2018 Veterans Day Free Meals Discounts And Special Offers For Military Members

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have served the United States. In 2018, many restaurants, retailers, and service providers marked the day with a range of free meals, discounts, and complimentary services for veterans and active duty military members. Offers typically required proof of service, such as a military ID, and some deals were limited to specific days or windows, while others extended across a weekend or the entire month of November. Consumers looking to take advantage of these offers should verify details and check for participating locations in advance, as availability varied by brand and market. The following overview consolidates known deals from 2018 sources, focusing on the primary categories of free food, discounts, and services, along with verification guidance and sample locations where provided.

Overview of 2018 Veterans Day Offers

In 2018, most offers were concentrated on Sunday, November 11, which marked Veterans Day. Some companies extended their promotions to Monday, November 12, while others offered deals at the beginning of November or throughout the entire month. The majority of these offers were available to veterans and active duty military members, with some extend to retirees. Many required a valid military ID or proof of service. While some deals were nationwide, others were available only at participating locations; in some cases, specific restaurant addresses were noted. To claim an offer, consumers generally needed to present their ID and, when specified, dine-in. As with all promotional programs, availability was not guaranteed at every branch, and certain offers were limited to select locations.

Free Food and Drink Deals (Sunday, November 11, 2018)

Many restaurants and cafes offered free meals, entrees, snacks, or beverages on Veterans Day. The following section breaks down those offers by brand, menu items, and any conditions specified in 2018 sources.

Breakfast, Brunch, and Coffee

• Shoney’s: Veterans and active duty military received a free all-you-care-to-eat breakfast bar from open until 11 a.m. on Monday, November 12, 2018. This extended free breakfast was available at participating Shoney’s locations.

• Bob Evans: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, veterans and active duty military could choose from a set of six items at no charge: Country Biscuit Breakfast, Brioche French Toast, The Mini Sampler, Stack of Hotcakes, Country Fried Steak Savor Dinner, or a Soup & Salad Combo. Proof of service was required. The offer was available at participating locations.

• Denny’s: On Monday, November 12, 2018, from 5 a.m. to noon, veterans and military personnel received a free “Build-Your-Own Grand Slam” at participating Denny’s locations. Proof of service was required.

• Dunkin’: At participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide, veterans and active duty military could receive a free donut of their choice with no purchase necessary on Sunday, November 11, 2018. This deal was available at participating locations.

• TCBY at Berewick: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, veterans could receive 3 ounces of frozen yogurt for free at the TCBY location at 4833-A Berewick Town Center Drive.

• Golden Corral: Golden Corral’s annual Military Appreciation Night was held Monday, November 12, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Any person who has served in the military was eligible for a free meal at participating locations.

Quick-Service and Casual Dining

• Applebee’s: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, veterans and active military could choose a free entrée from a special menu. The offer was dine-in only and required proof of service. Upstate New York reporting noted a broader selection of entrees from the special menu, including classic bacon cheeseburger, 6-ounce USDA select top sirloin dinner, chicken tenders platter, double crunch shrimp, fiesta lime chicken, Oriental grilled chicken salad, Oriental chicken salad, and three-cheese chicken penne.

• Bar Louie: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, veterans and active duty military could receive a free flatbread or burger, up to a $15 value. The offer required a military ID. Also, the brand ran a week-long “Mission for Vets” campaign from Monday, November 5 to Monday, November 12, inviting guests to donate via an add-on to their checks, with all proceeds donated to Operation Homefront’s Critical Financial Assistance program.

• BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, veterans and active military received a free entrée (up to $12.95) and a free Dr. Pepper. During the entire month of November, current and former military could receive a free Pizookie through the “Buy a Hero a Pizookie” program, while supplies lasted.

• Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active military could take advantage of freebies or discounts on Sunday, November 11, 2018, with details varying by location.

• Bonefish Grill: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, all active and retired service members with a valid military ID received a complimentary Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer at participating locations.

• BLT Steak: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, veterans and active duty military received 50% off for parties of two or less and 25% off for parties of three or more. Only one member of the party needed to be a veteran or active duty military member.

• Hooters: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, all veterans and active duty military could receive a free entrée when they purchased a beverage. Options included 10-piece Traditional Wings, 10-piece Smoked Wings, 10-piece Boneless Wings, Hooters Burger, Buffalo Chicken Salad, and Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.

• Hickory Tavern: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, veterans and active duty military were invited to a free Tavern Burger with the purchase of a beverage. The Tavern Burger was made with fresh ground beef, jack and cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles. Proof of service and identification were required, and some restrictions applied.

• Fatz Café: On Monday, November 12, all veterans and active military could receive a free World Famous Calabash Chicken basket. A military ID was required. Additionally, for the entire month of November, veterans and active military members received 25% off their meal.

• World of Beer: On Sunday, November 11, 2018, all veterans received one free draft beer or $5 off their check at participating locations.

Steakhouse and Barbecue Concepts

• The Chop House: On Sunday, November 11 and Monday, November 12, veterans with a military ID or in uniform received 50% off any dine-in lunch or dinner entrée.

• Connors Steak & Seafood: On Sunday, November 11 and Monday, November 12, veterans with a military ID or in uniform received 50% off any dine-in lunch or dinner entrée.

• Famous Dave’s: On November 11 and 12, in honor of Veterans Day, all former and current military personnel received a free two-meat combo at participating locations.

• Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que: On November 11 and 12, veterans and active military could receive free or discounted offerings, with details available at participating locations.

Pre-Veterans Day and Month-Long Offers

Some brands offered specials beginning in early November or running throughout the month. These were designed to make it easier for service members and their families to celebrate over a longer period or to take advantage of offers at times that fit their schedule.

• Eat’n Park: All active and former United States military personnel received a special 10% discount for the entire month of November at participating locations.

• Huddle House: Free order of Sweet Cakes was available to all active military members and veterans with proper ID from November 9 through November 12.

• Shane’s Rib Shack: Military personnel and veterans could receive a complimentary sandwich, regular side, and 20-ounce beverage at participating Shane’s Rib Shack locations, with the offer valid November 8 through November 10.

Services and Retail Freebies

Beyond meals, several service-based businesses offered free services on Veterans Day. These included grooming, auto care, and music retail, as well as year-long discounts at select retailers.

• Great Clips: Free haircuts for veterans and active duty military on Sunday, November 11, 2018, at participating locations.

• Sports Clips: Military members could receive a free haircut on Sunday, November 11, 2018. Additionally, $1 from every hair service on November 11 was donated to the “Help A Hero” fundraising campaign.

• Grace For Vets: Free car wash for veterans and military members on Sunday, November 11, 2018, at participating locations.

• Guitar Center: All veterans and active duty military received a free set of guitar strings and restringing service on Sunday, November 11, 2018, at any Guitar Center that offers repairs. Additionally, veterans and active duty personnel received 10% off in-store purchases all year long.

Regional Availability and Locations

Some sources provided specific addresses or regional context. In Upstate New York, several chains confirmed freebies and deals for Sunday, November 11, with local participating locations often listed in the brand’s detailed pages. Notably, the following were covered: Applebee’s, Bar Louie, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, and Buffalo Wild Wings. While most offers were nationwide or available at participating locations, it was important for consumers to confirm whether their local branch was included. In some cases, particular locations were named, such as TCBY at Berewick Town Center Drive.

Verification Guidance and How to Redeem Offers

Veterans and active duty military seeking to redeem 2018 offers followed a straightforward process, but attention to detail made a difference. First, consumers verified that their location was participating. Since many brands operated with “participating locations” language, a quick call or website check was prudent. Second, proof of service was required for nearly all offers. Valid military ID was the standard, and some offers specified in-uniform acceptance as an alternative. Third, dine-in requirements existed for certain offers; for example, Applebee’s noted dine-in only. Finally, date and time windows mattered; several offers were limited to Sunday, November 11, while others extended to Monday, November 12, or ran throughout the month.

To redeem, consumers presented their ID at checkout or when seating, selected menu items from the special menu where applicable, and observed any minimum purchase requirements. For example, Hickory Tavern’s free Tavern Burger required the purchase of a beverage, and Hooters’ free entrée required a beverage purchase. Free services like haircuts, car washes, and restringing were typically claimable by presenting ID at the service desk. When offers were part of a month-long program, such as Eat’n Park’s 10% November discount or BJ’s “Buy a Hero a Pizookie,” consumers could plan to use them across the month, subject to availability.

Strategies for Consumers to Maximize Value

While 2018 offers were designed as single-day or limited-time freebies, a thoughtful approach helped consumers and families get the most value. Confirming participating locations early ensured time and travel plans aligned with offer redemption windows. Stacking monthly discounts with single-day free meals was possible in some cases, such as Fatz Café’s month-long 25% off. For families, checking whether a party-wide discount applied—like BLT Steak’s offer where only one veteran in the party was required—made group dining more affordable. Consumers who traveled could plan stops at national chains, like Dunkin’ for a free donut, and build a schedule around the day’s freebies to cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Community Engagement and Fundraising Elements

Several 2018 offers included fundraising components or broader community support. Bar Louie’s “Mission for Vets” campaign encouraged guests to add a donation to their checks between November 5 and November 12, with proceeds directed to Operation Homefront’s Critical Financial Assistance program. Sports Clips pledged $1 from every hair service on November 11 to the “Help A Hero” campaign. These initiatives allowed civilians to contribute to veteran support while enjoying brand offers, reinforcing the celebratory nature of Veterans Day with practical help for military families.

Year-Long Discounts and Services

Beyond the single-day promotions, some brands extended benefits across the year. Guitar Center offered a 10% in-store discount to veterans and active duty military throughout 2018. Eat’n Park’s 10% month-wide discount for November created a broader appreciation window for service members in their communities. These long-term programs were beneficial for recurring purchases and service needs, like musical instrument accessories or regular dining.

Limitations and Disclaimers

Consumers should note that availability varied by location and was subject to supply constraints, particularly for limited-time menu items or programs that could run out, such as BJ’s “Buy a Hero a Pizookie.” Some offers were restricted to dine-in and required ID, and in several cases, only the veteran or active duty member needed to be present to claim the free item, while the broader party could still benefit from discounts. Hours of operation, such as Denny’s limited morning window, and end times, like Golden Corral’s 9 p.m. cutoff, mattered for planning. Offers listed here reflect 2018 promotions and may not be representative of subsequent years’ deals. Checking brand pages or calling locations remained best practice before visiting.

Conclusion

Veterans Day 2018 brought a wide array of free meals, discounts, and services for veterans and active duty military. From breakfast buffets and free donuts to steakhouse entrees and bar offerings, consumers could plan a full day of free dining with proper ID and participation confirmation. Month-long discounts provided extra value, while service-based freebies like haircuts, car washes, and guitar restringing extended appreciation beyond the table. By verifying location participation, observing date and time windows, and preparing proof of service, veterans and their families could make the most of the day’s offerings. The combination of single-day freebies, month-long programs, and community fundraising initiatives highlighted how brands used Veterans Day to thank service members, while consumers navigated the deals to ensure a smooth and rewarding experience.

Sources

1. 30+ Free meals (and more) for military on Veterans Day 2018
2. List of 2018 Veterans Day Freebies, Thank You For Your Service
3. Veterans Day 2018 freebies, deals, more
4. Veterans Day 2018