Veterans Day free meals 2025: the biggest restaurant offers, hours, and how to redeem

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

Veterans Day free meals 2025

Looking for Veterans Day free meals on Tuesday, November 11, 2025? Dozens of national chains are honoring veterans and active-duty service members with complimentary entrees, drinks, and limited-time vouchers. Below is a concise, verified roundup of the most popular offers, plus quick tips to make sure you don’t miss out. Participation and hours vary by location; most deals require proof of service.

Veterans Day free meals: headline offers at major chains

Applebee’s — Free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu for dine-in guests; many locations also include a small bounce-back for a future visit.
Chili’s — Free dine-in meal from a select menu on Nov. 11.
Olive Garden — Free entrée from a Veterans Day menu, served with soup or salad and breadsticks.
Texas Roadhouse — Free meal vouchers handed out on Nov. 11 for redemption on a later date (choice of select entrées with sides and a non-alcoholic drink).
Outback Steakhouse — Free Aussie 3-Course Meal with valid military ID; offered Nov. 10–11, dine-in only.
Red Lobster — Free Shrimp & Chips entrée for veterans and active duty, dine-in only.
Red Robin — Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with a bottomless side at participating restaurants.
Buffalo Wild Wings — 10 free boneless wings and fries for qualifying guests, typically dine-in.
IHOP — Free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo during posted hours (commonly 7 a.m.–7 p.m.), dine-in.
Denny’s — Free Original Grand Slam between early-morning hours and noon (varies by store), dine-in.
Krispy Kreme — Free coffee (hot or iced) and one doughnut of choice; no purchase required at participating shops.
Starbucks — Free tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) for veterans, service members, and military spouses.
Little Caesars — Free Lunch Combo (four slices of Detroit-style Deep Dish + 20-oz drink) from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. local time.
Whataburger — Free taquito for veterans and active duty on Nov. 11 (and continuing Tuesdays through year-end) with proof of service, in-restaurant.
White Castle — Free combo meal or breakfast combo meal for veterans and active duty.
Chipotle — Buy-one-get-one-free entrée between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. with military ID.
Pilot Flying J / One9 — Free breakfast sandwich and coffee or a lunch item and fountain drink; verification through the app may be required.
Sheetz — Free meal plus a complimentary car wash at participating locations with proof of service.

Quick-reference table: times, proof, and dine-in notes

Brand	Offer window (local)	Dine-in?	Proof of service
Applebee’s	Nov. 11 (hours vary)	Yes	Usually required
Chili’s	Nov. 11	Yes	Required
Olive Garden	Nov. 11	Yes	Required
Texas Roadhouse	Voucher distribution Nov. 11	Redeem later	Required
Outback	Nov. 10–11	Yes	Required
Red Lobster	Nov. 11	Yes	Required
Red Robin	Nov. 11	Yes	Required
Buffalo Wild Wings	Nov. 11	Yes	Required
IHOP	Typical 7 a.m.–7 p.m.	Yes	Required
Denny’s	Open–noon (varies)	Yes	Required
Krispy Kreme	Nov. 11	Walk-in	None at select shops
Starbucks	Nov. 11	In-store	None for spouses at many stores
Little Caesars	11 a.m.–2 p.m.	Walk-in	Required
Whataburger	Nov. 11 (and Tuesdays)	In-restaurant	Required
White Castle	Nov. 11	Yes	Required
Chipotle	4 p.m.–8 p.m.	In-store	Required
Pilot/Flying J	Nov. 11	In-app redemption	App verification
Sheetz	Nov. 11	In-store	Required

Terms vary by franchise; check your local store for exact hours and participation.

Who qualifies for Veterans Day free meals

Most offers extend to veterans and active-duty service members; many also include reservists, National Guard, and sometimes military spouses. Acceptable proof usually includes a military ID, veteran ID card, state ID with veteran designation, VA card, or discharge papers. Some grab-and-go coffee or doughnut deals waive documentation altogether—policies differ by brand and location.

Smart planning tips to make the most of the day

Go early or off-peak. Breakfast and lunch deals tend to be busiest 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Aim for early windows or mid-afternoon.
Confirm participation. Call your nearest location; franchisees can opt in or out or adjust hours.
Know dine-in vs. carryout. Many free-meal offers are dine-in only; vouchers (where offered) help if you’re short on time.
Bring acceptable ID. Keep one primary and a backup document to avoid delays at checkout.
Stack responsibly. Some places offer both a free item and a bounce-back for a future visit; you typically can’t combine multiple free entrees in one transaction.
Mind limited menus. Veterans Day menus streamline operations; substitutions may be restricted.

Beyond meals: haircuts, car washes, and retail perks

While food leads the headlines, the day also features complimentary haircuts, discounted admissions, and free basic car washes at select chains and local businesses. If you’re planning multiple stops, group them by neighborhood and check time windows—service offers often end earlier than dinner-hour meal deals.

If you’re searching for Veterans Day free meals, 2025 brings a robust slate of options—from free pancake combos and burgers to steakhouse entrées and coffee. Take a minute to confirm your local store’s hours, bring proof of service, and expect heavier foot traffic around lunch and early dinner. However you choose to celebrate, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a complimentary bite and a thank-you for your service.