By Contributing Editor Blair Drake
This story will be updated in advance of Nov. 11 with more Veterans Day offerings. *-Item added Nov. 8.
Restaurants, businesses, and attractions are extending their thanks to veterans and active duty military personnel by offering freebies and discounts on Veterans Day and throughout the weekend.
Food and Dining
*Applebee’s Grill and Bar: All veterans and active duty military members receive a free entrée from a special menu Nov. 11.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: All servicemembers can enjoy a complimentary entrée from a select menu, plus a free Dr Pepper beverage. The offer is valid Nov. 11 for dine-in guests.
Bob Evans Restaurants: Veterans and active duty military personnel with a free meal on Veterans Day. Guests who dine in at their local Bob Evans Restaurant on Nov. 11 can choose from one of 10 farm-fresh breakfast items from a special menu available all day. Proof of service is required.
*Bombshells Restaurant & Bar (Texas): Veterans get a free entrée Nov. 11, and other items will be discounted 20%. In addition, families accompanying veterans will receive a 20% discount on entrees and other items. Alcoholic beverages are excluded.
California Pizza Kitchen: All veterans and active duty servicemembers receive a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and a choice of one entrée from a prix-fixe menu on Veterans Day.
Chili’s: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive a free meal from a select menu Nov. 11 at participating Chili’s Grill and Bar restaurants.
*Cicis Pizza: All veterans and active duty military personnel get a free buffet Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only, and it does not include taxes or drink.
Country Kitchen: All veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free Country Scramble on Nov. 11.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: On Veterans Day, any U.S. veteran or active duty servicemember can receive a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake, in-store and online, with any purchase. To redeem the offer online, guests must add a slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake to their online order cart and enter code “VETSDAY22” at time of checkout. Additionally, from Nov. 1-14, Cracker Barrel is offering 25% off military apparel and drinkware, in-stores and online.
Golden Corral: Active duty servicemembers and veterans get a free dine-in meal Monday, Nov. 14, from 5 p.m. to close.
GoodBar (San Diego): GoodBar guests can show their gratitude for active duty and retired servicemembers by purchasing a beer, wine, or cocktail that servicemembers can redeem during their visit Nov. 11. GoodBar will keep an ongoing record and tally of the available Patriotic Pours, which will be paid forward to guests 21 and over with a valid military ID. As part of its support of the military, GoodBar will also extend a 25% discount to all veterans and active duty military personnel.
*Hamburger Stand: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free hamburger, regular fries, and small Pepsi when they present their military identification or wear their military uniform to any participating location Nov. 11.
*Hard Rock Café: Selected North American cafes will be offering a complimentary Legendary® Burger to all active duty and retired military members Nov. 11. This offer is also redeemable with Hard Rock Cafe’s 15% military discount.
*IHOP: All veterans and active duty servicemembers get free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancakes on Nov. 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
*Max & Erma’s: Veterans and servicemembers get a free Best Cheeseburger in America with endless seasoned fries, a fountain drink, and a chocolate chip cookie Nov. 11.
*McCormick & Schmick’s: Veterans and Gold Star Spouses and Gold Star Parents can receive a half-priced entrée from a special menu Nov. 13 at participating restaurants. The offer is for dine-in only.
*Menchie’s: On Nov. 11, all veterans and active duty military will receive their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free.
*Mission BBQ: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free sandwich Nov. 11.
New York Prime: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off any entrée Nov. 11 at locations in Atlanta; Boca Raton, Fla.; and Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Fuel Network Travel Centers: From Nov. 11-13, servicemembers and their families verified through ID.me in the myRewards Plus app will receive a free meal credit, valued up to $12. The offer can be redeemed through the myRewards Plus app at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Fuel Network travel centers on a wide variety of food and beverage options, including hot and cold deli items, name-brand snacks, fountain drinks, Pilot coffee, and meals at participating on-site restaurants. This year, the $12 Veterans Day meal credit will be a rolling balance, allowing guests to use any remaining balance the next time they stop over Veterans Day weekend during the offer period.
Red Lobster: Veterans, active duty servicemembers, and reservists get a free Walt's Favorite Shrimp, fries, and coleslaw during dine-in and to-go orders placed in-restaurant between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time Nov. 11. Valid military ID or proof of service is required.
*Red Robin: All veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free Red's Tavern Double burger with free refills of Bottomless Steak Fries® when they dine in Nov. 11.
*SEA180° Coastal Tavern (Imperial Beach, Calif.): Veterans and active military personnel get a complimentary appetizer Nov. 11.
*Shoney’s: Veterans and servicemembers can enjoy a free all-you-care-to-eat, freshly prepared breakfast bar Nov. 11, from open to 11 a.m. local time.
Starbucks: Veterans, active duty servicemembers, and military spouses can get a free hot or iced coffee on Veterans Day. The offer is limited to one per customer and must be ordered in store or by drive-though, not through the Starbucks app.
*Wendy’s: Veterans and servicemembers get a free breakfast combo offer with valid military ID or a Veterans Advantage card Nov. 11.
*Wienerschnitzel: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free chili dog, small fries, and a small Pepsi when they present their military identification or wear their uniform to any participating location Nov. 11.
White Castle: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free Combo Meal #1-#6 at participating White Castle restaurants. The special offer is valid Nov. 11 for dine-in only. Proof of service is required.
Yard House: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive a complimentary appetizer Nov. 11.
Shopping, Products, and Services
Academy Sports: Servicemembers and first responders get 10% off in store and online Oct. 23-Nov. 13.
*Army & Air Force Exchange Service: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is saluting those who serve with deals, discounts, and giveaways in honor of Veterans Day. Find specifics here.
Baribault Jewelers: Active duty and retired members of the armed forces, as well as first responders, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians, get 15% off engagement and wedding bands throughout the month of November. Baribault’s primary diamond provider, Tacori, is also offering 15% off of its settings.
Bed Bath & Beyond: Veterans and servicemembers and their spouses get 25% off their entire in-store purchase Nov. 11.
Crunch Fitness: In partnership with the digital identity network ID.me, Crunch Fitness will offer a seven-day free trial gym membership and an exclusive offer to active military, veterans, and first responders that launches Nov. 7 in honor of Veterans Day — and will continue into perpetuity. The additional discounted offer includes $0 enrollment and $3 off standard recurring dues on Peak Results. In addition to the partnership, Crunch Fitness is holding an open house week from Nov. 7-13 for active military, veterans, and their families to work out for free all week long.
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*DEVIL-DOG Dungarees: The company is increasing its year-round 20% military discount for active duty, retirees, veterans, military spouses, and military family members to 50% off its products sitewide from Nov. 3-13 via the ID.me platform.
*Duane Reade: Veterans and servicemembers and their families will receive 20% off regular price eligible store items Nov. 11-14.
Great Clips: Veterans and active duty servicemembers can visit a salon Nov. 11 and receive either a free haircut that day or a free haircut card to use at a future visit. In addition, non-military customers who get a haircut on Veterans Day will receive a free haircut card to give to an active service member or veteran they know as a way of saying thank you. The cards can be redeemed for a free haircut from Nov. 12 through Dec. 9.
Publix: Veterans and active military personnel can save 10% on groceries Nov. 11.
Rack Room Shoes: Servicemembers and their families get 20% off their entire in-store purchase with valid ID.
Sports Clips: Many participating Sport Clips locations are offering free Veterans Day haircuts for those with military ID.
Target: Active duty servicemembers and veterans as well as their spouses and children get a 10% across-the-board discount, which guests can use twice during the promotional period of Oct. 30 through Nov. 12. To redeem the offer, guests must verify eligibility by registering at www.target.com/circle/military.
UFC GYM®: Active and retired military personnel will receive complimentary memberships at select UFC GYM® and UFC FIT® locations across the country through the end of this year. To redeem the offer, participants must register between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30. Additionally, the fitness franchise offers a 25% discount on territory fees to qualified military veterans interested in owning their own gym in the U.S. For more information, please visit www.ufcgymfranchise.com.
*Walgreens: Veterans and servicemembers and their families will receive 20% off regular price eligible store items Nov. 11-14.
Attractions and Lodging
9/11 Memorial & Museum (New York City): From Nov. 9-13, veterans and active servicemembers and Blue and Goldstar Families will receive free museum admission.
Akron Zoo (Ohio): All veterans and servicemembers receive free admission with valid military ID, and immediate family members receive 50% off admission Nov. 9-13. To receive Veterans Appreciation Days discount, come to the ticket counter to purchase tickets.
Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, Calif.): Veterans and active duty military personnel who show valid service ID will receive free admission Nov. 11. Advance reservation is required.
B&Bs for Vets: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive one free room night Nov. 10-11 at participating inns.
Colonial Williamsburg: All active duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and military retirees and their dependents receive free admission Nov. 11-13.
Des Moines Botanical Center (Des Moines, Iowa): Veterans receive free admission Nov. 11.
Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, Va.): All active duty, former, or retired military personnel receive free admission Nov. 11.
National World War I Museum and Memorial (Kansas City, Mo.): Veterans and active duty military personnel receive free admission Nov. 11-13. The general public receives half-price admission.
*Six Flags: Many Six Flags parks are offer veterans and active military members free, admission, a drink bottle, and commemorative gifts Nov. 11-13. Friends and family members (up to four) of veterans also receive discounted admission tickets.
World of Coca-Cola (Atlanta): Military members (active duty, reserves, and retirees) can enjoy a visit to World of Coca-Cola free of charge year-round, but from Friday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 13, military members can purchase up to four general admission tickets at half-price. The discounted tickets can be purchased online here using the promo code VETS2022 to receive the discount. Members will be asked to present their valid armed forces ID when they arrive at the attraction.
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