Charlotte Businesses Honor Veterans With Free Meals And Discounts

Charlotte area businesses are showing their appreciation for military service members through a variety of special offers and freebies in honor of Veterans Day. Restaurants, retail establishments, and service providers across the Charlotte metro area are extending complimentary meals, discounts, and services to active duty military personnel, veterans, and in some cases, their spouses. These offers, typically available on November 11th or during the surrounding days, represent a community-wide effort to recognize and thank those who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

Restaurant Offers for Veterans

Numerous Charlotte area restaurants are participating in Veterans Day appreciation by offering free meals to military personnel and veterans. These offers typically require valid military identification or proof of service and may have specific time restrictions or limitations on menu selections.

Full Meal Offers

Several establishments are providing complimentary complete meals to honor service members:

• Applebee's: Multiple Charlotte locations are offering a free Veterans Day meal for veterans and active military personnel.
• Bad Daddy's Burger Bar: Veterans receive a free All American Burger from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all locations.
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Veterans receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie and a free appetizer coupon for a future visit.
• Brewers at 4001 Yancey: Free meal for veterans and active duty military personnel.
• Carolina Ale House: Free rib platter for veterans at North Carolina locations (and Florida and Tennessee locations).
• Chicken Salad Chick: Free meal with a side and drink for veterans and active duty military. The meal includes one scoop or sandwich, a side and a fountain drink. In-restaurant only. Signature Sandwiches and 3-item meals are not included.
• Chili's: Free meal available in-restaurant at participating Charlotte locations for veterans and active-duty military personnel.
• Cicis Pizza: Veterans and active-duty military can eat free at participating Charlotte Cicis locations.
• City BBQ: Charlotte location offering veterans a free meal of one sandwich, a side, and a drink.
• Denny's: Participating Charlotte locations are offering a free Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Red Lobster: Participating Charlotte locations offering free Shrimp & Chips for veterans.
• Sea Level NC: Charlotte locations offering veterans a free half dozen Sea Level Salt oysters.
• Smashburger: Participating Charlotte locations providing veterans with a free All-American Single or Double Burger.
• Sullivan's Steakhouse: Providing a free Angus Burger with fries to veterans at Charlotte locations.
• Triple C Brewing: 25% off food for veterans and live music event at 2900 Griffith Street, Charlotte.
• VIVA Chicken: All Charlotte locations offer a free meal for veterans.
• The Waterman Fish Bar: Charlotte locations offering veterans a free half dozen Sea Level Salt oysters.
• Wendy's: Charlotte locations offering veterans a free Breakfast Combo.
• Wings ETC: Active duty and retired service members can receive a free entrée valued up to $13.99 with proof of service.

Breakfast and Brunch Offers

Several establishments are focusing on breakfast or morning offerings:

• Denny's: Free Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. at participating Charlotte locations.
• Panera Bread: Charlotte locations offering a free bagel and coffee for veterans before 11 a.m.
• Wendy's: Free Breakfast Combo at Charlotte locations.
• Bass Pro Shops: Free breakfast and coffee at 9 a.m. for veterans. A special Bass Pro Shops Challenge Coin is given to Veteran attendees while supplies last.

Coffee and Light Meal Offers

Coffee shops and casual dining establishments are offering lighter fare:

• Smelly Cat Coffeehouse: Free drip coffee and 50% off for veterans at 514 E 26th Street, Charlotte.
• Scooter's Coffee: Charlotte locations offering veterans a free medium drink.
• Starbucks: Participating Charlotte Starbucks stores offering a free tall brewed coffee to veterans and military spouses.
• Biscuit Belly: Veterans eat free on Monday, November 11th. Choose from Bacon Egg & Cheese, Sausage Egg & Cheese, and Chicken Biscuit Sandwich, and a hot drip coffee or fountain drink. All Biscuit Belly locations are participating. Dine in only.

Additional Restaurant Offers

• Pilot, Flying J: Veterans receive a meal credit up to $12 at Charlotte locations.
• The Smoke Pit: Locations in Concord, Salisbury, and Monroe offering a free pulled pork plate with sides to veterans.
• Mac's Speed Shop: Honoring Veterans with a special BBQ Combo Sampler complimentary with valid veteran ID or proof of service. Dine in only. Offer only valid Monday, November 11th.
• Bob Evans: Veterans and active-duty military members may receive a free, farm-fresh meal at Bob Evans on November 11th. Available for dine-in only. The Veterans Day menu features 10 hearty favorites.
• Golden Corral: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• IHOP: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Hooters: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Little Caesars: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• O'Charley's: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Piada Italian Street Food: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Red Robin: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Sonic Drive-In: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• TCBY: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Twin Peaks: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• VFW Mecklenburg Post 1160: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Ace No.3: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Emmet's Social Table: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Harriet's Hamburgers: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Hickory Tavern: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• IKEA: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Metro Diner: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).
• Sonic Drive-In: Participating in Veterans Day appreciation (specific offer details not provided in source material).

Business and Service Offers

Beyond restaurants, several Charlotte area businesses and service providers are offering complimentary services and products to honor military service members.

Automotive Services

• Autobell Car Wash: Offering a free Ride-Thru Exterior wash, or an equivalent credit toward another wash option, on Tuesday, November 11th, at all Autobell locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. No coupon, barcode, or ID is required. In the event of rain on the 11th, the offer will be honored on November 12th.
• GoodYear Auto Service: Providing a free car care check (tires, brakes, alignment, shock and struts, battery and wiper blades) for active and retired military, plus free tire installation on any tire purchase.
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport: On Monday, November 11th, U.S. active-duty military and military veterans with ID can enjoy a complimentary Pimento Cheeseburger while they dine-in at 1897 Market (Atrium), Whisky River (Concourse E), and Bad Daddy's Burger Bar (Concourse C), as well as more than 70 participating HMSHost airport restaurants.

Retail and Entertainment

• North Carolina Zoo: Military members and their spouses can get free admission to the North Carolina Zoo from November 8 to 14, 2025.
• Bass Pro Shops: Free breakfast, coffee, and a special Challenge Coin for Veteran attendees at 8181 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC. The event was announced by Bass Pro Shops, though it might take place at the Fort Mill location as well, though this has not been confirmed.

Complete List of Participating Businesses

According to WBTV, 44 businesses in the Charlotte area are offering Veterans Day deals:

1. Ace No. 3
2. Applebee's
3. Bad Daddy's Burger Bar
4. Biscuit Belly
5. Bob Evans
6. BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
7. Carolina Ale House
8. Carrabba's
9. Chicken Salad Chick
10. Chili's
11. Cicis Pizza
12. City BBQ
13. Denny's
14. Emmet's Social Table
15. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
16. Golden Corral
17. Harriet's Hamburgers
18. Hickory Tavern
19. Hooters
20. IHOP
21. IKEA
22. Little Caesars
23. Mac's Speed Shop
24. Metro Diner
25. O'Charley's
26. Panera Bread
27. Piada Italian Street Food
28. Pilot, Flying J
29. Red Lobster
30. Red Robin
31. Scooter's Coffee
32. Sea Level NC
33. Smashburger
34. Smelly Cat Coffee
35. Sonic Drive-In
36. Starbucks
37. Sullivan's Steakhouse
38. TCBY
39. Triple C Brewing
40. Twin Peaks
41. VFW Mecklenburg Post 1160
42. VIVA Chicken
43. The Waterman Fish Bar
44. Wendy's

How to Access These Offers

To take advantage of Veterans Day offers in Charlotte, service members and veterans should:

1. Bring valid military identification or proof of service to participating establishments
2. Be aware that some offers are only valid for dine-in service
3. Note specific time restrictions for certain offers (e.g., breakfast offers only available in morning hours)
4. Check with individual locations for specific menu items included in offers
5. Consider making reservations for restaurant locations, as Veterans Day can be particularly busy

Important Notes and Eligibility Requirements

The Veterans Day offers in Charlotte come with several important considerations:

• Most offers require proof of military service, such as a military ID, veteran ID card, or DD-214 form
• Some offers are limited to veterans and active duty military personnel, while others extend to military spouses
• Many offers are only valid for dine-in service and cannot be used for takeout or delivery
• Some establishments may have specific menu items included in the offer, rather than complete menu access
• Time restrictions apply to many offers, particularly for breakfast items
• Offers are typically only valid on November 11th, though some businesses may extend the offer to the surrounding weekend
• In case of inclement weather, some outdoor or drive-through services may honor offers on the following day

Restaurants Monitoring for Future Offers

Several restaurants that offered Veterans Day deals in 2024 are being monitored for potential offers in future years:

• Ace No.3
• BJ's Restaurant Brewhouse
• Brewers at 4001 Yancey
• Carrabba's
• Cicis Pizza
• Emmet's Social Table
• Metro Diner
• Panera Bread
• Red Lobster
• Red Robin
• Sea Level NC
• The Smoke Pit Restaurant
• Sonic Drive-In
• Triple C Brewing
• Twin Peaks
• VFW Mecklenburg Post 1160
• The Waterman Fish Bar

Conclusion

Charlotte area businesses demonstrate strong community support for military service members through their annual Veterans Day offerings. From complimentary meals at popular restaurants to free automotive services and entertainment options, service members and veterans have numerous opportunities to receive appreciation for their service. While most offers require valid military identification and have specific restrictions, the variety of participating businesses ensures that service members can find options that suit their preferences and needs. As Veterans Day approaches, both service members and businesses are encouraged to verify current offers directly with participating locations, as details may change from year to year.

Sources

1. Veterans Day 2019: Deals For Military In Charlotte
2. Top 35 Free Meals and Deals Around Charlotte for Veterans on Veterans Day
3. Veterans Day Freebies, Deals, Events
4. List: 44 Businesses Offering Veterans Day Deals in Charlotte