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Veterans Day 2026: Free Meals, Shopping Discounts and More

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

Aaron Kassraie

Updated November 06, 2025

En español

Updated November 06, 2025

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

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Key takeaways

Veterans and active-duty military members can find free meals, shopping discounts, haircuts and attraction offers on and around Veterans Day.
Most offers require proof of military service, and eligibility, dates and participation vary by business and location.
Contact the participating location before visiting to confirm the offer and any purchase, dining or membership requirements.

Many national chains thank veterans and service members with with free meals and special discounts on and around Veterans Day, Nov. 11. This year, businesses like Little Caesars, Chipotle and Outback Steakhouse are showing their appreciation with special discounts and promotions.

Below, you’ll find a full list of 2026 Veterans Day offers available to veterans and active-duty military members. Offers are grouped by restaurants, shopping, haircuts and museums, attractions and travel. All promotions listed were confirmed for 2026 by the business or its public relations representative. Because offers and participation can vary, contact your location before visiting. 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.

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

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Veterans Day free meals and restaurant discounts

Applebee’s: Service members and veterans can receive a free meal from a special 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.
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
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop: Veterans and active-duty military members can receive a free small sub Nov. 11 with valid ID.
Chick-fil-A: Veterans Day offers are at the discretion of local owner-operators and vary by location. Check with your local restaurant through the Chick-fil-A app or restaurant locator.
Chili’s: Veterans and active military can enjoy a free entrée only for select items while dining in Nov. 11.
Chipotle: Active-duty service members and veterans can receive free chips with guac, Queso Blanco or salsa with a $5 in-restaurant purchase Nov. 11 at participating locations.
Einstein Bros. Bagels: Veterans and active-duty military members can receive a free hot or iced coffee in any size and a free bagel with shmear Nov. 11 at participating locations. Guests must mention the offer when ordering in.
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 VET26.
Firehouse Subs: Veterans and active-duty members who buy a sub in any size can receive a second one free in-store on Veterans Day.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Veterans and active-duty personnel who visit a participating location Nov. 11 can receive a free combo meal card. No purchase is required. The card may be redeemed through Nov. 25.
Golden Corral: All current and former members of the military may enjoy a free meal from 4 p.m. to closing Nov. 11.
Hard Rock Café: Active and retired military members can receive a free Classic Smashed Burger on Nov. 11. The offer may be combined with the restaurant’s year-round 15 percent military discount.
HTeaO: Veterans may take $2 off a large iced tea on Veterans Day at participating locations.
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.–7 p.m. when dining in.
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.
Juice It Up: Veterans and active service members can receive a free medium Classic Smoothie Nov. 11 when ordering in-store.
Krispy Kreme: Veterans and active military personnel can receive a free small hot or iced coffee and a free doughnut of their choice Nov. 11. The offer is limited one per guest and is available in shops or at drive-throughs.
Little Caesars Pizza: Veterans and active military members can order a free lunch combo between 11 a.m.–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.–3 p.m. when dining in.
MOD Pizza: Veterans and active-duty military may receive half off a MOD-size pizza or salad on Veterans Day.
Outback Steakhouse: Active and retired military members and veterans can receive a free Bloomin' Onion and a Coca-Cola product or domestic draft beer Nov. 10–11 at participating locations. Only dine-in or to-go orders placed by phone are eligible. Dine Rewards members also earn a free Hero's Meal to use from Nov. 16–May 2, 2027.
Paris Baguette: Customers can receive a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase on Veterans Day. No ID required.
Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty military members can receive a free Red's Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries Nov. 11 when dining in at participating restaurants.
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.
Rock and Brews: Veterans, members of the armed forces and first responders may select either a free Pulled Pork Sandwich or Strawberry Fields Salad when dining in on Nov. 11 at participating locations.
Shake Shack: Veterans and active military personnel can receive a free single ShackBurger nationwide on Nov. 11 when dining in.
Smoothie King: Veterans and active-duty personnel can receive a free 20-ounce Strawberry X-Treme, Blueberry Heaven or Vanilla Slim-N-Trim smoothie from noon–3 p.m. Nov. 11.
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.

Veterans Day shopping and grocery discounts

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 6–10 a.m. They may also receive 15 percent off their purchase while shopping at HyVee in store and online. Use code VETS2026.
ModWash: All new customers may receive the first month of membership for the price of a single wash, through Nov. 11. Additionally, veterans may take 10 percent off renewals throughout the year.
Publix: Veterans and active duty military personnel 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 5 percent off eligible beds and bases and 10 percent off bedding from Nov. 3–Nov. 16
TOPS Friendly Market: Veterans, active-duty military personnel, reservists, retired military personnel and immediate family members living in the same household can receive 11 percent off eligible purchases Nov. 11 with proof of service.
Tractor Supply: Veterans, military personnel and their families can take 10 percent off their purchase on Veterans Day.

Free haircuts for veterans

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.

Veterans Day museum, attraction and travel deals

9/11 Museum in New York City: From Nov. 11–Nov. 15 veterans, active-duty service members, Blue and Gold Star families and their guests can receive free admission through a dedicated ticket portal.
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.
Dave & Buster’s: Veterans and active-duty military members may receive unlimited gameplay Nov. 11, excluding purple swipe games. Eligible guests may also receive a free dessert with purchase of an entrée.
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 U.S. citizens and residents on Veterans Day. Many historic sites are also served by the National Park Service.
North Carolina Zoo: Free admission is available for military personnel, veterans, their spouses and three additional guests between Nov. 7–13.
Pro Football Hall of Fame in Ohio: Veterans, service members, National Guard members, Blue Star mothers and Gold Star families can receive free admission.
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 War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri: Admission to the museum and memorial is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel between Nov. 6 –9, as well on Nov. 11. General admission for the public is half-off during Veterans Day weekend.
Word War II Museum in New Orleans: Veterans of all conflicts receive free admission to the museum on Veterans Day.

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