Memorial Day Restaurant Offers For Military Free Meals And Discounts

Memorial Day is a significant occasion when Americans honor military personnel who have lost their lives in service to their country. In addition to remembrance, many restaurants show their appreciation to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families by offering special deals, discounts, and complimentary meals. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Memorial Day restaurant offers available to military personnel and their families across the United States.

National Restaurant Chains with Memorial Day Military Offers

Several national restaurant chains extend special appreciation to military personnel during Memorial Day weekend:

Applebee's

Applebee's offers a 10% discount on the final bill for all active and retired military service members and their families who dine at participating locations. This discount applies to Memorial Day weekend and requires presentation of appropriate military identification.

Dairy Queen

Multiple Dairy Queen locations provide discounts for military and veterans, with some establishments offering up to 50% off selected menu items. To receive these discounts, customers must present a valid military ID at checkout.

Dunkin'

Dunkin' shows appreciation for veterans by offering medium refreshers at a reduced price of $3. Available flavors include Tropical Guava, Strawberry Dragonfruit, Mango Pineapple, and Raspberry Watermelon, all with the option of Lemonade or Sparkling Water. This special pricing is available to veterans during the Memorial Day period.

Outback Steakhouse

During Memorial Day weekend, Outback Steakhouse provides a 20% discount on meals for active military personnel, veterans, police officers, and firefighters. This offer requires presentation of valid identification at the time of purchase. Additionally, Outback offers a year-round Heroes Discount that extends a 10% discount to military veterans and service members, police officers, firefighters, first responders, nurses, doctors, and medical staff.

Wendy's

Wendy's partners with WeSalute to provide a range of deals on menu items for veterans enrolled in the WeSalute program during Memorial Day weekend. These special offers include discounts on hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and other signature menu offerings. The benefits extend to active duty personnel, military retirees, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families.

Denny's

Denny's offers a Memorial Day weekend promotion where customers can receive $10 off orders of $30 or more. This promotion is valid between Friday, May 23 and Sunday, May 25, making it an attractive option for families looking to dine out during the holiday weekend.

Regional and Local Restaurant Offers

Beyond national chains, numerous regional and local restaurants also honor military personnel during Memorial Day:

Diego Pops

Located in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, Diego Pops offers 20% off all food (excluding alcohol) for active military and veterans on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. This taco hotspot demonstrates local appreciation for service members with this substantial discount.

Grimaldi's Pizzeria

Grimaldi's Pizzeria shows gratitude to military service members and veterans by providing a 15% discount. To receive this discount, guests must present their military ID. The offer is valid for dine-in and call-in takeout orders, providing flexibility for service members.

Hash Kitchen

Hash Kitchen offers a special Memorial Day-themed red, white, and blue cocktail available for $14 throughout the holiday weekend. This patriotic beverage provides an option for service members and their families to celebrate the occasion.

Kona Grill

Kona Grill extends a 20% discount on food throughout Memorial Day weekend to veterans, active-duty military personnel, reserves, first responders, and gold star families. To receive this discount, customers must show proof of military or veteran ID.

Comparison with Veterans Day Offers

While the focus is on Memorial Day, it's worth noting that many restaurants offer similar or even more generous deals on Veterans Day, which occurs in November. Some establishments provide free meals rather than discounts on this holiday:

• BJ's Restaurants & Brewhouse offers a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie dessert to active-duty and retired military on Veterans Day.
• Beef 'O' Brady's provides a free burger and fries to all veterans and active-duty military.
• Blaze Pizza offers a free one-topping pizza to veterans and active-duty military personnel, plus donates $1 from every pizza sold to Folds of Honor.
• The Brass Tap provides a free burger and fries.
• Kings Family Restaurant offers a free meal from a special Veterans Day menu.
• Kona Grill offers a complimentary entrée up to $49 value.
• Krispy Kreme offers a free doughnut and small coffee.
• Lazy Dog Restaurants offer a free Fireside Favorite.
• Little Caesars offers a complimentary Lunch Combo during a specific time window.
• Logan's Roadhouse offers a free meal from the Veterans Day menu.
• Main Event offers a free double cheeseburger with fries and 30 minutes of game play.
• Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Co. offers a free 12 oz draft beer or soda.
• Max & Erma's offers a free cheeseburger.

These Veterans Day offers demonstrate the ongoing commitment of restaurants to honor and support military personnel beyond just Memorial Day.

Eligibility and Requirements

For Memorial Day offers, the following general requirements typically apply:

1. Military Identification: Most restaurants require presentation of a valid military ID. This includes active-duty personnel, veterans, and sometimes reservists and National Guard members.
2. Family Members: Some establishments extend offers to immediate family members when accompanied by the service member.
3. Dine-in vs. Takeout: While many offers are valid for dine-in only, some restaurants like Grimaldi's Pizzeria also include takeout options.
4. Specific Timeframes: Offers are typically valid only on Memorial Day or during the designated holiday weekend.
5. Exclusions: Most offers exclude alcohol, and some may exclude certain menu items or have minimum purchase requirements.

Tips for Military Personnel Seeking Memorial Day Restaurant Offers

1. Always carry military identification when dining out during Memorial Day weekend.
2. Call ahead to confirm participation in military discount programs, as participation may vary by location.
3. Check if offers can be combined with other promotions or if they have any specific restrictions.
4. Consider making reservations for larger groups, especially at popular establishments.
5. Take advantage of both national chain and local restaurant offers to maximize benefits.
6. Remember that these offers are tokens of appreciation for service to the country, so enjoy them respectfully.

Conclusion

Memorial Day provides an opportunity for restaurants across the United States to express gratitude to military personnel and their families through special offers, discounts, and complimentary meals. From national chains like Applebee's, Dairy Queen, and Outback Steakhouse to local establishments like Diego Pops and Grimaldi's Pizzeria, numerous dining options extend appreciation to those who have served. These offers not only provide tangible benefits but also serve as reminders of the respect and gratitude that American businesses and communities hold for their military members. As Memorial Day approaches, military personnel and their families can take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy meals out while honoring the holiday's true purpose of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Sources

1. AZFamily - Memorial Day Deals for Military in Phoenix
2. Deseret - Memorial Day Food Deals 2025
3. USA Today - Veterans Day Deals 2025
4. WBAY - Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts
5. Military.com - Restaurants with Veterans Day Discounts