Veterans Day Freebies And Discounts A Guide To Offers For Service Members And Families

Veterans Day presents a unique opportunity for U.S. service members, veterans, and their families to access a wide array of free products, services, and discounts. This annual observance, occurring on November 11, is marked by numerous businesses and organizations expressing gratitude through special offers. The following guide details these opportunities, focusing on free meals, beverages, retail discounts, and admissions to cultural institutions, based on information provided by authoritative sources. The offers are typically valid on Veterans Day itself or during the surrounding weekend, and most require proof of military service, such as a valid military ID, veteran ID card, or other official documentation.

Free Meals and Restaurant Offers

A significant portion of Veterans Day freebies comes from the restaurant and food service industry. Many national and regional chains provide complimentary meals or desserts to veterans and active-duty personnel. These offers are generally valid for dine-in service on November 11, 2024, unless otherwise specified.

National and Regional Restaurant Chains: - Applebee’s: Veterans can choose one of eight free special Veterans Day meals and receive a $5 Bounce Back Card with a dine-in visit and proof of military service on November 11, 2024. - Another Broken Egg Café: Offers a free Patriot French Toast Combo and coffee for veterans with a dine-in visit and valid ID on November 11, 2024. - Bar Louie: Provides a free burger for veterans with a dine-in visit and valid ID on November 11, 2024. - BJ’s Restaurants: Veterans receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with a dine-in purchase and proof of service on November 11, 2024. Diners on that date will also receive a free appetizer coupon for a next visit, valid through December 31, 2024. - Bob Evans: Veterans get a free choice of a meal from a Veterans Day menu with a dine-in visit and proof of service on November 11, 2024. - Buca Di Beppo: Veterans receive a free lunch entree with a dine-in visit, military ID, and code 37362-5605-3730 on November 11, 2024. - California Pizza Kitchen: Offers a free entrée and beverage from a Veterans Day menu with a dine-in visit and proof of service on November 11, 2024. - Carrabba’s: Provides a 10% discount with a dine-in visit and proof of service (ongoing). - Chevys: Veterans get a free 2-item Combo with a dine-in visit, service ID, and code VET 2-ITEM on November 11, 2024. - City Barbeque: Offers a free sandwich, one side, and a drink with an in-store visit (dine-in or carryout) and proof of service on November 11, 2024. - Cody’s Original Roadhouse: Veterans receive a free meal (details not fully specified in the source). - Long Doggers (Florida): Veterans can pick up $20 vouchers on Veterans Day. The restaurant also offers a 10% discount for veterans and active military and a free appetizer or dessert for their table (dine-in and call-in orders). - Lucille’s Smokehouse (California): Provides a free meal plus a $10 bonus card for future use, and a 25% discount for the entire table for veterans and active military on Veterans Day. - Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (Northeast): Veterans receive 50% off an entree. - Max & Erma’s (Midwest): Veterans receive 25% off on Veterans Day (may vary by location). Additionally, veterans, active military, Gold Star spouses, and Gold Star parents can get a half-priced entree on Sunday, November 9. The source notes that there isn’t an official company-wide promotion for Veterans Day, so offers are determined by local franchise owners, but it’s common to see franchises offer free breakfast combos or coffee. - O’Charley’s Restaurant + Bar: Gives away a free meal to veterans and active-duty military members who show a valid ID between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on November 11 while dining in, along with a $5 reward card for their next visit. - P.F. Chang’s: On November 11 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., veterans can get a free lunch while dining in at participating locations. This single-use offer isn’t valid with other deals, and guests need to show a valid military ID or other proof of service. - Playa Bowls: Offers free bowls to veterans, active-duty and retired military personnel who present a valid ID on November 11 at participating locations. - Red Lobster: Provides all active-duty military, reserves, and veterans a free Shrimp & Chips entrée with proof of service on November 11. - Red Robin: Gives veterans and active-duty military a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with a choice of Bottomless side at participating locations on Veterans Day. - Thirsty Lion (Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Texas): Veterans and active military usually receive a free meal from a Veterans Day menu (dine-in only). - Tijuana Flats (Southeast): Expect a free entree for veterans and active military with purchase of a beverage. - Tocaya Modern Mexican (Arizona, California): Usually offers 50% off any in-store purchase for veterans and active-duty military personnel. - Tony C’s Pizza & Beer Garden (Texas): With the purchase of a pizza or entree, veterans and active-duty members receive a complimentary pizza or entrée of equal or lesser value. - TooJays’s (Florida): Generally offers 25% off for veterans and active-duty military. - Tucanos (Notable in some regions): Usually offers a free taco and a drink for veterans and active military. Veterans and active-duty military get a free Churrasco meal with the purchase of another Churrasco meal; if a photo of the veteran is posted on Tucanos’ Facebook page, a free dessert certificate for the next visit is provided. - Free lunch from a select Veterans Day menu is available for veterans and active-duty military from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at various locations (specific restaurant not named in the source).

Free Coffee and Beverage Offers

Coffee shops and convenience stores also participate by offering free beverages to service members.

• 7-eleven: Veterans can enjoy free coffee or a Big Gulp when they sign up or register with 7Rewards. Military members also get discounts on gas through the program year-round.
• 151 Coffee (Texas, Kansas): Offers free coffee or a drink for veterans and family.
• Acola Coffee Company (Columbia, MO): Usually offers a free house drip to veterans.
• Aroma Joe’s (New England, Florida): Usually offers a free hot or iced 24-ounce drink.
• Dunkin’ (Multiple locations): Offers a free medium cup of brewed coffee.
• Panera Bread: Offers free hot brewed coffee (locations are independently owned and operated, so it is recommended to call ahead to verify any deals).
• PJ’s Coffee: Offers veterans and active-duty military members a free 16-ounce hot or cold brew coffee on the holiday.
• Sheetz: On November 11, Sheetz invites all veterans and active-duty military personnel to enjoy a free half turkey sub and a regular size fountain drink at any of Sheetz’s 800+ store locations. The offer includes extras & add-ons to the sub. Sheetz will also provide a free car wash to veterans and active-duty military. This offer only applies to the $9 car wash option and is only available at Sheetz stores that have a car wash. Military ID or proof of service must be presented to qualify.

Retail and Service Discounts

Beyond food and beverage, various retailers and service providers offer discounts or free products.

• Sleep Number: Is offering active, veteran, retired, and reservist personnel of the US armed forces an exclusive discount—an additional 10% off your entire purchase from November 4 to 17.
• SpartanNash: Veterans and active-duty members get an 11% discount on November 9 through 11 for any purchase in their company-operated stores such as Family Fare, D&W, Martin's Super Markets, and more.
• Russell Speeder's Car Wash: Is offering free car washes to veterans and active-duty military personnel on November 11 at all locations.
• ScrubaDub: Active-duty military, veterans, and retirees can receive a free express car wash on November 11 with a valid military ID, veteran ID card, or other proof of service.
• Regal: On Veterans Day, Regal is also offering free entry to all active and former U.S. armed service members to attend showtimes of Saving Private Ryan and Brothers on Three at participating locations.

Free Admissions to Cultural and Recreational Sites

Several museums, historical sites, and recreational facilities offer free admission to veterans and their families during the Veterans Day weekend.

• Colonial Williamsburg (VA): Active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen, and their immediate dependents receive FREE admission during Veterans Day weekend (November 8–11, 2024). This includes admission to historic trades and sites, two world-class art museums, and complimentary shuttle service.
• Country Music Hall of Fame (TN): Veterans plus up to 3 immediate family members receive FREE admission on Veterans Day (November 11, 2024).
• Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (IA): Veterans receive FREE admission on November 9, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monticello (VA): US military veterans receive FREE admission for the Monticello Self-Guided Pass, Gardens and Grounds Pass, or the Highlights Tour during Veterans Day weekend (November 9–11, 2024). Active-duty military personnel receive free admission to the Highlights Tour or Grounds Ticket year-round.
• Natural History Museum of Utah (UT): Veterans plus one guest receive FREE admission during Veterans Day weekend (November 9–11, 2024). Veterans also receive a 10% discount on any purchase made at the Museum Store.
• Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (WA): Veterans receive FREE general admission for Veterans Day weekend.

Important Considerations for Veterans and Service Members

When seeking these offers, it is crucial to understand the eligibility requirements and conditions. Most promotions are specifically for U.S. military veterans, active-duty personnel, reservists, National Guard members, and in some cases, retirees. A valid military ID, veteran ID card, or other official proof of service is almost always required. Some offers extend to immediate family members, but this varies by establishment.

Many deals are valid only on Veterans Day (November 11), while others are available throughout the Veterans Day weekend (typically November 8–11, 2024). Some offers, like the Sleep Number discount, run for a longer period (November 4–17). It is advisable to confirm details directly with the specific location or restaurant, as participation and terms can vary, especially for independently owned franchises. For example, the source notes that for Max & Erma’s, offers are determined by local franchise owners, and for Panera Bread, locations are independently owned and operated.

Furthermore, some offers are for dine-in only, while others may allow carryout or in-store purchase. Certain promotions, like the free car wash at Sheetz, are limited to specific services or locations (e.g., only the $9 car wash option at stores with a car wash facility).

Conclusion

Veterans Day offers a substantial array of freebies and discounts across dining, retail, services, and cultural admissions. The offers detailed above are based on information from provided sources and represent a snapshot of the available opportunities for 2024. Service members and veterans should prepare by having their military identification ready and verifying offer details with participating locations, as terms and availability can change. These gestures of appreciation provide a tangible way for businesses to honor the service and sacrifice of military personnel and their families.

Sources

1. Best Rewards Programs - Veterans Day Freebies
2. Military.com - Retailers Veterans Day Military Discounts
3. VA Claims Insider - Best Veterans Day Freebies
4. Today.com - Veterans Day Food Deals 2025