Country Buffet Veterans Day Free Meals 2019 Offers For Military Personnel

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, presents an opportunity for businesses across the United States to honor military personnel through special offers and free meals. Among the most notable promotions are those from country buffet chains, which traditionally provide complimentary meals to veterans and active duty service members. The 2019 Veterans Day celebrations featured significant offerings from several buffet establishments, with specific eligibility requirements and participation guidelines varying by location.

Old Country Buffet and Home Town Buffet Offers

Old Country Buffet and its sister chain Home Town Buffet participated in the 2019 Veterans Day celebrations by offering a substantial free meal deal to military personnel. According to promotional materials, both chains provided one free buffet and a complimentary non-bottled beverage to all veterans and active duty service members on November 11, 2019.

The offer was available at participating locations throughout the United States during regular business hours. While most establishments implemented the promotion from open to close, specific participation may have varied by location. Documentation indicates that the offer was subject to availability and "while supplies last," suggesting that some locations might have limited quantities of certain food items.

No specific proof of service requirements were detailed in the source materials, though most military promotions typically require some form of identification such as a military ID card, DD-214 form, or other documentation verifying service status. Customers were advised to contact their local restaurants directly to confirm participation details and any specific documentation requirements.

Golden Corral Military Appreciation Event

Golden Corral has established itself as a prominent supporter of military personnel through its annual Military Appreciation Monday event, which coincides with Veterans Day. In 2019, the chain continued this tradition by offering a complimentary dinner buffet to military veterans, retirees, and active duty members.

The promotion was available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at participating Golden Corral locations across the country. Similar to other military promotions, proof of service status was required to receive the free meal. The documentation does not specify whether the beverage was included with the dinner buffet, though most comparable offers typically include a non-alcoholic beverage.

Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday has become a well-established annual event, with the chain having served millions of complimentary meals to military personnel over the years. The 2019 promotion continued this tradition of honoring those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Additional Restaurant Offers for Veterans Day 2019

Beyond country buffet chains, numerous other restaurants participated in Veterans Day 2019 by offering free meals or discounts to military personnel. These offers, while not specifically buffet-style, demonstrate the widespread recognition of Veterans Day as an occasion to honor service members.

Chain Restaurant Offers

Applebee's restaurants offered veterans and active-duty military personnel a free meal from a limited menu on November 11, 2019. This promotion has been a tradition for the chain for over a decade, with Applebee's reporting having served more than 9.8 million free meals to military personnel since the program began in 2008. The 2019 Veterans Day menu included items such as the Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, Chicken Tenders Platter, Fiesta Lime Chicken, and Double Crunch Shrimp.

Chili's Grill & Bar provided complimentary meals to all veterans and active duty service members at all participating locations. The documentation does not specify whether the offer was limited to a select menu or included any menu items.

Bob Evans restaurants offered free meals from a select menu for active duty and veterans on Veterans Day. Similarly, Mimi's Cafe provided one free breakfast, lunch, or dinner from a select menu with the purchase of any drink. The free meal options at Mimi's included Fried Chicken & Waffles, Brioche French Toast, Four Buttermilk Griddlecakes, Slow-Roasted Turkey, Brioche Cheeseburger, or a Mandarin Chicken Salad.

Fast food and casual dining chains also participated in the Veterans Day celebrations. Wienerschnitzel offered one free chili dog, small fries, and a Pepsi to veterans and active-duty military on November 11. Pilot Flying J provided all active and retired military with free breakfast and coffee on November 11. Dunkin' Donuts offered veterans a free donut in-store only, while supplies lasted.

Restaurant Chain-Specific Promotions

Several restaurant chains implemented Veterans Day promotions with specific terms and conditions:

• Buffalo Wild Wings offered six free boneless wings and fries with valid ID at participating locations.
• Chipotle provided a buy-one-entree-get-one-free deal from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Circle K offered free hot or iced medium coffee.
• Cracker Barrel provided a free Sunrise Pancake Breakfast.
• Denny's offered a free Original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Firehouse Subs implemented a buy-any-size-sub-get-a-second-one-free promotion.
• IHOP offered a free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo as part of its 'Heroes Eat Free' program.
• Insomnia Cookies provided a free deluxe cookie with a $5 purchase from November 8-11 with valid military ID.
• Little Caesars offered a complimentary lunch combo including four slices of signature Detroit-style deep dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Logan's Roadhouse provided a free meal from a select menu starting at 11 a.m.
• Taco John's offered all active, reserve, retired and honorably discharged members of the U.S. military a free small Beef #1 Combo Meal when redeemed through the Taco John's App.
• Tap House Grill offered all active, inactive and retired military personnel a free meal and a Sam Adams pint while supplies lasted.
• TCBY provided the first 6oz free for veterans and active military on November 11.
• Texas Roadhouse distributed vouchers for a free meal to all Veterans and Active Duty military from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in their parking lots.
• Tijuana Flats offered 50% off all adult entrees with valid ID for in-store and takeout orders, as well as online orders through the Tijuana Flats Rewards app.
• Torchy's Tacos provided complimentary taco and beverage from a select Veterans Day menu.
• Twin Peaks offered all veterans, active duty military and reservists free meals from a select menu.
• Uno's Pizzeria & Grill offered a free entree or individual pizza.
• Wendy's provided a free small breakfast combo with valid military ID.

Eligibility Requirements and Documentation

Most Veterans Day meal promotions required proof of military service or status. The specific documentation requirements varied by establishment, with some accepting military ID cards, others accepting DD-214 forms, and some allowing service members to participate by wearing their uniforms.

Documentation typically specified that the offers were valid for active duty service members, veterans, and in some cases, reservists and retirees. Some promotions extended to spouses or family members, though the source materials did not specify which offers included this accommodation.

The majority of offers required participants to dine in-restaurant, with only a few establishments accepting takeout orders or online redemptions. Some promotions, like those at Texas Roadhouse and Taco John's, required participants to use specific apps or redemption methods.

Participation Guidelines and Limitations

Participation in Veterans Day meal promotions was subject to several common limitations across all establishments:

1. Location Participation: Not all locations within a chain participated in the promotions. Customers were advised to contact their local restaurants to confirm participation.

2. Time Restrictions: Most offers were only available on Veterans Day itself (November 11, 2019) during specific hours. For example, Golden Corral's offer was available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., while Denny's promotion was available from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.

3. Menu Limitations: Many offers were restricted to select menu items rather than entire menus. Some establishments offered specially created Veterans Day menus.

4. Availability Limitations: Some offers were subject to availability and "while supplies last" conditions, which could impact the ability of all qualified individuals to receive the complimentary meals.

5. One-Per-Customer Limits: Most promotions limited the offer to one per qualified military personnel, though some allowed additional family members to order from the special menu.

Non-Food Veterans Day Offers

In addition to meal promotions, several businesses offered non-food discounts and services to military personnel on Veterans Day 2019:

Hair Care Services

• Great Clips offered veterans and current military members either a free haircut on November 11 or a free haircut card to use at a later date.
• Some Sport Clips locations provided free haircuts on November 11.
• SmartStyle Hair Salons offered a 10% discount off any services and professional products for current or former military members and veterans.

Health Services

• American Family Care offered free flu shots to veterans on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11.

Retail Discounts

Several retailers offered Veterans Day discounts on various products:

• iGourmet offered 10% off with the code NEWS from November 11 through November 18.
• Hamilton Beach provided 20% off kitchen equipment with the code VETERAN20 from November 11 through November 17.
• Illy offered 25% off coffee, tea, and coffee products with the code CFNewsweek25.

Historical Context of Veterans Day Dining Promotions

While the source materials do not provide extensive historical context, several references suggest that restaurant promotions for Veterans Day have become increasingly common over the years. Applebee's, for example, has offered free meals to military personnel on Veterans Day since 2008, serving over 9.8 million complimentary meals as of 2019.

The Golden Corral Military Appreciation Monday has also become an annual tradition, though the source materials do not specify how long this promotion has been in place. These long-standing traditions indicate that restaurant promotions for military personnel have evolved into significant annual events that many establishments look forward to participating in each year.

Planning for Veterans Day Promotions

For military personnel planning to take advantage of Veterans Day promotions, the source materials suggest several best practices:

1. Call Ahead: Since participation can vary by location, calling ahead to confirm participation and specific requirements is advisable.

2. Verify Documentation Requirements: Different establishments may require different forms of proof of service. Having multiple forms of documentation available can ensure smooth participation.

3. Arrive Early or During Off-Peak Hours: Popular promotions may lead to longer wait times, particularly during peak dining hours.

4. Check for App-Based Offers: Some promotions, like those at Taco John's, require using specific apps or mobile ordering systems.

5. Be Aware of Time Restrictions: Many offers are only available during specific hours on Veterans Day, so timing visits accordingly is important.

Business Participation in Veterans Day Honoring

The widespread participation of businesses in Veterans Day promotions demonstrates a significant trend of corporate America honoring military personnel. The source materials document participation from various sectors, including:

• Full-service restaurants
• Fast food chains
• Coffee shops
• Buffet establishments
• Hair salons
• Health providers
• Specialty food retailers
• Kitchen appliance manufacturers

This broad participation across different business categories suggests that honoring military personnel on Veterans Day has become a common business practice, with many establishments viewing it as an opportunity to demonstrate community support and appreciation for service members.

Conclusion

Veterans Day 2019 offered numerous opportunities for military personnel to receive complimentary meals and discounts across a wide range of establishments. Country buffet chains, including Old Country Buffet/Home Town Buffet and Golden Corral, provided significant free meal offerings to honor service members. These promotions, along with those from numerous other restaurants and businesses, demonstrated widespread recognition of Veterans Day as an occasion to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

While specific details about participation requirements, menu selections, and documentation needs varied by establishment, the common thread was a collective effort to show appreciation for military service. For military personnel planning to participate in future Veterans Day promotions, calling ahead to confirm participation requirements and being prepared with appropriate documentation remains advisable.

As these promotions continue to evolve, they represent an important way for businesses to demonstrate support for military personnel while providing tangible benefits to those who have served their country.

Sources

1. Veterans Day 2019: Deals For Military Across The Country
2. Old Country Buffet Veterans Day Offer
3. Newsweek Veterans Day Deals 2019
4. VA.gov Veterans Day Discounts 2019
5. WSET Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts
6. People Magazine Military Restaurant Deals
7. WTOC Veterans Day Deals