Comprehensive Guide To Veterans Day 2025 Free Meals And Discounts For Military Personnel And Veterans

Veterans Day 2025, falling on Tuesday, November 11, provides an opportunity for businesses across the United States to honor military personnel and veterans through special offers, discounts, and complimentary items. This annual tradition allows service members to receive recognition through various promotions, including free meals at restaurants, discounts on retail purchases, and special offers at service establishments. The following guide provides a comprehensive overview of the verified Veterans Day 2025 offers available to active-duty military, veterans, reservists, guardsmen, and in some cases, their family members.

Restaurant Free Meals and Special Offers

Numerous restaurant chains and local establishments participate in Veterans Day celebrations by offering complimentary meals or special discounts to military personnel. These offers typically require proof of service status and may have specific time restrictions or menu limitations.

National Restaurant Chains

Applebee's has established itself as a leader in Veterans Day promotions, having served more than 12 million free meals to service members and veterans over 18 years. On November 11, 2025, active-duty military, veterans, reservists, and guardsmen receive a free dine-in meal from a select menu, which includes options such as a classic bacon cheeseburger, a 6-ounce top sirloin, chicken tenders platter, double crunch shrimp, lime chicken, Oriental chicken salad, and three-cheese chicken penne. Additionally, veterans receive a $5 card to redeem for a meal to use within three weeks.

Golden Corral marks its 25th year of offering the Military Appreciation Night tradition, having served more than 6.6 million meals to date. The restaurant provides a free dinner buffet and beverage to veterans and active-duty military members from 4 p.m. to close on November 11.

Bad Daddy's Burger Bar offers veterans a free BD's Burger with a classic side until 4 p.m. on November 11. Bandana's BBQ provides veterans with a free Pork Sandwich Meal with a regular side on the same day.

Red Robin offers veterans and active-duty military a free dine-in Red's Big Tavern Burger with a side of Bottomless Fries at participating locations. Additionally, through November 30, customers can purchase Red Robin gift cards to be donated to local veteran organizations.

Ruby Tuesday provides veterans, retirees, and active-duty service members with a free Endless Garden Bar or Add-on Garden Bar on November 11 (dine-in only, code: VETERANS25).

Other national restaurant offerings include:

• Buffalo Wild Wings: Six free boneless wings and fries with valid ID at participating locations
• Chili's: Free meal at participating restaurants
• Chipotle: Buy one entree, get a second one free from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Cracker Barrel: Free Sunrise Pancake Breakfast
• Denny's: Free Original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Firehouse Subs: Buy any size sub and get a second one free
• IHOP: Free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo as part of 'Heroes Eat Free'
• Little Caesars: 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: Free meal from a select menu starting at 11 a.m.
• Pluckers Wing Bar: Veterans and active-duty service members dining in receive an entree, side, and non-alcoholic beverage (up to $16 value)
• Rocks & Brews: Free Pulled Pork Sandwich or Strawberry Fields Salad for veterans and active-duty military (dine-in only)
• Texas Roadhouse: Free meals for veterans and active service members (continuing its annual tradition)
• Wings Etc. Grill & Pub: Free entrée at participating locations

Coffee and Quick Service Establishments

Several coffee shops and quick service establishments participate in Veterans Day offerings:

• Aroma Joe's: Veterans receive a free 24-ounce drink of their choice on November 11
• BIGGBY Coffee: Veterans receive any 16-ounce beverage for $1.99 on November 11
• Circle K: Free hot or iced medium coffee
• Dunkin' Donuts: Veterans receive a free donut while supplies last, in-store only
• ZIPS Car Wash: Veterans and active military receive a free top car wash when using code VETS at check-out

Regional and Local Restaurant Offers

Local businesses across the country also participate in honoring military personnel on Veterans Day:

• Bob Evans: Free meal from a special menu to veterans and active duty members
• Biscuit Belly: Free biscuit sandwich from a select menu and a drip coffee or fountain drink for veterans
• City BBQ: Complimentary meal to all veterans and active service members with valid ID
• McDonald's: Free breakfast meals on Veterans Day
• Bar Louie: Veterans and active-duty service members dining in receive a free burger (excluding the Big Louie) on November 10 and 11

Retail Discounts and Special Promotions

Beyond restaurants, numerous retailers and service providers offer special discounts and promotions for military personnel and veterans on Veterans Day.

Grocery and Retail Discounts

Several grocery stores and retailers offer military discounts on November 11:

• Publix: Veterans and active service members save 10% on groceries
• Price Chopper: 11% discount for veterans and active-duty military
• Kroger: 10% discount to active duty and veteran military service members for both in-store and pick-up shopping
• Pilot: 10% discount on food and drinks for veterans, military, and family members when using the Pilot app (daily offer)

Food and Beverage Discounts

• Barbeque at Home by Dickey's: Veterans receive a 15% discount on all orders (code: VETERAN15) from November 11 through December 31
• Red Lobster: Veterans and active-duty service members receive a free Shrimp & Chips entree when dining in, plus a daily 10% military discount

Service and Entertainment Discounts

• Great Clips: Free haircuts to veterans and active military members; non-military customers can participate by getting a haircut and receiving a free haircut card to give to a veteran
• Emagine Theatre: Veterans and active military and a guest can watch free movies on Tuesday at all Emagine Theatre locations in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin (tickets must be purchased at the theater's box office)
• Buddy's Pizzeria: Veterans and active military receive 15% off their bill when dining in at full-service locations

Hotel Accommodation Discounts

Several hotel chains offer special rates for military personnel and veterans:

• Red Roof Inn: 15% off the room rate at any Red Roof nationwide for all government, military, vets and retirees
• Super 8: Eligible military members can save 15% on their Best Available Rate at participating Super 8 by Wyndham hotels in the U.S. and Canada

Entertainment and Attraction Discounts

• Anheuser Busch Parks: Discounted admission to several Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks for military personnel (though none are specifically mentioned as being in the Twin Cities area)

Free Digital Offers

• Operation Money: A Financial Guide for Military Service Members and Families [Kindle Edition With Audio/Video] is available as a free Kindle download

Eligibility and Requirements

Most Veterans Day offers require proof of military service status. The following general eligibility criteria apply across most promotions:

• Active-duty military personnel
• Veterans
• Reservists
• National Guard members
• In some cases, retirees and family members

Required documentation typically includes: - Valid military identification card - DD-214 discharge papers - Veterans organization card - Driver's license with veteran designation

Many offers specify that they are valid only on November 11, 2025, unless otherwise noted. Some promotions have time restrictions, operating only during specific hours on Veterans Day. Additionally, most offers specify that they are for dine-in service only and do not include tax and gratuity.

Regional Variations and Local Offers

While many national chains offer consistent promotions across locations, some regional and local businesses may have their own unique offers. Veterans are encouraged to check with local establishments in their area for additional promotions that may not be included in this comprehensive list.

For example, in Branson, MO, Veterans Homecoming Week is celebrated from November 5 to November 11 with complimentary events, discounts, celebrations, and meals for veterans. In the 21Country region (including Fort Wayne, Indiana), several businesses including McDonald's, City BBQ, and Wings Etc. Grill & Pub offer special Veterans Day promotions.

Conclusion

Veterans Day 2025 provides numerous opportunities for military personnel and veterans to receive recognition through complimentary meals, discounts, and special offers. From free restaurant meals and grocery discounts to service promotions and entertainment offers, businesses across the country have established traditions of honoring those who have served.

When planning to take advantage of these offers, veterans should remember to bring proper identification, verify location-specific details, and be aware of any time restrictions or limitations. The comprehensive list provided here represents verified offers for Veterans Day 2025, though individual locations may have additional promotions or modified terms.

As Veterans Day continues to be celebrated each year on November 11, the tradition of businesses offering special recognition to military personnel and veterans appears to be growing, with many establishments extending their commitments beyond a single day to year-round discounts and appreciation programs.

Sources

1. We Are The Mighty - Veterans Day 2025 Freebies, Discounts and Deals
2. WSET - List Places Offering Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts
3. Detroit Free Press - Veterans Day 2025 Free Offers and Discounts
4. 21Alive News - List of Veterans Day Deals
5. Twin Cities Frugal Mom - Veterans Day Freebies and Deals 2025