Where veterans and military eat free this Veterans Day
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Businesses across the nation are saluting veterans and active-duty military personnel this Veterans Day with free meals, drinks and discounts Monday.
The big picture: The federal holiday honors those who have served in the military — past and present. By showing a military ID, veterans can eat or drink for free at more than a dozen chains around the country.
Veterans Day what's open and closed
State of play: Most businesses are open Monday but the United States Postal Service is closed and won't deliver mail.
- Banks and federal government offices are closed but the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq stock markets are open on the holiday.
- Many schools across the country also are closed.
Veterans Day 2024 free food and deals
Zoom in: The following deals are valid only on the federal holiday at participating locations nationwide, unless otherwise noted.
- Proof of service such as a military ID is required for most deals. Exclusions apply.
- Some McDonald's and Chick-fil-A locations will have specials but the chains do not have nationwide offers.
- Smaller chains also have offers and one way to check is by looking at social media posts.
Applebee's Veterans Day free meal 2024
Veterans and active-duty military personnel eat free at Applebee's from a select menu when dining in Monday.
- Veterans and military also get a $5 bounce back card to use on a future visit.
Buffalo Wild Wings Veterans Day free wings and fries
Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants are offering 10 free boneless wings and fries to all "past and present armed services members" with a valid ID Monday.
- Available for dine-in and at Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations for "walk-in/orders placed at the counter."
Chili's Veterans Day free meal deal 2024
Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants are serving up free meals Monday for veterans and active military members.
Denny's Veterans Day free Grand Slam
Denny's will have free Grand Slams for all military personnel from 5am to noon Monday with valid military ID or DD 214.
Dunkin' free Veterans Day doughnut
Participating Dunkin' locations are giving veterans and active military a free donut of their choice Monday while supplies last.
- No purchase or ID is required for the in-store only freebie.
Golden Corral free meal for military and vets
Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Night is from 4pm until close Monday with a free thank you buffet and beverage for all current and former U.S. military members.
- The chain said all restaurants are participating and that no purchase or military ID is required to receive the free meal.
Hooters Veterans Day free meal
Hooters is offering all retired and active-duty military a free meal from a select menu when they purchase a beverage.
IHOP Veterans Day 2024 free pancakes
IHOP is giving away free Red, White and Blueberry Pancake combos to veterans and active military from 7am to 7pm Monday when dining in.
Krispy Kreme Veterans Day free coffee and doughnut
Krispy Kreme is giving veterans and service members a free small coffee, hot or iced, and a free doughnut of choice on Monday.
- No purchase or proof is required for this deal.
Olive Garden Veterans Day free meal deal 2024
Olive Garden is offering a free meal from a special menu Monday that includes an entrée and comes with unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad.
Outback Veterans Day free Bloomin' Onion
Outback Steakhouse is giving active and retired military personnel and their spouses a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage with purchase of an adult entrée Monday.
Red Lobster Veterans Day 2024 free meal
Red Lobster is offering free Shrimp & Chips to veterans, active-duty military and reservists Monday.
- The chain also has a daily 10% discount for veterans and active duty.
Starbucks Veterans Day 2024 free coffee
Starbucks is offering a free hot or iced 12-ounce brewed coffee for veterans, military service members and military spouses at participating U.S. stores Monday.
Wendy's Veterans Day free breakfast combo deal
Wendy's is offering a free breakfast combo to "those who served or are currently serving in the U.S. military."
- The free combo is available during breakfast hours Monday at participating locations. Military ID is not required, the chain told Axios.
Veterans Day free coffee
Starbucks and Krispy Kreme aren't the only chains serving up free coffee Monday.
- Biggby Coffee: Free 16-ounce beverage of choice with ID for veterans and military.
- Caribou Coffee: Free small Cold Press or coffee of the day for veterans, military service members and their spouses Monday. Ask for the offer at the register or drive-thru, the company told Axios.
- Casey's: Free cup of coffee or fountain drink to all veterans. The chain says it is extending the same offer year-round to active-duty military personnel and on-duty, uniformed first responders."
- Duck Donuts: Veterans and service members can get a free medium hot coffee or cold brew Monday with valid military ID or Veteran ID Card.
- Kum & Go: Free coffee for veterans and active military Monday.
- Maverik — Adventure's First Stop: Free coffee for veterans and active-duty military Monday.
- PJ's Coffee: Free 12-ounce hot or cold brew coffee Monday for veterans and active-duty military.
- Whataburger: Starting Monday and continuing year round, veterans and active service members get a free 16-ounce hot or iced coffee daily with uniform or valid ID.
More free Veterans Day meals and treats for military
Most discounts are only available on Veterans Day.
- Bob Evans: Free meal from a special menu with 10 breakfast items available all day for veterans and active-duty military with proof of service.
- Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen: Veterans and active military members will get a free appetizer or dessert Monday.
- Chicken Salad Chick: Veterans and active-duty military get a free Chick Meal and a fountain drink Monday at all locations.
- Famous Dave's: Free lunch for veterans Monday at all locations with valid ID.
- Huddle House: Those who are serving or have served in the military get a free MVP Breakfast Platter Monday.
- Hy-Vee: Free buffet-style breakfast from 6 to 10am at stores. Veterans and active-duty military also get 15% off their grocery purchase Monday.
- Krystal: Free breakfast sandwich from opening until 11am Monday with proof of service.
- Little Caesars: Free lunch combo from 11am to 2pm Monday for veterans and active military members.
- LongHorn Steakhouse: Veterans and active-duty military get 10% off their meal and a free appetizer or dessert for their table Monday.
- Pilot Flying J: Any ID.me verified active, retired, or veteran service members and their families can enjoy a free meal up to $12 through Pilot's myRewards Plus app at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Fuel Network travel centers.
- Playa Bowls: Veterans and servicemembers with valid military ID get a free bowl Monday at participating locations.
- Qdoba: Veterans and active-duty military get 50% off any full-size entrée Monday at participating locations. Dine-in only with valid military ID.
- Raising Cane's: 10% off Monday for active or nonactive military, fire, police, EMTs, and their spouses when they mention the chain's Hero Discount Program.
- Sheetz: Veterans and active-duty military get a free half turkey sub and regular size fountain drink Monday. They also can get a free car wash at Sheetz locations with car washes.
- Smashburger: Free All-American Single or Double Burger Monday. In-store only. One burger per person with valid military ID, but the company told Axios "verbal confirmation accepted."
- Smoothie King: Free select 20-ounce smoothie for active and retired military from noon to 3pm local time Monday with valid military ID at participating locations.
- Tim Hortons: Free classic doughnut for veterans and active military who place orders at participating locations.
- White Castle: Free combo meal or breakfast combo meal for veterans and active-duty service members when dining in Monday.
Veterans Day store discounts: Target, Kohl's, more
Retailers, including Kohl's, Publix, Target, have special discounts for veterans for the holiday.
- Great Clips is giving out free cards for haircuts to veterans and active military Monday as part of its Thank a Veteran program. Non-military customers who also visit Monday will also get a "free haircut card to give to a service member or veteran," the company said.
- Find more store discounts, travel offers and wireless phone plan savings from SheerID and ID.me, which verify military service.
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