Veterans Day, observed each year on November 11, is a federal holiday that honors the men and women who have served in the United States military. While the nation pauses to recognize their sacrifice, many restaurants and retailers are offering special promotions for veterans and active‑service members.
Free meals and discounts for service members
Across the country, a wide range of dining establishments are providing complimentary entrees, snacks, or discounts to eligible patrons. Highlights include:
- Applebee’s – free entree from a select menu
- Bob Evans – free entree from a select menu
- Bruegger’s Bagels – free bagel, shmear, and coffee
- Buffalo Wild Wings – 10 free boneless wings and fries
- Chili’s – free entree from a select menu
- Chipotle – free chips and dip with a $5 purchase
- Cracker Barrel – free pancake breakfast
- Dave & Buster’s – unlimited gameplay on blue and green swipe games plus a free dessert with an entrée purchase (no tickets earned)
- Denny’s – free Original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon local time
- Golden Corral – free buffet and beverage from 4 p.m. until close
- IHOP – free red, white and blueberry pancake combo from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Little Caesars – free HOT‑N‑READY Lunch Combo
- LongHorn Steakhouse – 10 % off a meal and a free appetizer or dessert with an adult entrée purchase
- Olive Garden – free entree from a select menu
- Outback Steakhouse – free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca‑Cola product or a 16‑oz. domestic draft beer
- Red Robin – free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with bottomless fries
- Shake Shack – free ShackBurger
- Starbucks – free tall brewed coffee (hot or iced)
- Texas Roadhouse – free entree from a select menu
- Wendy’s – free Dave’s Single cheeseburger
- Great Clips – free haircut
- Publix – 10 % discount on groceries
- Food Lion – 10 % discount
For a complete list of participating businesses, veterans can visit the American Legion’s website.
What’s open and what’s closed
Most major grocery chains and retailers will remain open on Veterans Day, including Aldi, Food Lion, Publix, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, CVS, Costco, Target and Walmart. However, because the day is a federal holiday, all banks, United States Postal Service locations and Department of Motor Vehicles offices will be closed.
The U.S. stock market will operate as usual on Wednesday, allowing investors to trade without interruption.
Historical note
President Woodrow Wilson first established the holiday in 1919 to mark the end of World War I, and Congress officially recognized Veterans Day as a federal holiday in 1926. The observance provides an opportunity for the nation to express gratitude to those who have defended our freedoms.
Veterans and active‑service members are encouraged to take advantage of the complimentary meals and discounts offered by participating businesses, and to plan any banking or postal needs around the closures.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
