-in, with hours varying by location. Olive Garden provides a free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu for veterans and active-duty, dine-in, with proof of service. Farmer Boys offers a $4 Big Cheese Burger for veterans and active military on Veterans Day, requiring proof of service and the Very Important Farmer app to get the deal. Eddie Merlot’s serves a free Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger with fries for veterans and active military on November 11, dine-in only. Famous Dave’s offers a free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich lunch with a choice of side for military members, with the promo code VETERAN25 required at online checkout.

Additional restaurant deals and discounts reported for Veterans Day include:

• Applebee’s, Chili’s, Denny’s, Red Robin, Cracker Barrel: Free meal from a limited menu for veterans and active duty, dine-in only, ID required. November 11 only.
• Outback Steakhouse: Free 3-Course Salute with ID, valid November 10–11.
• IHOP: Free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo, dine-in, November 11.
• Olive Garden: Free entrée from special Veterans Day menu, dine-in, proof of service.
• Buffalo Wild Wings: 10 free boneless wings and fries, dine-in only.
• Carrabba’s: Free appetizer or dessert plus a non-alcoholic beverage, dine-in only; a year-round 10% discount is also offered for service members and first responders.
• Calhouns: Veterans Day is “Veterans Eat Free” Day; free entrée from a special menu and a beverage.
• Burger Republic (Tennessee): Free burger or meal for veterans and service members.
• Burntwood Tavern (Ohio, Florida): Offers vary by location but may include a free or discounted meal.
• Carolina Ale House (North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida): Free half-rack rib platter for veterans.
• Cattlmen’s Steakhouse (California): Free sirloin steak dinner for veterans and active military.
• World of Beer: Free two-piece smash burger sliders meal with fries for veterans and active-duty, participating locations.
• Fazoli’s: Free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce; promo code VET25 required; dine-in or online; November 11.
• Eddie Merlot’s: Free Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger with fries, dine-in only; November 11.
• Famous Dave’s: Free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich lunch with choice of side; online orders require VETERAN25.
• Farmer Boys: $4 Big Cheese Burger with proof of service and the Very Important Farmer app.
• Einstein Bros. Bagels: Free hot or iced coffee (any size) with promo code FREECOFFEE; in-store, online, in-app; no purchase required.
• Dunkin’: Free donut, in-store only; no ID required.
• Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut and coffee for veterans and active-duty.

Coffee, Beverages, and Quick-Service Deals

Beyond full meals, coffee chains and quick-service brands offer free drinks and small treats that can add up across the day. 7‑Eleven provides free coffee or a Big Gulp to military members who sign up or register with 7Rewards; military members also receive year-round discounts on gas through the program. Einstein Bros. Bagels, Dunkin’, Starbucks, and Krispy Kreme provide the free drink offerings described above. Additional coffee-related offers include:

• 151 Coffee (Texas, Kansas): Free coffee or drink for veterans and family.
• Acola Coffee Company (Columbia, MO): Usually offers a free house drip to veterans.
• Aroma Joe’s (New England, Florida): Usually offers a free hot or iced 24‑ounce drink.
• Local/independent locations: Some offer a free medium cup of brewed coffee or free hot brewed coffee; participation varies, and independent ownership means deals should be confirmed by phone ahead of time.

Retail, Groceries, and Mass Merchants

Retailers roll out discounts that can be stacked with everyday military savings programs or early Black Friday events. Discounts can apply in-store, online, or both, and some are limited to the day itself while others run for several days.

Target provides a 10% military discount through November 11 that can be used twice, in-store or online, for veterans, active-duty, and families. Walgreens offers 20% off in-store purchases for veterans, military, and family members on Veterans Day; the chain has also indicated veterans, active-duty, and their families can save 20% on regular-priced, in-store Walgreens purchases from November 8–11, 2025. Rack Room Shoes offers 20% off entire purchase on November 11 for military and dependents. Home Depot and Lowe’s promote their everyday 10% verified military discount for the holiday and advise stacking it with early Black Friday deals for additional savings. Academy Sports + Outdoors offers a 10% discount online and in-store through November 11 for veterans and active military.

Hy‑Vee provides two notable perks on November 11: a free veterans’ breakfast from 6–10 a.m. plus 15% off groceries. This combination of a meal and a grocery discount helps families stock up for the week while enjoying a complimentary breakfast on the day of service. Several other mass merchants and chains are reported to provide freebies or one-day discounts on Veterans Day, including various national chains that offer free meals or beverages.

Services: Haircuts, Car Washes, and Local Attractions

Service-based businesses commonly offer day-of perks. Great Clips provides a free haircut or a card for a future free haircut to veterans and current military members on November 11. Nonmilitary customers who purchase a service on Veterans Day receive a free haircut card to give to a veteran they know, creating a small community-driven network of appreciation. Sheetz offers a free half turkey sub, a fountain drink, and a free car wash at stores that have one, adding value across both food and vehicle care. Autobell Car Wash provides a free ride-thru exterior wash (or the equivalent value toward another car wash option) for veterans and active military in 2025.

Local attractions also join in. The Aquarium of the Pacific offers free admission to veterans and active military on November 11 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with advance reservations required. This kind of attraction-level access is ideal for families looking to spend a day together while taking advantage of free entry.

Theme Parks and Seasonal Passes

Two major theme park brands—Busch Gardens and SeaWorld—offer annual pass deals to veterans and active-duty military at 50% off. The pass includes unlimited admission, free parking, and single-day admission for the military member, along with discount admission for military family members and no blackout dates. These seasonal opportunities can be combined with other retail and grocery discounts to make a long-weekend trip more affordable.

Pro Tips for Maximizing Veterans Day Offers

Planning is key for making the most of Veterans Day. Many restaurants are busiest around lunch and dinner times; arriving early or late can help avoid long waits, particularly for popular chains offering free meals from a limited menu. If a location is part of a national brand, check the store locator or app for participation and redemption details; some brands require specific promo codes at checkout for online orders.

Bring valid ID and proof of service. Uniforms are typically accepted where specified. For family discounts, confirm whether dependents are included and what documentation is required. If a deal is marked “dine-in only,” do not expect to apply it to takeout or delivery unless the brand explicitly states otherwise.

Some brands provide cards that can be redeemed later rather than on the same day. For example, Freddy’s combo meal card can be used through December 31, 2025, and Great Clips can issue a card for a future haircut. These options can help manage time and crowds by allowing veterans to claim their perk when it is most convenient.

Retail discounts can sometimes be stacked. For instance, Home Depot and Lowe’s are promoting their everyday 10% verified military discount alongside early Black Friday deals; if a store allows stacking, veterans and families can achieve meaningful savings on tools, home improvement items, or seasonal projects. At Target and Walgreens, the window of discount can extend for several days, which can be helpful for planning grocery and household purchases around Veterans Day.

Limitations, Participation, and Local Variations

Offers are valid on the dates specified—most commonly November 11—and may not repeat weekly unless explicitly noted by the brand. For example, Whataburger offers a free taquito for veterans and active-duty on November 11 and then every Tuesday through the end of 2025 with ID, a rare weekly extension. Most other offers are one-day-only.

Local participation varies. Some brands operate on a franchise or independent ownership model, meaning store-level managers decide whether to honor the national offer. When in doubt, call ahead. Online or app-based promotions sometimes require a promo code, as in Einstein Bros. Bagels (FREECOFFEE), Fazoli’s (VET25), and Famous Dave’s (VETERAN25). Use these codes exactly as shown to avoid redemption issues. Where a location is independently owned, such as with some coffee shops, call ahead to verify the free drink offer and any time restrictions.

How to Verify Offers

Given the scale of Veterans Day promotions, a few verification steps can help ensure a smooth experience:

• Use official brand websites, mobile apps, and store locators to confirm participating locations and any promo code requirements.
• Read in-store signage on the day to confirm whether the offer applies dine-in, to-go, or online orders.
• Confirm family eligibility. Some offers include dependents, while others limit redemption to the service member.
• Check for blackout dates or exceptions in limited-service locations such as airports or stadiums.
• For online orders, apply the stated promo code at checkout and verify the discount or free item appears before payment.

A Snapshot of the 2025 Landscape

The 2025 Veterans Day freebies list includes at least 115 deals from national chains, with many restaurants offering free meals, coffee chains offering free beverages, and retailers offering 10%–20% discounts. Highlights include multi-day opportunities such as Outback Steakhouse’s 3-Course Salute on November 10 and 11, extended redemptions such as Freddy’s combo meal cards through December 31, 2025, and retail stacking at home improvement stores. Coffee and quick-service deals are widespread, while services like Great Clips haircuts and Sheetz car washes provide additional day-of value. Theme park pass discounts at 50% off from Busch Gardens and SeaWorld make a longer trip feasible for many families.

Conclusion

Veterans Day freebies and discounts represent a nationwide expression of appreciation, spanning restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, services, and attractions. For 2025, the breadth of offers gives veterans, active-duty service members, and their families multiple ways to save and celebrate. Most offers center on November 11, but a few extend into adjacent days or beyond, and a small number of brands—such as Whataburger—continue weekly offers through the end of 2025. Success on the day depends on preparation: verify locations, bring valid ID, understand dine-in or app requirements, and use promo codes when specified. With a little planning, families can take advantage of free meals, discounts on groceries, retail savings, and service perks, making Veterans Day a day of both recognition and value.

Sources

1. The Krazy Coupon Lady: 2025 Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts
2. ConsumerAffairs: Veterans Day Freebies—Meals, Coffee, Haircuts
3. VA Claims Insider: Best Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts