As a daughter of two U.S. military veterans, November 11 has become a day to honor those who have served our country while simultaneously seeing how many restaurant freebies my family can amass between my two parents’ military IDs.
One thing about my family is that we never fall for BOGO or half-off deals during this federal holiday — everything must be completely free. The only money spent on Veterans Day is through tipping at sit-down restaurants.
The true mark of a Veterans Day well-spent is full cupholders — even the ones on the side doors of the car — and a full trunk of meals, which will then result in a full shelf and a half in the fridge and at least a quarter of the freezer being seized by freebies.
If you’re an active-duty U.S. military member or a veteran (or you know someone who is!), these are the best Veterans Day deals that are 100% free with a military ID.
Applebee’s
For all of Veterans Day, Applebee’s is offering a choice of seven free full-size entrées off of a select menu. Some of the entrée choices include the 6-ounce Top Sirloin, the Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, the Chicken Tenders Platter, and the Double Crunch Shrimp.
This offer is dine-in only. Active-duty military members and veterans alike will also receive a $5 Bounce Back card to use at a future Applebee’s visit.
Blaze Pizza
Who doesn’t love pizza? Blaze Pizza, a popular build-your-own-pizza chain, is offering a free 11-inch single-topping pizza, allowing a choice for the sauce, the cheese, and the one topping on the wood-fired pizza.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings is offering 10 boneless wings with any sauce or rub of choice on November 11, along with a side of regular fries. This offer is dine-in only.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A can be tricky because the deals depend on the location. Veterans Day deals are decided by individual franchise owners rather than being a nationwide Chick-fil-A promotion. In the past, my parents have gotten a free chicken sandwich meal at one location — with the fries and the drink included, this was one of the best deals of the day — while getting a choice of a free brownie or cookie at a separate location. Some locations also offer a discount rather than a freebie, so be sure to call ahead and check to see what your local Chick-fil-A is offering before going in expecting a free full meal.
Chili’s
All participating Chili’s restaurants are offering one free dine-in entrée during Veterans Day, providing four menu items to choose from: Chicken Crispers, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, Oldtimer Burger with Cheese, or a soup of choice with a house salad.
Denny’s
Denny’s dine-in Veterans Day offer consists of a full Grand Slam breakfast. It’ll be an early morning for those who want to snag this deal, as the offer only runs from 5 a.m. until noon.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ will offer a free donut to any active duty U.S. military member or veteran. The offer is available in-store only.
In-N-Out
As a native Californian, you know I had to include In-N-Out on this list. In-N-Out is offering a generous Veterans Day deal: any full meal for free. This offer includes any burger — a Double-Double, cheeseburger, or hamburger — plus a side of fries and a medium drink.
Krispy Kreme
While Krispy Kreme’s Veterans Day deal is not yet publicly confirmed, the chain typically offers a doughnut of choice plus a small coffee, hot or iced.
Little Caesars
Hot take: Little Caesars is my favorite pizza chain. Not only are their regular pizzas delicious, but their HOT-N-READY Lunch Combos are also surprisingly delicious and super satisfying. Coincidentally, veterans and active U.S. military members will receive a free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo from Little Caesars from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.
The lunch combo, which is one of my favorite Veterans Day deals, includes four squares of Detroit-style deep dish pepperoni pizza and a 20-ounce bottle of soda.
Olive Garden
Olive Garden is giving out a free entrée from a special menu, along with their signature unlimited breadsticks with soup or salad. This offer is dine-in only.
The entrée options include chicken parmigiana, fettuccine Alfredo, five cheese ziti al forno, cheese ravioli, or spaghetti with meat sauce.
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse is offering their signature Bloomin’ Onion for free this Veterans Day, along with a free drink of choice — and yes, beer is an option.
Veterans or active-duty military members that are also Outback Steakhouse members will receive a coupon for a free Hero’s Meal to redeem at a future visit between November 16 and May 2, 2027. The Hero’s Meal options include a sirloin, salmon, or chicken entrée with two sides, or any burger with one side.
Red Lobster
Participating Red Lobster locations will offer a free Walt’s Favorite Shrimp & Chips meal, an entrée that features six fried shrimp with cocktail sauce, fries, coleslaw, and a non-alcoholic beverage. The dine-in only offer will also provide Red Lobster’s signature Warm Cheddar Bay Biscuits.
Starbucks
Starbucks is offering a free tall-sized brewed coffee for all active and retired military members, hot or iced. Locations in grocery stores and airports are exempt from this deal.
Texas Roadhouse
My local Texas Roadhouse famously has a long line every Veterans Day, and for good reason. The restaurant gives out a free meal voucher from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Veterans Day, which will be valid this year through May 31, 2027.
The voucher can be used immediately or saved for later use; when redeemed, you can get one of 10 full entrée choices, plus two sides and a non-alcoholic beverage. Some of the entrée choices include a half rack of ribs and country-fried chicken. Texas Roadhouse’s famed rolls with cinnamon butter will, of course, be on the table when dining in as well.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s is offering a free Breakfast Combo during breakfast hours on Veterans Day. The Breakfast Combo includes a choice from a Sausage, Egg & Cheese English Muffin, a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, or a Breakfast Baconater as the main breakfast sandwich, along with seasoned potatoes that I dare to say is better than McDonald’s fries, and a coffee or soft drink for a beverage. After breakfast hours, Wendy’s will offer a free Dave’s single burger — the classic Wendy’s burger named after the chain’s founder Dave Thomas, who is a veteran himself.
These are the best Veterans Day deals being offered this year. Pro tip from a seasoned Veterans Day food freebie collector: go to multiple locations of the fast food restaurants. Last year, my family ended up with a dozen coffees, and while sleep was scarce, the savings high was worth it. Happy Veterans Day!