Groceries, gas, a ‘Grand Slam’: here are your Veterans Day discounts

Veterans Day means much more to service members, veterans and their families than a freebie at their local eatery or store. But in these times of increasing prices, a few dollars saved can mean a lot for everybody. With this year’s discounts, Veterans Day can start with a free breakfast, a visit to a local attraction for some free fun, and then on to a free burger or hot dog for lunch and some shopping at a local store or online. You can top it off with a free dinner at a local restaurant. A number of businesses want to show their appreciation for those who serve or have served, so check out some verified deals below. This will get you started, and we’ll update the list. Food and drinks Applebee’s: Offering active-duty service members and veterans a free full-size entree from a select menu, Nov. 11, at participating locations. Dine-in only. Show proof of service. Aroma Joe’s: Offering active duty and veterans a free beverage, any size up to 24 ounces, on Nov. 11, at its 139 locations across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, New York and Connecticut. Show proof of service. Aspen Creek Grill: Offering a $15 voucher to active duty and veterans from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 11, which can be redeemed any time from Nov. 11 through Dec. 24. Dine-in only, and excludes alcoholic beverages. Bob Evans: Offering active duty and veterans a free meal from a select menu of 11 options on Nov. 11. Dine-in only. Show proof of service. Chili’s: Offering active duty and veterans a free meal from a select menu on Nov. 11 at participating locations. Dine-in only. Chipotle: Offering active duty and veterans their choice of free chips and dip with a $5 in-restaurant purchase, all day Nov. 11. Show proof of service. Cracker Barrel: Offering active duty and veterans a free Sunrise Pancake Special on Nov. 11, at participating locations. Discounts offered in their Old Country Store, with 25% off retail military collection through Nov. 12. Show proof of service. Denny’s: Offering active duty and veterans a free Original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon local time, Nov. 11 at participating locations. Show military ID or DD-214. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Offering active duty and veterans a free Pulled Pork Sandwich on Nov. 11 at all locations. Dine-in or carry out. Show proof of service. Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers: Offering active duty and veterans a free Freddy’s Combo meal card on Nv. 11, by visiting their local Freddy’s, which can be redeemed through Nov. 25. No purchase is necessary. Golden Corral: Offering active duty and veterans a free dinner buffet meal and drink from 4 p.m. to closing on Nov. 11 as part of its annual Military Appreciation Night. Dine-in only. Hooters: Offering active duty and veterans one free meal from a menu of four select entrees on Nov. 11, with purchase of a beverage, at participating restaurants. Dine-in only. Show proof of service. IHOP: Offering active duty and veterans a free Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo on Nov. 11, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dine-in only at participating restaurants. Show proof of service. Logan’s Roadhouse: Offering active duty and veterans a free meal from a select menu on Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dine-in only at participating restaurants. Show proof of service. Outback Steakhouse: Offering active duty and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola beverage or domestic draft beer, on Nov. 10-11. No purchase or military ID is required; guests simply identify themselves as military service members or veterans to their Outback team member. Military guests who dine in and order the Bloom & Bevvy on November 10 or 11 (and are current Dine Rewards members or enroll during their visit) will receive a complimentary Hero’s Meal reward, redeemable November 16, 2026, to May 2, 2027. Dine-in only. Show proof of service. Perry’s Steakhouse: Active duty and veterans receive a free Dinner-Cut Pork Chop OR enjoy a 3-course $39 Military Menu on Nov. 11, from 4 p.m. to closing, if dining with a guest purchasing a full dinner entree. Military ID or proof of service required. Note: reservations required. Playa Bowls: Offering active duty and veterans a 50% discount on bowls at all shops nationwide, on Nov. 11. Show proof of service. Red Robin: Offering active duty and veterans a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on Nov. 11, at participating locations. Dine-in only. Show proof of service. Ruby Tuesday: Offering active duty, Reserve and veterans a free Everyday Fresh Meal on Nov. 11, for dine-in at participating locations. That’s a choice of entree, The Garden Bar and a bottomless drink, worth up to $17.99. Show proof of service. Shake Shack: Offering active duty and veterans a free single Shackburger on Nov. 11 ordered in store at participating locations. Show proof of service. Sheetz: Offering active duty and veterans a free meal and car wash at participating locations on Nov. 11. The meal includes a free half turkey sub and a regular size fountain drink. The $9.99 car wash option is available at stores equipped with a car wash. Show proof of service. Sizzler: Offering active duty and veterans a free lunch from a select menu on Nov. 11 from opening until 4 p.m. Starbucks: Offering veterans, active duty and their spouses a free tall hot or iced brewed coffee on Nov. 11 at cafe and drive-through locations. STK Steakhouse: Offering active duty, Reserve, Gold Star Families and first responders a free entree from a select menu, with the purchase of any starter, Nov. 9-11, at participating U.S. locations. Show proof of service. Wendy’s: Offering active duty and veterans a free Dave’s Single at participating locations on Nov. 11. Dine in or at drive-thru. Notify the crew member at the register. Wienerschnitzel: Offering active duty and veterans a free Original Chili Dog, small fries and a small soda at participating locations nationwide on Nov. 11. Show proof of service. Attractions American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Virginia.: Offering free museum admission to active duty, Reserve and veterans and up to three direct family members with identification on Nov. 11. Veterans Day activities included. Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Offering free admission for active duty and veterans, plus one adult guest and up to four children on Nov. 11, plus a 10% discount at the H-D Shop and MOTOR Restaurant. Show proof of service. Legoland Florida: Offering free admission to military and first responders, valid for visits through Nov. 30. Offering a 50% discount on tickets for up to six guests accompanying the service member. Visit site for information on buying tickets. San Antonio Zoo: Offering free admission to active duty, Guard and Reserve, and other veterans throughout November, plus up to four immediate family members can receive a 50% discount on tickets on the date of visit. Purchase tickets online at their website, then show proof of service at the zoo’s entrance. Retail Army and Air Force Exchange Service: In-store and online at shopmyexchange.com, authorized customers can get a variety of deals through Nov. 12, such as 50% off Bose QC headphones; up to $300 off select Samsung smart TVs; $300 off Apple MacBook Pro laptops; 20% off men’s Carhartt, Dickies and 5.11 Tactical; 10% off Coach and Michael Kors purses and sunglasses from Ray-Ban, Oakley and Costa. Those using the MILITARY STAR credit card can get 10 cents off per gallon at AAFES fuel locations; and 15% off food purchases at participating AAFES restaurants. Publix: Offering active duty and veterans a 10% discount on groceries on Nov. 11. Valid for in-store purchases. Samsung: Through its Military Offers Program, active duty and veterans and their families can receive discounts on phones, tablets, smartwatches and other items at samsung.com year-round. Target: Offering active duty and veterans a 20% discount on one qualifying storewide purchase through Nov. 11. The discount requires membership in Target Circle. Tractor Supply Company: Offering service members and veterans a 10% discount in stores and online on Nov. 11, with Hometown Heroes verified membership. Walgreens: Offering active duty and veterans and their families a 20% discount on regularly priced eligible items through Nov. 11, with myWalgreens and proof of service. Available in-store at any Walgreens or Duane Reade drugstore. Exclusions apply. Wild Roman: Offering active duty and veterans 25% off their men’s skin care sitewide at wildroman.com through Nov. 11. Verify military status through GOVX ID in the cart to get a code. Services AutoNation: Offering active duty and veterans a 15% discount on qualifying services, parts and accessories in-store at AutoNation locations nationwide on Nov. 11 and year-round (maximum discount $150). Through November, those eligible can also receive a 15% discount through AutoNation Mobile Service, with promo code VETS15 (maximum discount $150). Show proof of service. Grace For Vets: This nonprofit organization works with car washes across the country to offer active duty and veterans a free car wash on Nov. 11. To find a participating car wash, visit graceforvets.com. Great Clips: Offering active duty and veterans a free haircut on Nov. 11, or a free haircut card to use later, to be redeemed by Dec. 4. Know before you go Check the fine print and call the participating organization to be sure the offer is available at the time you plan to arrive. Most eateries require you to dine in to receive the deal. Let the host, cashier, attendant, reservation agent or other relevant employee know up front that you want the discount or deal. “Free” isn’t always completely free. A free meal doesn’t always come with a drink, for instance. Be prepared to pay for extras such as taxes and tips. Call ahead to local establishments to be sure they are aware of, and are participating in, national chain programs. Confirm availability and what type of ID is required. Not all offers apply to veterans of all stripes. Most offers will apply to Guard and Reserve members, but check ahead. Be sure you are eligible and you have the appropriate ID/paperwork. Most discounts don’t apply to the entire party. Be sure you’re clear whether family members or guests are covered in the discount. Remember your establishments that offer discounted food, services and items year-round, such as your military commissaries and military exchanges, which also offer specials during these and other holidays. Retail establishments such as Lowe’s and Home Depot offer 10% discounts through their special programs. This is by no means an all-inclusive list. Check with your favorite eatery or store to see if they offer a military discount. It doesn’t hurt to ask a company whether they offer a military discount before you book a reservation or order from your server.