(Gray News) – Veterans Day is a time to pay tribute to those who have served or who are actively serving in the U.S. military.
The federal holiday began on Nov. 11, 1918, when a truce between the U.S. allies and Germany to end World War I was signed on the 11th day, of the 11th month, at the 11th hour.
At the time, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it Armistice Day. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower officially renamed it Veterans Day.
Many restaurants and coffee chains are offering freebies and discounts to veterans and active-duty service members with a military ID. Many offers are limited to dine-in only guests as well.
Always be sure to check your closest location to confirm local participation.
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Here’s a list of some of the offers, according to the American Legion:
Applebee’s All active duty military, veterans, reserves and National Guard members who dine in-restaurant will receive a complimentary full-size entrée from an exclusive Veterans Day menu as a heartfelt thank-you for their service.
Applebee’s 2025 Veterans Day menu includes a choice of seven popular entrées including: 6 oz. top sirloin, classic bacon cheeseburger, chicken tenders platter, double crunch shrimp, fiesta lime chicken, oriental chicken salad or three-cheese chicken penne
Another Broken Egg Cafe Another Broken Egg Cafe, known for its Southern-inspired breakfast, brunch and lunch, is inviting all veterans, active duty and retired military personnel to enjoy a complimentary Patriot French Toast topped with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream — paired with Barista House Blend Coffee — on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, for dine-in guests presenting a valid Military ID.
Biggby Coffee BIGGBY® is proud to honor our veterans, offering veterans any 16-ounce beverage for just $1.99 on Nov. 11.
BigBoy BigBoy is honoring our heroes on Nov. 11 only for all active-duty service members and Veterans. Your choice for $5 of eggs and meat, hotcakes and meat or French toast and meat. All include coffee.
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Bob Evans This Veterans Day, Bob Evans Farmhouse Kitchen™ proudly continues its tradition of honoring those who have served by offering a free, farm-fresh meal to all veterans and active-duty military personnel on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Available for dine-in only, the 2025 Veterans Day menu features 10 hearty favorites, served all day long at Bob Evans restaurants.
Buffalo Wild Wings This Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Buffalo Wild Wings is honoring past and present armed service members by offering 10 FREE Boneless Wings and Fries with valid ID. Available dine-in and walk-in at participating locations.
California Pizza Kitchen All veterans and active duty receive a free meal on Veterans Day. Offer valid for veterans and active military only on Nov. 11, 2025, choose one entrée from our special Veterans Day menu, dine-in only.
Chicken Salad Chick All veterans and active military receive a free meal with one side and drink on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Valid in restaurant or drive thru only. Not valid on online orders or delivery orders. Must show military ID/DD214 to redeem this special offer. Valid at ALL Chicken Salad Chick locations.
Chili’s Today and every day we thank you, our veterans and active military members who define selfless service. We look forward to once again showing our gratitude with a free Veterans Day meal as a small way to honor your service and the sacrifices you’ve made for our country. All veterans & active military members can get a free meal on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025, at all participating Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurants. Available in-restaurant only for select items.
Chipotle The military community can enjoy any entrée and get a second entrée for free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov.11 at restaurants across the U.S. All guests with a valid military ID are eligible for the promotion. How It Works: On Tuesday, November 11 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time, guests who present their valid military ID at any U.S. Chipotle restaurant and enjoy an entrée in-restaurant will receive a second entrée for free.* The promotion applies to Chipotle bowls, burritos, salads and taco entrees.
Cicis Pizza Cicis Pizza is offering a free adult buffet for all veterans and active-duty military (dine-in only, valid at all locations).
Cracker Barrel Veterans, we thank and salute you. Enjoy a free sunrise pancake special this Veterans Day. Valid on 11/11/25, while supplies last. Dine-in only, proof of military service required.
Denny’s This Veterans Day, Denny’s invites active and retired military personnel to America’s Diner to enjoy a FREE Original Grand Slam® from 5 a.m. (store open) to noon local time at participating locations nationwide. The iconic, guest-favorite meal features two delicious and fluffy buttermilk pancakes, two crispy strips of bacon, two sausage links and two eggs made to order. To redeem this offer, veterans and active-duty military need to present a valid military ID or DD 214.
Dickey’s This Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, veterans and active-duty military personnel are invited to enjoy a FREE pulled pork sandwich at all Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations nationwide. The offer is available for dine-in or carryout with a valid military ID, limit one per guest for the day.
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Golden Corral This year marks the 25th anniversary of Military Appreciation Night, where we will continue our tradition of honoring our active and former military members. Military Appreciation Night will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 4 p.m. – close. We will once again honor our military heroes with a free “thank you” meal.
Hooters On Nov. 11 all military eat free. Active and retired military can choose one free meal from our special menu.
Houlihan’s Veterans receive a 50% discount on select entrees for Veterans Day.
IN-N-OUT Burger This Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, In-N-Out Burger will show its appreciation for all veterans, active-duty military, reserves and National Guard by offering a complimentary meal, including any burger, fries, and beverage on In-N-Out Burger’s menu. All current and former members of the U.S. military will additionally receive a special edition Veterans Day decal. U.S. veterans and active duty-military are respectfully asked to present proof of military service to receive the complimentary made-to-order meal of choice offered at all In-N-Out Burger locations open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11. In-N-Out currently has locations throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, and Washington.
IHOP This Veterans Day, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, we’re giving our vets a free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo! Enjoy two buttermilk pancakes topped with glazed strawberries, blueberry topping and whipped topping. Served with two eggs, hash browns and your choice of two strips of crispy hickory-smoked bacon or two pork sausage links.
Joe’s Crab Shack We honor those who have served and invite Veterans to enjoy 20% off their meal when they dine-in this veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025.
Little Caesars In keeping with its longstanding tradition of giving back to those who serve, Little Caesars® is once again offering a free HOT-N-READY® Lunch Combo to veterans and active-duty military members this Veterans Day.
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., veterans and active military can enjoy a complimentary Lunch Combo, which includes four slices of Little Caesars signature Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage.
Logan’s Roadhouse This Veterans Day, our miliary eats free on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Active-duty military and veterans enjoy one free meal from our Veterans Day menu with proof of service.
Mission BBQ Free sandwich on Veterans Day for American heroes – our veterans. Join us at noon for our live National Anthem.
O’Charley’s O’Charley’s will provide veterans and active-duty military with a free entrée from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Nov. 10 and Nov. 11, such as Salisbury steak, shrimp scampi and more. Veterans and active-duty military will also receive a $5 reward card for their next visit.
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina Ojos Locos Sports Cantina is offering 20% off all food items for veterans and active-duty military (valid at all locations).
Olive Garden On Nov. 11, we will offer each veteran and current member of the military who dines with us a free entrée from our special menu. We ask that veterans and active military simply show proof of military service. All entrées include freshly baked garlic breadsticks, and your choice of homemade soup or our famous house salad. You may choose one of the following: Never Ending Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks, cheese ravioli, spaghetti & meatballs, fettuccine alfredo or chicken parmigiana.
Military members pledge to serve our country without question and that’s why we at Olive Garden pledge to serve them this Veterans Day!
Outback Steakhouse We’re honoring military mates with a free Aussie 3-course meal. Enjoy a starter, choice of select entrée, and dessert when you dine in restaurant on Nov. 10 and 11 to celebrate the Marine Corp birthday and Veterans Day. Show your military ID to your server to redeem.
Playa Bowls Playa Bowls, the nation’s leading superfruit bowl shop, is offering free bowls for all veterans, active duty and retired military personnel with a valid ID on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at participating locations nationwide. Guests can enjoy any of Playa’s fresh, made-to-order superfruit bowls featuring acai, pitaya, coconut, or green bases topped with fruit, granola, and drizzles.
Red Lobster In honor of Veterans Day/Remembrance Day, and to thank veterans, active-duty military, and reservists for their service, Red Lobster is offering a FREE Veterans Shrimp & Chips entrée on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025. You will receive our delicious Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Chesapeake fries, and coleslaw; and all you need to do is show proof of your military service. (Taxes and gratuity are not included. Dine-in only).
Red Robin We’re honored to serve you! Veterans and miliary members enjoy a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger exclusively on Veterans Day for dine-in.
Scooter’s Scooter’s Coffee is offering a special thank-you to veterans and active-duty military members in honor of Veterans Day. On Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, anyone with a valid military ID is invited to Scoot On Around® to any of the 890+ locations nationwide to receive a free medium drink as a token of gratitude and appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
Offer is good for one medium drink at any Scooter’s Coffee location with a valid Military ID. Mobile order ahead is not available for this promotion. Limit one redemption per customer only on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025.
Shoney’s Vets and active miliary eat free from our breakfast fresh food bar this Veterans Day. Valid Tuesday, Nov. 11 from open until 11 a.m.
Sonny’s BBQ Free BBQ for the brave. Veterans and active military receive a Pork Big Deal on Nov. 11. Verify your status on website and sign up for rewards by Sun. Nov. 9. Only available for one meal per check, for orders placed Tuesday Nov. 11, 2025.
Starbucks On Veterans Day, veterans, military servicemembers and military spouses can enjoy a free tall (12 fl.oz) brewed coffee (hot or iced) on us. Offer valid at participating U.S. stores. Offer valid 11/11/2025 on café and drive-thru orders only.
TCBY Free Froyo for veterans and active military. To show our appreciation for the men and women who have served and continue to serve this country, we’re treating all veterans and active military with valid ID to their first 6 oz. of froyo FREE this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025.
Texas Roadhouse On Veterans Day, we’re honored to offer free meals to veterans and active military members across the country.
Viva Chicken Viva Chicken is proud to serve veterans and active-duty military every day of the year, and this Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, these heroes can eat for free with guest purchase at all Viva Chicken restaurants.
Wienerschnitzel On Tuesday, Nov.11, all veterans and active-duty military are invited to enjoy a free original chili dog, small fries, and small soda at participating Wienerschnitzel locations nationwide, available all day with a valid military ID or proof of service.
White Castle White Castle®, the family-owned business popular for its restaurant and retail Sliders, is celebrating Veterans Day by offering a free individual combo meal or a breakfast combo meal to all veterans and active-duty service members who dine at a participating White Castle restaurant. The special offer is valid on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Wings and Rings Join us for a free dine-in lunch combo available ALL DAY on Nov. 11 as a token of appreciation for your service. It’s our way of saying thanks.
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