Several businesses will be showing their appreciation for those who have served our country by giving them free meals, services and more on or around Veterans Day. Here's a roundup of the special offers available to veterans and military personnel. Note that some of these offers are available on days other than the Veterans Day holiday on November 11. If you don't see your favorite establishment listed, call it directly to see if it will be honoring veterans and service members with any freebies. And check back because we'll be adding more deals as we learn about them.
Free food
Applebee's is offering veterans and active-duty military members a free entrée on November 11 (dine-in only). Proof of service required.
Bar Louie, with locations in 24 states, will honor veterans and active-duty military members with a free meal up to a $12 value on November 10 and November 11 when they show valid military ID or other proof of service.
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Bob Evans will let veterans and active-duty military enjoy free all-you-can-eat pancakes on November 11.
California Pizza Kitchen is offering a free entrée from a special menu (dine-in only) November 11 to veterans and active military members who come in uniform or bring proof of service.
Cheeseburger in Paradise Bar & Grill, with locations in seven states, will give veterans and military personnel with proof of ID a free burger and fries on November 11.
Denny's is offering active, non-active and retired military personnel a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast meal from 5 a.m. to noon on November 11.
Golden Corral will hold its annual free military appreciation dinner November 17 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to anyone who has ever served in the military (no ID required). The dinner is open to friends and family of military members, but they will have to pay the regular dinner menu pricing.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt will be giving away free single-scoop ice cream cones to veterans and military personnel with valid ID on November 11 at participating shops. No purchase is required. Handel's has 40 locations in seven states.
Krispy Kreme will give a free doughnut and coffee to veterans and active military (no ID required) on November 11.
LongHorn Steakhouse will offer veterans and active military members a free Texas Tonion appetizer and non-alcohol beverage on November 11 with proof of service.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, with locations in 22 states and the District of Columbia, will offer veterans (with official ID) a free entrée from a special menu November 9. Dine-in only.
Olive Garden will give active-duty military and veterans a free entrée from a special menu on November 11.
On the Border is giving veterans and active-duty military who dine in the restaurant November 11 a free meal from its "create your own combo" menu.
Outback Steakhouse will offer veterans and active-duty military a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage on November 11 and 15% off their entire check from November 12 through December 31 with a valid ID at participating restaurants.
Red Lobster will be giving veterans and active-duty military members with valid ID or proof of service a free select appetizer November 10 through November 13.
Shoney's will offer veterans and active-duty military a free All-American Burger on November 11.
Spaghetti Warehouse, with locations in seven states, has a "buy one entrée, get one free" coupon that veterans can use November 11. Printed coupon required.
Texas Roadhouse will honor veterans and active-duty military with a free lunch from a special menu November 11. Proof of service required.
T.G.I. Friday's will offer veterans and military personnel (with valid) a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11 at participating locations (contact your nearby T.G.I. Friday's to see if it is participating).
Wayback Burgers, with locations in 21 states, will offer veterans and active-duty military a Wayback Classic Cheeseburger with the purchase of any side and drink on November 11. Valid form of military ID required.
Free services and product discounts
JDog Junk Removal & Hauling is offering free junk removal services for disabled veterans who book a service on November 11. The franchise, which is owned and operated by veterans, has locations in six states.
Sleep Number is offering special discounts on select Sleep Number beds to current and past military personnel through November 16.
Free park admission
Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia is offering free admission November 7 through November 11 to active-duty military, reservists, veterans and retired military and their dependents.
Knott's Berry Farm in California is offering free admission for veterans and active-duty military (with ID) and one guest November 2 through January 4, 2015.
U.S. National Parks will waive entrance fees on November 11 for everyone at the 133 parks that usually charge an entrance fee.
Business opportunities for vets
Baskin-Robbins is offering an incentive program to veterans who want to open a Baskin-Robbins franchise. It will waive the franchise fee of $25,000 and offer a 0% royalty rate for the first two years for five qualified veterans.
Maui Wowi Hawaiian, a beverage chain that serves Hawaiian coffee and smoothies, is providing a 20% discount off its franchise fee for qualifying military veterans through December 31, 2014.
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