Veterans Day Free Meals 2026: 101 Chains and a Printable List

Checked Nov. 8, 2026. The list now has 101 free meals and 30 discounts, from Military.com's list updated Nov. 8, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Legion and the chains' own announcements. Wendy's, Cracker Barrel, TGI Fridays, Logan's Roadhouse, Black Angus and Hy-Vee are among the 67 offers added.

Veterans and active-duty service members can eat free at 101 restaurant chains on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, so far, and 30 more offer discounts. That is the count from Military.com’s list updated Nov. 8, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Legion and the chains’ own announcements. Most of the big names are in: Applebee’s, Denny’s, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, International House of Pancakes (IHOP), Little Caesars, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel and Wendy’s, which gives a free Dave’s Single this year instead of last year’s breakfast combo. Krispy Kreme offered free food last year and has not announced yet. Great Clips has now announced free haircuts and cards for 2026. Below are the 2026 free meals, the discounts, the offers you can use on another day, the fine print that trips people up, and a one-page cheat sheet to print.

Jump to the full list of free meals

Free meals confirmed for 2026

All on Nov. 11 unless noted, at participating locations, from Military.com’s 2026 list and the chains’ own pages:

Restaurant	Offer	Fine print
110 Grill	Free lunch from a select menu	Veterans and active duty, select menu
151 Coffee	One free drink, any size	Military ID or proof of service
Applebee’s	Free meal from a limited menu	Dine-in only, participating locations
Aspen Creek Grill	$15 voucher	Pick up 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; use Nov. 11 through Dec. 24, dine-in, no alcohol
Bandana’s BBQ	Free pulled pork sandwich and a side	No substitutions
Bar Louie	Free burger (not the Big Louie)	Nov. 10 and 11, dine-in, ID
Biggby Coffee	Free 16-ounce hot or iced coffee
Biscuit Belly	Free breakfast sandwich and coffee or fountain drink	Dine-in only
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse	Free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie	Dine-in; plus a free appetizer coupon for Nov. 12 through Dec. 31
Black Angus	Free 6-ounce sirloin meal	Families 15% off
Blaze Pizza	Free one-topping pizza
Bob Evans	Free meal from an 11-item menu, served all day	Dine-in only, proof of service; plus a coupon for free biscuits and sausage gravy on a later visit (Bob Evans)
Bombshells	Free appetizer, entrée or dessert	Texas and Colorado locations; family members 20% off
Bonefish Grill	Free Bang Bang Shrimp and a nonalcoholic drink	Valid ID; veterans, active duty and families
Bravo! Italian Kitchen	Free pasta
Brio Italian Grille	Free pasta entrée
Buca di Beppo	Free lunch entrée	40 participating locations, one per guest
Buffalo Wild Wings	10 free boneless wings and fries	Dine-in, GO or walk-in; valid ID
California Pizza Kitchen	Free entrée from a special menu and a nonalcoholic drink
Carolina Ale House	Free half rack of ribs	North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee only
Casey’s	Free coffee or fountain drink and a car wash	Car wash where available
Cattlemens	Free sirloin dinner	California only, 4 to 10 p.m., or an emailed certificate for Nov. 12-18
Charleys Cheesesteaks	Free regular Gourmet Fry	Military ID, no purchase needed
Chelo’s	Free meal	Select menu
Chili’s	Free meal from a limited Veterans Day menu	Dine-in only, valid only on Nov. 11; drinks and tip not included; no substitutions (Chili’s)
Circle K	Free medium hot or iced coffee	Valid military ID, no purchase required, participating U.S. locations (per the Department of Veterans Affairs)
Claim Jumper	Free meal from a select menu
Common Man	Free entrée
Cotton Patch Cafe	Free regular chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken	Dine-in only, military ID
Cracker Barrel	Free Sunrise Pancake Special
Denny’s	Free Original Grand Slam	5 a.m. to noon, military ID
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit	Free pulled pork sandwich	Dine-in or carryout
Dunkin’	Free donut	In store only, one per guest, not in the app (per Military.com)
Eddie Merlot’s	Free prime cheeseburger and fries
El Chico	Free entrée	Up to $25
Eureka!	Free burger
Farmer Boys	Free Big Cheese Burger	Dine-in only, one per member, no delivery or mobile orders
Fazoli’s	Free spaghetti	Code VET26, no purchase needed
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers	Free combo meal card	Valid military ID; card good through Nov. 25 (Freddy’s)
Gold Star Chili	Free meal	Up to $12 value
Golden Corral	Free “thank you” meal, Military Appreciation Night	Dine-in, 4 p.m. to close; Military Appreciation Night details
Hacienda	Free large wet burrito	Dine-in or carryout
Hard Rock Cafe	Free Classic Smash Burger, all day	Can be combined with its 15% military discount
Hickory River Smokehouse	Free meal
Hof’s Hut	Free Hofburger or pancakes, plus a $10 card	$10 card good Nov. 27 to Dec. 6
Hooters	Free meal from a special Veterans Day menu	With a beverage purchase
Hopdoddy	Free classic burger
Hoss’s Steak & Sea House	Free soup, salad, bread, nacho and dessert bar with iced tea	Dine-in only; plus a $10-off-$40 voucher good through Nov. 25
Hurricane Grill & Wings	Free entrée	Choice of several entrées
Hy-Vee	Free breakfast	6 to 10 a.m.; 15% off groceries with code VETS2026
IHOP	Free Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo	Dine-in only, ID or proof of service
In-N-Out Burger	Free burger, fries and drink, plus a Veterans Day decal	Proof of service; Reserve and National Guard members included
J. Christopher’s	Free meal
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice	Free small treat
Keke’s Breakfast Cafe	Free Classic Two Egg Combo	No purchase needed
Lazy Dog Restaurants	Free Fireside Favorites entrée, personal dessert and soda	Six entrées to choose from; retirees, Reserve and Guard included
Little Caesars	Free lunch combo: four slices of Detroit-Style Deep Dish pepperoni pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi product	11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local, proof of service; in store only, not online, app or delivery (Little Caesars)
Logan’s Roadhouse	Free meal	11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lucille’s Smokehouse	Free sandwich or chicken, plus a $10 card	$10 card good Nov. 27 to Dec. 6
Main Event	Free double cheeseburger, fries and a 30-minute game card
Marzoni’s Brick Oven & Brewing	One free 12-ounce draft beer or nonalcoholic drink	Dine-in only, one per veteran
Max & Erma’s	Free cheeseburger, fries and drink
Menchie’s	Free first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt
Mission BBQ	Free sandwich
Native Grill & Wings	Free meal	Choice of several
Newk’s Eatery	Free Pick 2
Olive Garden	Free entrée from a special menu	Dine-in, proof of service
Outback Steakhouse	Free Bloomin’ Onion and a drink	Nov. 10 and 11; plus a free Hero’s Meal for a later visit through Dine Rewards
Paisano’s Pizza	Free large one-topping pizza	40 participating locations
Piada	Free entrée
Pilot and Flying J	Free sandwich and coffee or fountain drink	In the Pilot app, verified through ID.me (Pilot)
Pluckers	Free meal	Texas only, up to $17 value
Polly’s Pies	Free slice of pie	Nov. 10 and 11, no purchase needed
Prince St. Pizza	Free slice	One per person
Red Lobster	Free Veteran’s Shrimp & Chips	Dine-in, ID
Red Robin	One free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries	Dine-in only, Nov. 11 only, participating restaurants (Red Robin)
Rock and Brews	Free pulled pork sandwich or salad
Ruby Tuesday	Free Everyday Fresh Meal from 13 entrées, with the Garden Bar and a drink	Dine-in only
Scooter’s Coffee	Free medium drink	In store, one per guest
Shake Shack	Free single ShackBurger	Order in-Shack, military ID; no purchase required, one per order, while supplies last; excludes airports, stadiums, arenas, travel plazas and museums; not via the app, website, delivery or drive-thru (Shake Shack)
Sheetz	Free half turkey sub and regular fountain drink, plus a free car wash	ID required, more than 800 stores
Shoney’s	Free Legendary Breakfast Bar	Dine-in, opening to 11 a.m.
Sizzler	Free lunch and nonalcoholic drink: tri-tip, Malibu chicken or shrimp	Open to 4 p.m.
Smashburger	Free All-American Smashburger	ID required, participating locations (per the Department of Veterans Affairs)
Sonny’s BBQ	Free Pork Big Deal	One per guest
Starbucks	Free 12-ounce (tall) brewed coffee, hot or iced	Veterans, service members and spouses, participating stores (per the Department of Veterans Affairs)
The Country’s Best Yogurt (TCBY)	Free first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt
Ted’s Bulletin	Free Ted’s Tart
Teriyaki Madness	Free bowl	In shop
Texas Roadhouse	Free meal voucher	Handed out 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., proof of service; good through May 31, 2027, per Military.com
TGI Fridays	Free meal from a select menu	11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Torchy’s Tacos	Free taco and a drink	In store only, proof of service (per the Department of Veterans Affairs)
Tuscan Brands	Free meal	11 a.m. to 4 p.m., reservations required
Twin Peaks	Free entrée from a select menu	Plus 20% off all November
Uno Pizzeria & Grill	Free entrée from a special menu
WaBa Grill	Free slice of crepe cake
Wendy’s	Free Dave’s Single	Inside or at the drive-thru
White Castle	Free individual combo or breakfast combo
Wings and Rings	Free lunch combo	All day
WOB Bar & Kitchen	Free Single Smash Burger and fries
Yard House	Free appetizer	Dine-in, military ID

Outback’s Nov. 10 and 11 offer is at participating restaurants. Out West Restaurant Group, a franchisee that runs 61 Outback restaurants in the West, filed for Chapter 11 on Nov. 2, and Bloomin’ Brands’ filing says the case has no immediate impact on Out West or company-owned Outback guests. Our Outback Steakhouse closing locations list has the details, and a call ahead is the safest check before you go.

Discounts and deals with a purchase

These 30 offers take money off or need a purchase, from Military.com, the American Legion and the chains’ own pages:

Restaurant	Offer	Fine print
7 Brew	50% off a drink order	Open to all customers, not only military
54th Street	Up to $10 off any entrée	Dine-in, proof of service; cannot be combined
99 Restaurants	Free lunch from the Veterans Day menu	Opening to 4 p.m., with any entrée purchase, military ID
Benihana	Free hibachi entrée with an appetizer purchase	Nov. 9-11
Brick House Tavern + Tap	20% off	Parties of up to four
Bruegger’s Bagels	Free coffee	With a food purchase
Buffalo’s Cafe	25% off	Excludes alcohol
Capriotti’s	Free small sub with a purchase	Purchase required
Carrabba’s Italian Grill	Buy one entrée, get one free Nov. 8-10; free appetizer or dessert and a drink on Nov. 11	Buy one, get one Nov. 8-10
CentraArchy	50% off an entrée	At six of its restaurant brands
Chipotle	Free chips and your choice of guacamole, Queso Blanco or salsa	In restaurant only, with a $5 minimum purchase (excluding the free item, tax and tip), proof of service; not mobile, online, delivery or catering (Chipotle)
Dave & Buster’s	Free all-day Unlimited Game Play and/or a free dessert, with a qualifying entrée	Military ID; game play on blue and green swipe games (Dave & Buster’s)
Eat’n Park	10% off for you and your party	Dine-in, Nov. 1 through 30; free Smiley Cookie on Nov. 11
Einstein Bros. Bagels	Free coffee, any size, with a purchase	Purchase required
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill	Free lunch or dinner, up to the value of a guest’s meal	Dine-in only
Firehouse Subs	Buy one sub, get one free	Purchase required
Fogo de Chão	50% off the Full or Indulgent Churrasco	Saturday, Nov. 7
Joe’s Crab Shack	20% off	Dine-in, ID
Kings Family Restaurant	25% off meals
Kona Grill	Free entrée with a starter purchase	Nov. 9-11
LongHorn Steakhouse	10% off, plus a free appetizer or dessert for the table	With an adult entrée purchase
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant	50% off an entrée	Dine-in, Northeast locations
McCormick & Schmick’s	Half-price select entrée	Sunday, Nov. 8, dine-in
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille	Free dinner-cut pork chop with a full-price entrée, or a three-course military menu for $39	4 p.m. to close, reservations required
Playa Bowls	50% off bowls	In shop
Rubio’s	Buy one entrée, get one free with code VETS26	In-store only, military ID
Saltgrass Steak House	20% off	Veteran plus up to four guests
Sonic	Half-price shakes, any size or flavor	No ID required
STK Steakhouse	Free entrée with a starter purchase	Nov. 9-11
Viva Chicken	Free entrée with a qualifying guest entrée	Guest entrée required

Deals you can use before or after Nov. 11

Nov. 11 falls on a Wednesday, a workday for many veterans. These offers reach past the day itself:

When	Restaurant	What to do
Sun., Nov. 1 through Mon., Nov. 30	Eat’n Park	10% off your party’s dine-in check
All November	Twin Peaks	20% off, on top of the free Nov. 11 entrée
Sat., Nov. 7	Fogo de Chão	50% off the Full or Indulgent Churrasco; tell your server
Sun., Nov. 8	McCormick & Schmick’s	Half-price select entrée, dine-in
Sun., Nov. 8 through Tue., Nov. 10	Carrabba’s Italian Grill	Buy one entrée, get one free; a free appetizer or dessert and a drink on Nov. 11
Mon., Nov. 9 through Wed., Nov. 11	Benihana, Kona Grill, STK Steakhouse	Free entrée with an appetizer or starter purchase
Tue., Nov. 10 and Wed., Nov. 11	Polly’s Pies	Free slice of pie, no purchase needed
Tue., Nov. 10 and Wed., Nov. 11	Outback Steakhouse, Bar Louie	Free Bloomin’ Onion and drink, or a free burger, either day
Thu., Nov. 12 through Wed., Nov. 18	Cattlemens	Use the emailed certificate if you skip the Nov. 11 sirloin dinner (California)
Through Wed., Nov. 25	Freddy’s	Pick up the combo meal card on Nov. 11, redeem later
Through Wed., Nov. 25	Hoss’s Steak & Sea House	$10 off a $40 check with the voucher from your Nov. 11 visit
Through Fri., Dec. 4	Great Clips	Free haircut on Nov. 11, or take the card and redeem it at a U.S. salon
Fri., Nov. 27 through Sun., Dec. 6	Hof’s Hut, Lucille’s Smokehouse	Redeem the $10 card from your Nov. 11 meal
Through Thu., Dec. 24	Aspen Creek Grill	Pick up the $15 voucher on Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thu., Nov. 12 through Thu., Dec. 31	BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse	Free appetizer coupon from your Nov. 11 visit
Through Mon., May 31, 2027	Texas Roadhouse	Pick up the voucher between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 11
A later visit, no end date given	Outback Steakhouse, Bob Evans	Hero’s Meal through Dine Rewards; free biscuits and sausage gravy

The Texas Roadhouse voucher has the longest window in Military.com’s list: one stop at lunch on Nov. 11, and the meal can wait until next spring.

Krispy Kreme has not announced a 2026 offer

This chain offered the following on Nov. 11, 2025, according to Military.com, and is not on its 2026 list as of Nov. 8. Check before you go.

Restaurant	2025 offer	Fine print
Krispy Kreme	Free doughnut and small coffee	In shop only

Stores, haircuts and parks

Home Depot gives veterans, service members and spouses 10% off eligible purchases, up to $400 a year, every day after you register in the store’s app. Lowe’s takes 10% off most full-price items, with no annual cap, once you verify your service through ID.me. Neither is a Veterans Day-only deal, so you can use them any week.

Target gives verified military members, veterans and their families who belong to Target Circle 20% off one qualifying storewide purchase from Nov. 5 through Nov. 11, 2026, according to Target’s Nov. 5 fact sheet. Target Circle is free to join, and you verify your status in the Target app.

Walgreens takes 20% off eligible regular-priced items for veterans, active-duty service members and their families in its stores from Nov. 8 through Nov. 11, according to its offer page; you need a myWalgreens account and proof of service, and alcohol, tobacco, stamps, gift cards and prescriptions are excluded.

Tractor Supply lists Veterans Day, Nov. 11, among its 2026 “Honoring Heroes Days,” when members of its free Neighbor’s Club Hometown Heroes program get 10% off, according to the company’s May 21 announcement. USA Today and Military.com both report the 10% discount for Nov. 11.

Great Clips says veterans and active military service members can visit any of its 4,400+ U.S. salons on Veterans Day for a free haircut or a card to use on a later visit. The cards are redeemable through Dec. 4, 2026 at U.S. salons, according to the company’s Oct. 20, 2026 announcement. The Department of Veterans Affairs adds that anyone getting a haircut that day can request a free haircut card to give a veteran.

Sport Clips says participating locations provide free or discounted haircuts on Nov. 11, 2026 for veterans and service members with a valid ID, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Grace For Vets says participating car washes give free car washes to all veterans and active-duty personnel every Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Its list of participating car washes shows the locations taking part.

National parks waive entrance fees on Nov. 11, 2026, one of the National Park Service’s fee-free days. The free entry applies to U.S. citizens and residents only, and other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may still apply. Veterans and Gold Star families can also get the free Military Lifetime Pass, which covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at national parks and other federal lands any day of the year.

The fine print that trips people up

• Proof of service required. Bring a Veteran ID Card or Veteran Health Identification Card from the Department of Veterans Affairs, a military ID (Common Access Card or Uniformed Services ID), a driver’s license or state ID with a veteran designation, or your DD-214. Our guide to proving veteran status for discounts covers how to get each one.
• Dine-in only. Most free meals do not work for takeout, delivery apps or online orders unless the restaurant says so.
• Beverage and gratuity not included. Drinks, tax and tip are usually extra. Tip on the full value of the meal if you can.
• Veteran only. Guests pay, with the few exceptions noted above.
• Participating locations. Franchise restaurants can opt out. Call ahead, and go early at lunch: Nov. 11 is a Wednesday, so offices and banks close but most restaurants run normal weekday crowds plus the holiday rush.

What else is open on Nov. 11

Veterans Day is a federal holiday under 5 U.S.C. § 6103, and it never moves to a Monday. Federal offices, banks and post offices close, and there is no regular mail delivery; the stock markets trade normally. Our Veterans Day 2026 guide has the full open-and-closed list and the history of the date.

Print the cheat sheet

The free two-page cheat sheet lists the same 101 free meals and 30 discounts confirmed for 2026 as of Nov. 8, the Great Clips and Sport Clips haircuts and the Grace For Vets car wash, and the chain still to announce, with tags for dine-in, ID, family, hours and later use, plus a cut-out wallet card of accepted IDs. Check off places as you go, and pin the day on our November 2026 printable calendar or a weekly planner. For the rest of the month, see November 2026 important dates.