Applebee’s will feed you. Great Clips will cut your hair. Tommy’s Express will wash your car.
That is the Veterans Day menu for anyone who has served or is serving on Wednesday, Nov. 11, as long as you read the fine print.
Dozens of restaurants, at least two haircut chains and several car wash brands are taking part, but the terms can vary by location. Many restaurant deals are dine-in only and leave out drinks, tax and tip. Some run only during certain hours and require a purchase.
Others hand out vouchers or cards to use later. Franchises decide whether to participate, so a deal at one location may not exist at the next. Hours, menus, and participating locations can all change from town to town.
Nearly everyone will ask for proof of service, such as a military ID, VA card, DD-214, or a driver’s license with a veteran designation. A few skip the ID, but bring it anyway.
Here is where to find free lunch, dinner, haircuts, and car washes on Veterans Day 2026. We also have guides to free breakfast and coffee and to store discounts. Expect restaurants and stores to be busy on the holiday, so go early if you can, call ahead, and know the terms first.
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Free Veterans Day lunch and dinner
Casual-dining chains lead the Veterans Day lineup, and most want you at the table. Expect limited menus, dine-in-only rules, and no drinks, tax, or tip in the deal. Golden Corral and Texas Roadhouse run events with set hours, so check the times before you go. The biggest chains come first.
Applebee’s Veterans Day free meal 2026
Applebee’s is giving veterans and active-duty military a free full-size entree from a seven-item Veterans Day menu, including a 6 oz. top sirloin, classic bacon cheeseburger, and Double Crunch Shrimp.
Dine-in only at participating locations, with proof of service. Drink and tip not included.
Diners also get a $5 Bounce Back Card for a future visit.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar invites military heroes to visit restaurants on Veterans Day. Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Applebee’s Grill + BarImage Source: Rick Kern/Getty Images
Chili’s Veterans Day free meal
Chili’s is offering a free meal from a select menu to veterans and active military. It’s in-restaurant only at participating locations.
Chipotle Veterans Day free chips and guac
Chipotle is giving veterans and active-duty service members a free regular order of chips plus guac, Queso Blanco or salsa with a purchase of at least $5.
In-restaurant only, during business hours. Not valid on mobile, online, or delivery orders.
Proof is required: military ID, VA ID, state ID with a veteran designation, or discharge papers.
Golden Corral Veterans Day free dinner
Golden Corral is serving a free “Thank You” dinner during Military Appreciation Night, from 4 p.m. to close. Dine-in only.
Olive Garden Veterans Day free meal 2026
Olive Garden is offering a free entree from a special menu, dine-in. It comes with unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad.
Outback Steakhouse Veterans Day free Bloomin’ Onion
Outback Steakhouse is giving military members a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola drink, Nov. 10-11. No purchase or ID is needed; tell your server.
Red Lobster Veterans Day free meal
Red Lobster is offering a free Shrimp & Chips meal, dine-in at participating locations. One per guest.
Texas Roadhouse Veterans Day free lunch or voucher
Texas Roadhouse is handing out free meals or vouchers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vouchers are redeemable through May 31, 2027.
Open to active, former and retired military. Bring a military ID, VA card or discharge papers.
Wendy’s Veterans Day free Dave’s Single
Wendy’s is giving veterans and active-duty military a free Dave’s Single on Nov. 11 at participating U.S. restaurants. No purchase is necessary.
Order inside or at the drive-thru and identify yourself as a veteran or active-duty military member.
Limit one per person. Digital, delivery and kiosk orders are excluded.
The offer cannot be used for a combo or combined with other offers or discounts. No substitutions.
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Veterans Day free food and discounts
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with dine-in on Nov. 11, plus a free appetizer with a regular-priced entree Nov. 12 to Dec. 14.
Blaze Pizza: Free one-topping pizza at participating locations on Nov. 11. Not valid for online, delivery or third-party app orders.
Bob Evans: Free meal from the Veterans Day menu. Dine-in only.
Bonefish Grill: Free Bang Bang Shrimp and a nonalcoholic beverage. Also open to first responders and families.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Free 10 boneless wings and fries with proof of service on Nov. 11. Available for dine-in, walk-in counter orders and Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations.
Bubbakoo’s Burritos: Free chicken or beef burrito or bowl, all day in-restaurant at participating locations. Valid military ID required, no purchase necessary.
California Pizza Kitchen: Dine-in guests get a complimentary entree and beverage from a special menu, plus a buy-one-get-one bounce-back card good Nov. 12 to 25.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: Free appetizer or dessert. No purchase necessary.
Chick-fil-A: No chain-wide offer. Individual owner-operators have given veterans a free chicken sandwich or biscuit in past years, so check your local restaurant, app or social page.
Dave & Buster’s: Free unlimited gameplay all day (excludes purple swipe games) and a free dessert with an entree.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Free Pulled Pork Sandwich, open to close, dine-in or carryout. Limit one.
Firehouse Subs: Buy one sub of any size, get one free. In-store only, with military ID.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Free Freddy’s Combo meal card on Nov. 11, redeemable through Nov. 25. No purchase necessary.
Hooters: One free meal from a menu of four select entrees with a beverage purchase at participating restaurants. Dine-in only, with proof of service.
In-N-Out: Free burger, fries and a drink for veterans, active duty, reserves and National Guard.
Little Caesars: Free Lunch Combo (four slices of Detroit-style deep dish and a 20 oz Pepsi), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Logan’s Roadhouse: Free meal from a select menu, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dine-in only at participating restaurants, with proof of service.
LongHorn Steakhouse: 10% off the meal plus a free appetizer or dessert with an adult entree. Dine-in and call-in only.
McDonald’s: No national offer. Participating franchise locations have given veterans free meals in past years, and offers vary by owner. Ask at your local restaurant.
MOD Pizza: 50% off a regular-size pizza or salad at participating locations. In-restaurant only, one per person, with valid military ID.
Newk’s Eatery: Free Pick 2: any two half sandwiches, half salads or cups of soup, with valid military ID at participating locations.
Red Robin: Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with bottomless fries, dine-in only.
Ruby Tuesday: Free Everyday Fresh Meal with entree, Garden Bar and bottomless drink. Dine-in only.
Shake Shack: Free single Shackburger. Order in the Shack at participating locations and show ID.
Smashburger: Free All-American Smashburger. In-restaurant only.
Smoothie King: Free 20 oz smoothie, 12 to 3 p.m., with military ID.
Sonny’s BBQ: Free Pork Big Deal for veterans: a pulled or sliced pork sandwich on a bun or garlic bread, a side and a drink.
Steak ‘n Shake: Free Original Double Steakburger, Beef Tallow Fries and a Patriot Shake on Nov. 11.
TGI Fridays: Free meal from a select menu, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., dine-in with military ID. Choices include a cheeseburger with fries, chicken fingers or a chicken Caesar salad.
Torchy’s Tacos: Free taco and drink in-store at participating locations, with proof of service.
Twin Peaks: Free entree all day at every location, with proof of service.
Whataburger: Free taquito until 11 a.m. local time at participating locations. In-store only, with military ID. One per guest.
White Castle: Free individual combo or breakfast combo for dine-in guests at participating locations on Nov. 11. Military ID required.
Wienerschnitzel: Free Original Chili Dog, small fries and a small soda at participating locations on Nov. 11.
Yard House: Free appetizer at participating locations on Nov. 11.
Veterans Day free haircut options
Great Clips: Veterans and active service members can get a free haircut at a U.S. salon, or a card for a free haircut on a future visit. Customers who get a cut that day receive a card to give to a veteran, redeemable through Dec. 4.
Sport Clips: Participating stores offer free haircuts to veterans and active-duty service members on Nov. 11, part of the company’s Help A Hero campaign for the VFW. Find stores at SportClips.com/Hero.
Supercuts: Free cuts for veterans and active-duty military are offered by some franchise-owned salons on Nov. 11, not systemwide. Check with your local Supercuts before you go.
Free Veterans Day car wash
Casey’s: Free car wash for veterans and military service members on Nov. 11 at locations with a car wash. Casey’s is also offering a free coffee or fountain drink. Bring military ID or proof of service.
Club Car Wash: Free MVP Wash, its top tier, for veterans and active military on Nov. 11. Valid military or veteran ID required. Offer applies at all Club Car Wash locations, which are in the Midwest and South.
Grace for Vets: Thousands of participating car washes nationwide give veterans and active-duty military a free wash on Nov. 11.
Sheetz: Free half turkey sub and fountain drink, plus a $9.99 car wash option at participating stores that have a car wash.
Spotless Brands: Free wash for veterans and active-duty military at participating Flagship Carwash, Cobblestone, Ultimate Shine and Okie Express locations, during regular business hours, weather permitting. The wash varies by brand, and the brands have 235-plus locations in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Mountain West and Southwest. Cobblestone Auto Spa in Arizona adds a free basic oil change.
Tommy’s Express Car Wash: Free washes for all veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11.
ZIPS Car Wash, Jet Brite and Rocket Express: Free top wash at all 180-plus locations in 19 states for veterans and active military on Nov. 11: the Premier at ZIPS, the Jet HD Glaze at Jet Brite and Shoot the Moon at Rocket Express. No military ID required. Pull in and tell a Guest Ambassador you served.
Veterans Day freebies: The fine print to know before you go
Bring proof of service: a military ID, VA card, DD-214 or a driver’s license with a veteran designation.
Many offers are dine-in only and exclude delivery and app orders.
Offers may vary by location, and franchises decide whether to participate, so call ahead.
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