Restaurants and businesses are saluting veterans and active-duty military personnel Wednesday.
They’re offering free meals, treats and special discounts on Veterans Day to show their appreciation for all those who have sacrificed for the country.
Proof of service such as a military ID is typically required and a few businesses will allow dressing in uniform as a form of identification. Discharge papers, VA cards and veteran organization membership cards also can be used to prove service at most businesses.
The majority of discounts are valid only on Veterans Day at participating locations nationwide with most applying to veterans and active-duty military.
Target military discount:Target is offering a 10% military discount Sunday through Veterans Day. Here’s how to sign up.
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Some exclusions apply and offers can vary by location. Check with your closest location to confirm participation.
Veterans Day freebies and discounts
The following offers are available Wednesday unless otherwise noted. Most are for dine-in only and some require a mobile app.
7-Eleven: Veterans with a Veterans Advantage account can link their account to the convenience store chain’s 7Rewards loyalty program to get special offers including a free cup of coffee for Veterans Day. Learn more at www.7-eleven.com.
Applebee’s: Free meal from a special menu but offers can vary.
Bar Louie:Free burger or flatbread.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s:Free meal up to $10. No purchase required.
Ben’s Soft Pretzels:Free jumbo soft pretzel.
Biggby Coffee: Free hot brewed coffee up to 24 ounces.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Free meal up to $14.95 and free Dr. Pepper beverage.
Bob Evans: Free meal from a special menu.
Bonefish Grill:Ongoing 10% discount daily.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Free order of 10 boneless wings and fries.
California Pizza Kitchen: Free meal from a special menu.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill:Free order of calamari with any purchase to all veterans, active military, police officers and firefighters with a valid ID through Wednesday. The chain also has an ongoing 10% discount for active and retired service members.
Casey’s General Store:Free coffee.
Chicken Salad Chick:Free Chick Special and regular drink.
Chili’s Grill & Bar: Free meal from a special menu.
Chopt Creative Salad Co.:30% off military discount.
Cicis Pizza: Free adult buffet for veterans with military ID and a coupon posted at www.cicis.com/veteransday.
Country Pride:Free meal for veterans Wednesday.
Cracker Barrel: Free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake.
D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches:50% off entire order Wednesday for walk-in and carry out orders. Not valid online, on lobster or gift cards.
Denny’s:Free “Build Your Own Grand Slam” from 5 a.m. to noon Wednesday.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit:Free Pulled Pork Classic Sandwich.
Dunkin’:Free doughnut of your choice.
Einstein Bros. Bagels:Free hot or iced medium coffee when veterans state that they are a veteran.
Famous Dave’s: Free Lunch Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich with side.
Farmer Boys: Free Big Cheese for veterans.
Friendly’s:Free All-American meal for lunch or dinner.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Free combo meal cards for veterans and active-duty military who visit a Freddy’s location Wednesday. The cards are good through Nov. 30.
Golden Corral:Through Nov. 30, Golden Corral is handing out free meal and beverage cards to all active duty and veterans. The cards can be used once through May 31 for lunch or dinner Monday through Thursday.
Huddle House: Free MVP Breakfast Platter.
Iron Skillet: Free meal for veterans Wednesday.
Kolache Factory: Free breakfast for veterans, which includes one free kolache of any kind and one cup of any size brewed coffee.
Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut of choice and small hot or iced coffee.
Landry’s, Inc.: The company with more than 60 brands – including Morton’s The Steakhouse, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouses, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and Rainforest Cafe – is offering military veterans and active members 20% off Wednesday for up to four people. Excludes Golden Nugget restaurants and McCormick & Schmick’s locations.Little Caesars: Free lunch combo between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Logan’s Roadhouse: Free meal between 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday from the American Roadhouse menu.
Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores:Purchase one roller grill item and get a second free and a fountain drink or coffee of any size for free.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: First six ounces of frozen yogurt are free for veterans.
Metro Diner:50% off breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Nekter Juice Bar:Free 16-ounce Fresh Juice or Superfood Smoothie.
Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub:Free meal from a special Veterans Day menu with the purchase of another meal and proof of service from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
O’Charley’s:Free meal Monday from special menu Wednesday. Plus, the chain has a 10% military discount daily.
Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin’ Onion and Coke product Wednesday. Also, the chain has a daily heroes discount offering 10% off entire checks to all servicemen and women, police officers, firefighters and first responders with a valid state or federal service ID.
Papa Gino’s: 50% off whole pizzas for walk-in and carry out orders.
Pilot Flying J:Free breakfast combo, which includes coffee, for veterans and military on the Pilot Flying J app through Nov. 15.
Qdoba:50% off any entree Wednesday.
Red Lobster: Free appetizer or dessert.
Red Robin: This deal starts the day after Veterans Day. From Thursday through Nov. 30, veterans and active military who are current Red Robin Royalty members can get a free tavern burger served with bottomless fries.
Scooter’s Coffee: Free drink in any size.
Smashburger:Free Double Burger with any purchase.
Smokey Bones: Free meal from a special menu. Plus, the chain has a 10% military discount daily.
Smoothie King: Free 20-ounce smoothie of choice.
Sonny’s BBQ: Free pork sandwich Wednesday, plus service people that stop by on Veterans Day will also receive a voucher for a free BBQ Egg Roll appetizer, redeemable with a valid military ID from Dec. 1-15.
Starbucks: Free tall hot brewed coffee for veterans, active service members and their spouses Wednesday.
Travelcenters of America:Free meals for veterans at participating Country Pride, Iron Skillet or a TA Petro quick service restaurants.
Taco John’s:Free small beef #1 Combo Meal. Military personnel can redeem the offer in the Taco John’s App by entering the promo code VETERAN under the “More” tab.
TacoTime: Free meal up to $10.
Torchy’s Tacos: Free taco and non-alcoholic beverage from a special Veterans Day menu.
Twin Peaks: Free meal from a special menu at corporate locations Wednesday.
Wendy’s:Free small breakfast combo with valid military ID from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. Hours can vary by location. Service members enrolled in the Veterans Advantage program can get a free breakfast sandwich with any breakfast purchase from Wednesday through Dec. 31.
White Castle:Free combo meal or breakfast combo.
Yard House: Free appetizer Wednesday.
Zaxby’s: Free Boneless Wings Meal with proof of military service Wednesday.
Read more at USAToday.com
