By Rachel Engel, Military1 Associate Editor
Veterans Day is around the corner, and along with the flag-waving, parades and handshakes, the business community often offers discounts and freebies to military veterans and active duty.
If you’re heading out on Veterans Day for lunch, check out our list and see if there’s a business in your town offering a discount as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for your service.
Feel like a bite?
Applebee’s is offering a free meal to service members from a limited menu with proof of service. They will also provide a $5 off coupon that can be used Nov. 12 to Nov. 27.
Billy Sims Barbecue is providing a free pulled pork sandwich, side and collector’s cup to all former and active military personnel.
BJ’s Restaurant is offering a free meal with a limit of $12.95 to all service members with ID.
Black Angus Steakhouse is providing a Top Sirloin steak dinner, with mashed potatoes, broccoli with garlic butter and sweet molasses bread on Veterans Day.
Bob Evans is offering select menu items for free to veterans on Nov. 11, as well as a 10 percent off discount from Nov. 12 through the end of the year.
Boston Market is providing a free cookie or brownie to all current and former military personnel and their families.
Bricktown Brewery is offering a free meal to all veterans and military, up to $14. They will also receive a $10 off coupon for their next visit.
Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a free 10-12 order of its traditional bone-in wings, and a said of fries to current and former military members.
California Pizza Kitchen is offering a limited menu for veterans to choose a free meal from, with proof of service.
Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse is allowing veterans to eat a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chipotle is offering a free bowl, burrito or salad to current and former military members and their family members with proof of service.
Cotton Patch is giving active and prior military the choice between a free chicken fried steak meal or chicken fried sandwich.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is giving away a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake to veterans, and will take donations for the USO from patrons on that day.
Denny’s is offering veterans a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon with proof of service.
Dickey’s Barbecue is providing a free sandwich, side and Big Yellow Cup to veterans, and a free Big Yellow Cup to anyone dining with a veteran and purchasing a meal.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is offering a free lunch or dinner to active and former military with proof of ID.
Golden Corral is offering a free “sit in” dinner to military vets, retirees and current service members from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with proof of service.
Hooters is offering a free meal to current and former military with proof of service.
IHOP is offering an order of its Red, White and Blue pancakes to current and former military.
Krispy Kreme will hand out a free small coffee and donut to patrons who identify themselves as military (no ID required).
Little Caesar’s Pizza is offering a free Hot-N-Ready pizza to veterans and active duty members with proof of service.
Logan’s Roadhouse will offer a free dessert to service members and veterans with ID.
Olive Garden will offer a free meal to veterans from a limited menu, along with unlimited salad and breadsticks.
On the Border is offering a free meal to veterans from their Create Your Own Combo menu.
Red Lobster will offer a free appetizer or dessert to veterans, retirees and active duty from a selected menu with proof of service from Nov. 10-11.
Red Robin is giving away a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Veterans Day.
Rib Crib is offering a free two-meat combo with two sides to veterans and active duty.
Ruby Tuesday is offering a free appetizer to veterans up to a $10 value.
Starbucks is offering a free tall brewed coffee to active duty, retirees, veterans and military spouses.
Texas Roadhouse is offering a free meal to veterans from a select menu.
Village Inn is offering a free Inn-Credible V.I.B. breakfast to current and former military.
Doing some shopping?
Amazon is offering a 20 percent discount on selected apparel on Veterans Day, using the code “20veterans”.
Bed Bath & Beyond will offer 20 percent off to active duty and veterans Nov. 10-13.
Dell is offering a 15 percent discount on select PC’s and electronic devices.
Jockey is offering a 25 percent discount to military members and veterans with the promo code “MILITARY” through Nov. 14.
Sleep Number is offering discounts on selected mattresses for military and veterans with ID.
Tractor Supply Co. is offering a 15 percent discount to military and veterans.
Under Armour is offering a 15 percent discount to military members, veterans and first responders.
Walgreens is offering a 20 percent discount of a purchase with a Walgreens Rewards card and a military ID.
Looking for a hair cut or need work done on your car?
Great Clips will give every patron a card to give to an active, retired, former or reserve member of the military for a free hair cut.
Meineke is offering a free oil change to service members with proof of ID.
Sports Clips is offering a free haircut to military and veterans with proof of service.
Don’t see your favorite restaurant or retailer listed? Call or ask inside if they’re offering a discount for Veterans Day. Many places run discounts year-round for service members, if they’re not doing something special on that day.
About the author
Rachel is a freelance writer, blogger and content creator, specializing in military and military family issues, pregnancy and parenting, and relationships. Her work has been featured on and in The Huffington Post, DFWChild.com, Military Spouse magazine, Parenting magazine, Mom365.com, and many other websites and print publications. She has also contributed to local magazines in the area around the military installation where she lives with her active duty military husband and children.