Veterans Day freebies and deals 2026

Thank you for your service. Everyone wants to thank veterans and active military members for their courage and sacrifice. And many restaurants and businesses show their appreciation on Veterans Day with a FREE or discounted meal or service on Nov. 11, 2025.

Living On The Cheap only includes deals and giveaways that we’ve independently verified. Price and participation may vary by location and/or market, so check first before making plans.

Please note the following guidelines for Veterans Day offers:

Offers are available at participating locations only, while supplies last.

Deals are only open to veterans and active military members — not family members (unless noted otherwise). The offers do not include gratuity and/or tax (in some cases), so be prepared to pay a little extra — if necessary. 

Proof of military status or service is required for offer redemption— usually a military ID or paperwork is acceptable. In some case, you can show up in uniform. 

Limit one offer per person.

All offers are only valid for dine-in — unless noted otherwise. 

If you know of any Veterans Day deals not listed, please let us know below. 

Be sure to review our article about how to find military discounts year-round. Plus, find more restaurant deals open to all here. 

Applebee’s

On Nov. 11, veterans and active service members enjoy a FREE meal from a select menu at Applebee’s.

Choose from one of the following entrées: 

• Classic Bacon Cheeseburger
• Chicken Tenders Platters
• Double Crunch Shrimp
• Fiesta Lime Chicken
• Oriental Chicken Salad
• Three-Cheese Chicken Penne

Auto Nation

AutoNation offers veterans and active military 15% off all services in-store at AutoNation-branded locations nationwide — all year round. 

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Car Wash

Vets can get revved up for a little car maintenance on Nov. 11. Grace For Vets is coordinating a FREE car wash for veterans and military personnel on Veterans Day. Ask first about participation before getting your car washed. 

Chili’s

Vets and active military members can heat up Veterans Day at Chili’s. Vets enjoy a FREE entrée from a select menu on Nov. 11. 

Denny’s

All active, non-active and retired military personnel can get their Veterans Day started with a hearty breakfast at Denny’s.

The popular diner is serving them a FREE Original Grand Slam breakfast on Nov. 11 — from 5 a.m. to noon. 

Dunkin’

Take a sweet break on Veterans Day at Dunkin’. On Nov. 11, veterans and active military enjoy a FREE donut at the popular donut shop. 

Einstein Bros. Bagels

Take a break on Veterans Day.

Veterans and active-duty service members enjoy a FREE any size coffee and any bagel with shmear at Einstein Bros. Bagels on Nov. 11. Specialty beverages are excluded from the offer.  

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop 

From Nov. 1 to 11, Floyd’s 99 Barbershop is offering $10 off haircuts for active-duty military and veterans. 

Great Clips

Vets can cut their grooming costs on Veterans Day at Great Clips. The popular salon is offering a FREE haircut to veterans and active military on Nov. 11. 

Vets not in need of a haircut on Nov. 11 can pick up a card good for a FREE haircut on a future visit — from Nov. 12 to Dec. 4, 2026.

IKEA

Go shopping on Veterans Day! From Nov. 9 to 11, IKEA is serving veterans and active military members a FREE entrée at its in-store Swedish Restaurant.

Kohl’s

Take the family on a shopping spree for Veterans Day!

Kohl’s is offering active and former military personnel, veterans and their families 30% off their purchase on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Exclusions apply. See in-store for more details. 

McCormick & Schmick’s

Veterans Day is an opportunity for McCormick & Shmick’s to honor those who have served our country with a discounted meal. 

Veterans of the U.S. military, National Guard, Gold Star Parents, Gold Star Spouses and Active Military are invited to enjoy a select entrée at 50% off on Nov. 8. 

National Parks

Veterans Day is the final day of the Free Entrance Days at National Parks for the year.

The FREE admission deal is not limited to just veterans and active military, but is available to all. The National Park Service invites everyone to visit any National Park Service site for FREE on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.  

Paris Baguette

On Nov. 11, Paris Baguette is offering all veterans, active-duty and their families a FREE medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase.

The offer is only available to PB Rewards members.  

QDOBA 

Enjoy a frugal fiesta on Veterans Day!

On Nov. 11, QDOBA is offering veterans and active military FREE Chips & Dip for Veterans Day. 

Raising Cane’s

All year long, Raising Cane’s offers active and non-active military, as well as fire, police and EMTs, 10% off their entire purchase. Even better, the discount also applies to their family members. 

Red Lobster

Get hooked up with a complimentary meal this Veterans Day.

On Nov. 11, veterans, active-duty military and reservists can sail over to Red Lobster for a FREE Walt’s Favorite Shrimp & Chips – featuring six Walt’s Favorite Shrimp (served with cocktail sauce and ketchup), French Fries and coleslaw.

Red Robin

Veterans and active military can take a bite of an American classic at Red Robin. The family-friendly restaurant is offering them a FREE Red’s Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Nov. 11. 

Samsung

Join Samsung’s Military Offers program to unlock extra savings on home appliances, smartphones and more. Sign up with an eligible email address and by completing the ID.me process.

Smashburger

Celebrate Veterans Day with a bargain burger or hot dog! Enjoy a FREE All-American Smash Burger at Smashburger on Nov. 11. 

SONIC Drive-In — OPEN TO ALL

On Nov. 11, SONIC Drive-In is offering a buy-one-get-one FREE special on the following menu items: SONIC Cheeseburger, SuperSonic Double Cheeseburger and Footlong Quarter Pound Coney.

The deal is only available via the SONIC app. 

Sport Clips

Veterans and active-duty service members can get a FREE haircut at Sports Clips on Nov. 11. Find participating locations here. 

Starbucks

On Nov. 11, Starbucks is pouring a complimentary cup of coffee for veterans, military service members and their spouses — a FREE hot or iced brewed coffee (12-oz.)

Cold Brew, Nitro and beverage customizations are excluded. 

Target

In honor of Veterans Day, Target is offering all U.S. active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families 20% off a purchase from Nov. 5 to 11.

Registration is required — click here. 

World Market — OPEN TO ALL

World Market is hosting its popular Golden Santa Scavenger Hunt in-store — from Nov. 1 to 29. Find one and be rewarded with a voucher valued at $20, $50 or $100.

Get more details here. 

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