Veterans Day Free Meals 2026
Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11. 44 restaurant chains are listed below, 28 of them with a free meal for veterans and active-duty service members. Chili's has announced its 2026 offer so far; every other row is what the chain gave on Veterans Day 2025, marked with its year. These offers come back most years with small changes, and we update each row as the 2026 offers are announced.
Announced for Veterans Day 2026
- Chili's: Free meal from a four-item Veterans Day menu: Chicken Crispers, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, the Oldtimer Burger with Cheese, or Soup & House Salad. Veterans and active military. Dine-in only at participating restaurants, valid 11/11/2026; drinks and tip not included, no substitutions.
How to Get Your Veterans Day Meal
- Bring proof of service: a military ID, VA card, DD 214, or a driver's license with the veteran designation.
- Plan to eat in. Nearly every free meal is dine-in only, and most exclude drinks, alcohol and the tip.
- Go early or late. Dining rooms fill up at lunch on November 11 â Denny's offer ends at noon, Golden Corral's starts at 4 p.m.
- Texas Roadhouse is different: pick up a voucher between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and eat on another day.
- Offers are at participating restaurants, and franchise owners can opt out, so call ahead if you are driving a distance.
Veterans Day 2026 Free Meals â FAQ
What restaurants give veterans a free meal on Veterans Day 2026?
Chili's, Applebee's, Texas Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse, Golden Corral, IHOP, Cracker Barrel, Buffalo Wild Wings, Red Robin, Denny's, Cicis Pizza, In-N-Out Burger and 16 other chains gave veterans and active-duty military a free meal or entrĂ©e on Veterans Day â Chili's for 2026, the rest in 2025. Most offers are dine-in only and need proof of service.
When is Veterans Day 2026?
Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Restaurant offers are good on November 11 unless the chain says otherwise; Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba's Italian Grill also ran theirs on November 10 last year.
Which Veterans Day 2026 offers have been announced?
Chili's: free meal from a four-item Veterans Day menu: Chicken Crispers, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, the Oldtimer Burger with Cheese, or Soup & House Salad. The other chains on this page had not announced their 2026 offers when we last checked on October 18, 2026, so their rows show the 2025 terms.
What do I need to show to get a free Veterans Day meal?
Any proof of service: a military ID, a VA health or benefits card, a DD 214, a state ID or driver's license with a veteran designation, or a veterans organization membership card. Some restaurants also accept a photo of you in uniform. A few chains (Golden Corral in 2025) asked for no ID at all.
Are Veterans Day free meals dine-in only?
Most are. Chili's, Applebee's, Golden Corral, IHOP, Buffalo Wild Wings and Red Robin serve the free meal in the dining room only. Texas Roadhouse hands out vouchers to use on a later visit instead, and Chipotle's buy-one-get-one is for orders placed in the restaurant.
Does Chili's give veterans a free meal on Veterans Day?
Yes. For Veterans Day 2026 (Wednesday, November 11): Free meal from a four-item Veterans Day menu: Chicken Crispers, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, the Oldtimer Burger with Cheese, or Soup & House Salad. Veterans and active military. Dine-in only at participating restaurants, valid 11/11/2026; drinks and tip not included, no substitutions.
Does Applebee's give veterans a free meal on Veterans Day?
It did last year. On Veterans Day 2025: Free full-size entrée from a special Veterans Day menu (seven choices in 2025, including the Top Sirloin and Classic Bacon Cheeseburger). Dine-in. Veterans and active-duty, Reserve and National Guard members. Applebee's had not announced its 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11.
Does Texas Roadhouse give veterans a free meal on Veterans Day?
It did last year. On Veterans Day 2025: Voucher for a free meal: one of 10 entrĂ©es (among them a 6 oz sirloin) with two sides and a drink, to use on a later visit. Vouchers handed out 11 a.m.â2 p.m. at every restaurant with proof of service (military or VA card, or discharge papers). The 2025 vouchers were good through May 31, 2026. Texas Roadhouse had not announced its 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11.
Does Chipotle have a Veterans Day deal?
Yes, last year. On Veterans Day 2025: Buy one entrĂ©e, get one free. 4â8 p.m. local time in U.S. restaurants, with a valid military ID. Chipotle had not announced its 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11.
Does Krispy Kreme have a Veterans Day deal?
Yes, last year. On Veterans Day 2025: Free doughnut and a small hot or iced coffee. In-shop at participating locations, no purchase needed. Veterans and active-duty military. Krispy Kreme had not announced its 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11.
Does Outback Steakhouse give veterans a free meal on Veterans Day?
It did last year. On Veterans Day 2025: Free Aussie 3-Course Meal from select entrées. November 10 and 11, with a valid military ID. Outback Steakhouse had not announced its 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11.
Does Golden Corral give veterans a free meal on Veterans Day?
It did last year. On Veterans Day 2025: Free dinner buffet and drink on Military Appreciation Night (its 25th year in 2025). Veterans Day from 4 p.m. to close, dine-in. Active duty, retirees, Reserve, Guard and veterans; not extended to family members. Golden Corral said no ID is required. Golden Corral had not announced its 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11.
Does IHOP give veterans a free meal on Veterans Day?
It did last year. On Veterans Day 2025: Free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo: pancakes, eggs, hash browns and bacon or sausage. Dine-in, 7 a.m.â7 p.m. Veterans and active-duty military. IHOP had not announced its 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11.
Does Cracker Barrel give veterans a free meal on Veterans Day?
It did last year. On Veterans Day 2025: Free Sunrise Pancake Breakfast. With a valid ID. Veterans and active-duty military. Cracker Barrel had not announced its 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11.
Does Firehouse Subs have a Veterans Day deal?
Yes, last year. On Veterans Day 2025: Buy one sub, get a second sub free (any size). With a valid military ID. Active duty and veterans. Firehouse Subs had not announced its 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11.