Veterans Day 2025: Free Meals, Shopping Discounts and More

Freebies, deals and savings for active-duty and retired military personnel

Aaron Kassraie,

Updated November 06, 2025

AARP

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En español

Published November 03, 2022

/ Updated November 06, 2025

calendar with november eleventh displayed, surrounded by red white and blue stars and flags

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Many national chains thank veterans and service members with free meals and special discounts on and around Veterans Day, Nov. 11. This year, businesses likes Walgreens, Starbucks and Chick-fil-a are showing their appreciation with special discounts and promotions.

Below, you’ll find a curated list of 2025 Veterans Day offers available to veterans and active-duty military members. All promotions listed have been verified and confirmed for accuracy as of the date of publication. To redeem these savings, most places require valid identification, such as a military ID, state driver’s license with veteran designation or a DD-214. Offers are only valid at participating locations.

Plus, don’t forget that many businesses offer year-round discounts to veterans to show their appreciation.

Restaurants offering Veterans Day freebies and discounts

Applebee’s: Service members and veterans can receive a free meal from designated menu when dining in at participating locations on Veterans Day.
Bob Evans: Veterans and service members can enjoy a free entrée from a select menu Nov. 11 when dining in.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: Military members may take 20 percent off their meal when dining in on Veterans Day. The offer is valid for parties of up to four people.
California Pizza Kitchen: Veterans and active military may receive a complimentary non-alcoholic drink and free entrée from a prix fixe menu on Nov. 11
Chick-fil-a: Veterans can enjoy a free chicken biscuit during breakfast hours or a free chicken sandwich during lunch or dinner time at participating locations.
Chili’s: Veterans and active military can enjoy a free entrée from a list of four options while dining in Nov. 11.
Cracker Barrel: Veterans and active-duty service members may enjoy a complimentary Sunrise Pancake Special at all locations when dining in on Nov. 11.
Denny’s: A free Grand Slam breakfast will be offered to veterans and retired military personnel who dine-in on Veterans Day until noon.
Fazoli's: Veterans and active military members can enjoy a free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce Nov. 11 at participating locations with proof of service when dining in or using the online code VET25.
Golden Corral: All current and former members of the military may enjoy a free meal from 4 p.m. to closing Nov. 11.
The Greene Turtle: Veterans will receive a free meal worth up to $15 at select restaurants.
Hooters: Veterans and service members may receive a free entrée from a Veterans Day menu while dining in with purchase of a beverage at participating locations on Veterans Day.
Hurricane Grill and Wings: A complimentary entrée may be selected from a menu of six items on Nov. 11.
IHOP: Red, white and blueberry pancake combos are free to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Joe’s Crab Shack: Those who have served enjoy 20 percent off their meal when dining in on Veterans Day. The offer is valid for parties up to four.
Little Caesars Pizza: Veterans and active military members can order a free lunch combo between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at participating stores.
Logan’s Roadhouse: A free meal from the Veterans Day menu is available to those with proof of service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when dining in.
Mod Pizza: Veterans, active-duty military and their spouses may receive half off a MOD-size pizza or salad on Veterans Day.
McCormick & Schmick’s: Veterans, active military, National Guard, Gold Star parents and spouses may enjoy half-priced entrées Nov. 9, from a Veterans Day menu.
Red Lobster: Veterans, active duty and reservists may have a free shrimp and chips with French fries and coleslaw on Nov. 11.
Rock and Brews: Veterans, members of the armed forces and first responders may select either a free ‘We Salute You’ Pulled Pork Sandwich or Strawberry Fields Salad when dining in on Nov. 11.
Round Table Pizza: From Nov. 7 through Nov. 14 guests can take 15 percent off their order for dine-in, carry-out and delivery.
Starbucks: Veterans, military members and spouses can order a free tall hot or cold brew coffee on Nov. 11 at participating locations.
White Castle: All veterans and active-duty service members may order a free combo meal or breakfast combo at participating locations on Nov. 11.
Yard House: Veterans and active-duty military can order a free appetizer on Veterans Day when dining in.
Yogurtland: Current and former military members may take 15 percent off in-store purchases on Veterans Day.

Shopping with deals for veterans

American Signature Furniture: Active and retired military members and their immediate family are eligible for 15 percent off select items online and at participating stores from Oct. 16 through Nov. 11. The discount is also valid at Value City Furniture and Designer Looks.
Ashley Furniture: Veterans and active-duty military can take up to 10 percent off purchases of $999 or more, and 5 percent off purchases under $999 from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11.
Casey’s General Store: A free coffee or fountain drink of any size is free to veterans and active military personnel on Veterans Day, as well as unformed first responders, law enforcement, fire and EMS.
HyVee: Many of the grocer’s stores offer a free breakfast buffet Nov. 11 to veterans and active-duty military members from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. They may also receive 15 percent off their purchase while shopping at HyVee in store and online. Use code VETS2025.
MOD Pizza: Veterans, active duty and their spouses may indulge in the all-new Mega Cookie when dining in.
Publix: Veterans and their families can save 10 percent on groceries purchased in-store on Nov. 11.
Sleep Number: All active, veteran, retired and reservist military personnel may take advantage of a 10 percent discount on their entire purchase.
TOPS Market: All veterans and active-duty personnel may receive an 11 percent discount off their total purchase on Nov. 11.
Tractor Supply: Veterans and military personnel can take 11 percent off their purchase on Veterans Day.
Walgreens: From Saturday, Nov. 8, through Tuesday, Nov. 11, veterans, military and their families will receive 20 percent off regular-priced products with myWalgreens membership, including at Duane Reade.

Haircut discounts

Great Clips: On Nov. 11, veterans and active service members can get a free haircut or a coupon for a free cut to use later. Other customers who get a haircut on Veterans Day can also request a free haircut card to give to an active service member or veteran.
Sport Clips: Participating locations will provide free haircuts Nov. 11 to veterans and active-duty service members. Additionally, $2 from every haircut will be donated to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Help a Hero scholarship for veterans.

Museums and attractions

9/11 Museum in New York City: From Nov. 7 to Nov. 11 veterans, active-duty service members, Blue and Gold Star families and their guests can receive free admission. Advance registration is encouraged.
B&B for Vets: Participating inns are offering free or discounted stays on Veterans Day and other times throughout the year to current and former military members.
Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville: Active-duty, retired service members and up to three immediate family members can enjoy free admission on Veterans Day.
Mount Vernon, Virginia: On Veterans Day, all military members and veterans get free entry to George Washington’s former estate on the Potomac River.
National Parks: All national parks offer free admission for everyone on Veterans Day. Many historic sites are also served by the National Park Service. However, due to the government shutdown, many parks are operating with limited services or are partially closed.
North Carolina Zoo: Free admission is available for military personnel, veterans and three additional guests between Nov. 8 and 14.
Pro Football Hall of Fame in Ohio: Veterans, service members, National Guard members, Blue Star mothers and Gold Star families may be admitted for free with one guest.
Red Roof Inn: Military families can take 15 percent off from Oct. 13 to Nov. 13.
San Antonio Zoo in Texas: Throughout November, the zoo will offer free admission to all military members, active or retired. Up to four immediate family members are eligible for 50 percent off admission.
World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta: Veterans, active duty and reserves may purchase up to four general admission tickets for 50 percent off between Nov. 1 and 11. Use promo code VETS2025 at checkout.
World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri: Admission to the museum and memorial is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel between on Nov. 11. General admission for the public is half-off.
Word War II Museum in New Orleans: All veterans receive free admission to the museum on Veterans Day.

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Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency’s Washington bureau and worked in news gathering for USA Today and Al Jazeera English. 

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