26 Veterans Day Freebies

Food and retail establishments say “thanks” to veterans and active-duty military by offering free food, goods and services.

(Image credit: (c) Thinkstock)

Many establishments will salute current and retired military members on or around Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, by serving up a variety of freebies -- from free meals to free haircuts.

We've rounded up a list of 26 special offers available to all veterans and active-duty military who show a valid proof of service on the designated date/time of the promotion. Take a look:

Free Food for Veterans

Applebee's: On November 11 (from open to close), dine-in customers can eat for free from a limited entree menu. Meal options include a chicken tenders platter, a chicken penne pasta dish and a 7-ounce sirloin steak meal. Special excludes drink and gratuity.

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Bar Louie: Get a free appetizer or entree up to $12 in value on November 10 and November 11.

Bonefish Grill: Visit a participating location during normal restaurant hours and receive a complimentary order of Bang Bang Shrimp on November 11.

Cheeseburger in Paradise Bar & Grill: Score a free burger with fries when you dine in at a participating location on November 11.

Cracker Barrel: Get a complimentary double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake dessert on November 11.

Craft Works Restaurants & Breweries: The craft brewery restaurant chain, which includes restaurants such as Gordon Biersch, Rock Bottom and Old Chicago Pizza, will offer a free craft beer to dine-in patrons on November 11. Participating locations that are prohibited from serving free craft beer will provide a free appetizer instead.

Denny's: Visit a participating location on November 11, from 5 a.m. to noon and receive a free "Build Your Own" Grand Slam breakfast when you dine in.

Ikea: Starting November 8 through November 11, get a free entree meal, which includes a sandwich, hot dish or entree salad, when you dine in at the Ikea restaurant.

Krispy Kreme: Pick up a free doughnut and small coffee on November 11. Offer valid in-store only.

Little Caesar's: Stop by a participating location on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to receive a free lunch combo meal. This includes four slices of Little Caesar's Detroit-style deep dish pizza and a 20-ounce soft drink.

Max & Erma: Dine in to receive a free America 3-Course Combo meal, which includes a cheeseburger, your choice of a cup of soup or side salad, fries, and a cookie on November 11, at participating locations.

Olive Garden: Enjoy a free entree from a limited menu that includes cheese ravioli, chicken parmigiana and lasagna when you dine in. Any family members that dine with you will receive 10% off on their meals.

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt: Get one free 11-ounce cup of froyo any flavor (including the new Pumpkin Spice Latte and Salted Caramel Latte flavors) on November 11 at participating locations.

Outback Steakhouse: Enjoy a free bloomin' onion and a beverage on November 11. Also, military personnel and their families get 15% off their orders starting November 12 through December 31.

PDQ: Get a free sandwich or three chicken tenders on November 11 at participating locations.

Red Lobster: Starting November 9 through November 12, get a free appetizer or dessert during normal restaurant hours. In addition to veterans and active-duty military, reservists can also get this freebie.

Red Robin: Visit a participating location on November 11 to receive a free Tavern Double burger with bottomless steak fries.

Spaghetti Warehouse: Buy one lasagna or original recipe spaghetti entree and get another free with this coupon starting November 9 through November 11.

Starbucks: Pick up a free 12-ounce (tall) cup of hot brewed coffee on November 11 at participating locations.

Texas Roadhouse: Dine in at a participating location on November 11 and get a free lunch entree from a special Veterans Day menu, plus a soft drink. Meal options include country fried chicken with two sides, pulled pork sandwich with fries and a sirloin steak with two sides.

White Castle: In-store customers at participating locations can pick-up a free breakfast slider and a small coffee or small soft drink on November 11.

Free Services for Veterans

GetBellhops.com: Need help with a big move or lifting boxes around the house? Get the use of two free "bellhops" for one hour of work -- no strings attached -- to help you load/unload a truck, move items into a storage unit or even rearrange furniture around your house. This offer is valid starting November 13 through December 15.

Great Clips: Stop by a participating location on November 11 to receive a free haircut card that's redeemable through December 31.

Meineke: Get a free basic oil change on your vehicle on November 11.

National Parks: Admission into all National Parks sites is free on Veterans Day.

Sports Clips: The men's hair salon chain will be serving up free haircuts on November 11.

Andrea Browne Taylor
Contributing Editor

Browne Taylor joined Kiplinger in 2011 and was a channel editor for Kiplinger.com covering living and family finance topics. She previously worked at the Washington Post as a Web producer in the Style section and prior to that covered the Jobs, Cars and Real Estate sections. She earned a BA in journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She is Director of Member Services, at the National Association of Home Builders.