Everywhere Veterans Can Get Free & Cheap Food All Year Long

We're used to seeing the deluge of restaurants that offer free meals and discounts to veterans and active-duty members of the military on Veterans Day. 

However, many of those same restaurants offer discounts throughout the year as a way of saying thanks to those who have served more than just once a year. You might not see quite as many places offering a free meal, but there are solid discounts to be had on meals every day. 

Here are the best deals on food for veterans and active-duty military personnel that can be found throughout the year. Though you should note, almost every location requires some form of military ID to get the discount, and stores generally require validation through a service like ID.me or SheerID.

Schlotzsky's
The deal: Veterans can grab free chips and a small drink with the purchase of an entrée. 
When: Through November 30

Hooters
The deal: Veterans who show proof of service and buy a beverage get a free entrée from a special Veterans Day Menu. 
When: November 11

Wendy's
The deal: The fast food chain is offering veterans a free breakfast combo.
When: November 11, 6:30-10:30 am

Starbucks
The deal: Veterans, active service members, and military spouses get a free 12-ounce hot brewed or iced coffee. 
When: November 11

Dunkin'
The deal: Veterans can grab a free donut. No purchase is required, but you do have to order in-store.
When: November 11

Buffalo Wild Wings
The deal: Veterans and active-duty service members get ten free Boneless Wings. You have to dine in at Buffalo Wild Wings locations or order at the counter from a BWW Go.
When: November 11

IHOP
The deal: The chain offers a free Red, White, & Blue Pancake order at participating locations when veterans flash some proof of service. 
When: November 11, 7 am to 7 pm

White Castle
The deal: Veterans and active service members get a free Combo Meal or Breakfast Combo Meal. 
When: November 11

Cracker Barrel
The deal: Veterans or current service members can get a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake with any purchase. If you're ordering online, use the code "VETSDAY22."
When: November 11

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
The deal: Veterans get a free Magnificent Seven Meal when they show an ID. No purchase is required. 
When: November 11

Qdoba
The deal: Take 50% off a purchase if you're a veteran or active-duty personnel. The deal is only valid in-store, though, and you need to present a valid ID. 
When: November 11

Smokey Bones
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel get a free entrée when they show an ID. No purchase is required. 
When: November 11

Chicken Salad Chick
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel can get a free meal on Veterans Day. Either come in uniform or bring an ID. This is a deal it does annually and, to date, has given out more than 50,000 free meals to veterans.
When: November 11

Miller's Ale House
The deal: Veterans get 50% off an entrée when they show proof of service. 
When: November 11

Red Lobster
The deal: Veterans, reservists, and active-duty personnel get a free Walt's Favorite Shrimp meal. That's available for dine-in and To Go orders placed in the restaurant.
When: November 11, 11 am to 4 pm

7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes
The deal: Veterans get a free Quarter-Pound Big Bite hot dog. You can get that in-store or for delivery through the 7NOW app. 
When: November 11

Smashburger
The deal: Service members can pick up a free burger or sandwich at participating locations. 
When: November 11

On the Border
The deal: Veterans get a free Pick 2 Combo. 
When: November 11

Aroma Joe's
The deal: Veterans get a free 24-ounce drink. 
When: November 11

Smoothie King
The deal: Active-duty personnel and veterans get a free 20-ounce smoothie in-store when they show an ID on Veterans Day. 
When: November 11

Huddle House
The deal: Anyone who has served gets a free MVP Breakfast Platter on Veterans Day. You just have to show a valid ID. 
When: November 11

Rock & Brews
The deal: Veterans can grab a free Pulled Pork Sandwich or Strawberry Fields Salad. First responders and active service members can also get the deal. 
When: November 11

Norms Restaurants
The deal: Veterans can take 50% off any entrée for themselves and a guest. 
When: November 11

Snuffer's
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel can flash an ID to get a free burger or sandwich. 
When: November 11

Cotton Patch Cafe
The deal: Veterans can grab a free chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken when they show an ID while dining in. 
When: November 11

American Social
The deal: Veterans and their families get 50% off meals all day on Veterans Day. 
When: November 11

Outback Steakhouse
The deal: Military service members, firefighters, and first responders get 10% off their entire check every day of the year. That's no different on Veterans Day.
When: Ongoing

Old Country Buffet
The deal: Take 15% off if you're active-duty personnel, reserve, or retired and wearing a uniform or carrying a valid ID. 
When: Ongoing

Panda Express
The deal: Military veterans can take 10% off their tab every day of the year. For the remainder of 2020, that discount has been extended to first responders as well. 
When: Ongoing

Grimaldi's
The deal: The pizza shop offers active-duty personnel and veterans 15% off their meals year-round. 
When: Ongoing

Peter Piper Pizza
The deal: Veterans--as well as firemen and first responders--get 10% off orders every day of the year at Peter Piper Pizza. 
When: Ongoing

Carrabba's Italian Grill
The deal: All service members and first responders get 10% off their visit every day of the year. 
When: Ongoing

Joella's Hot Chicken
The deal: Military personnel and veterans can get 10% off their meals year-round at Joella's. 
When: Ongoing

Fire Dept. Coffee
The deal: There's a 15% discount for life for active military, veterans, first responders, and emergency dispatchers. 
When: Ongoing

BJ's Wholesale
The deal: Veterans who join BJ's get 25% off standard membership fees. There are also other discounts specifically for veterans and active-duty personnel, like a coupon for $10 off your first trip after becoming a member.
When: Ongoing

Costco
The deal: Members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families get a $30 Costco Shop Card when they join Costco as a new member. 
When: Ongoing

Fred Meyer
The deal: Current members of the military, veterans, and military families get an extra 10% off your purchase on advertised days.
When: Ongoing

Bob Evans
The deal: With your military ID, you can get a 10% discount on your check year-round. 
When: Ongoing

Kind
The deal: Order Kind bars through the company's site to get 15% off everything on the site. That offer is available to military veterans, active-duty personnel, first responders, nurses, and doctors. 
When: Ongoing

Omaha Steaks
The deal: Take 10% off your order if you're an active-duty member, retirees, veteran, military spouse, or a dependent. 
When: Ongoing

Dutch Bros. Coffee
The deal: The discount is up to each location, but there are discounts to be had. 
When: Ongoing

Smokey Bones
The deal: Take advantage of a 10% discount every day of the year when you show your valid military ID.
When: Ongoing

Bonefish Grill
The deal: The Heroes Discount gets service members, veterans, and first responders 10% off their check every day of the year. 
When: Ongoing

Sport Clips Haircuts
The deal: The Help A Hero campaign is back. Participating locations are offering discounted or free haircuts to veterans. 
When: October 9 - November 12

Goodyear Auto Service and Just Tires
The deal: Veterans, active service members, and first responders can get a free "care care check." That includes a free tire, brake, and battery check, plus 10% off tires and services. If you can't get in during that window, you can call by November 14 to set an appointment by November 17 to still get the free service.
When: November 10-14

True Rest Float Spa
The deal: All locations are going to be closed to the public to give veterans an opportunity "to experience the benefits of a sensory-fre and zero-gravity environment" for free. 
When: November 11

Hertz
The deal: Veterans can take 20% off the base rental rate on a car rental. The rental can be booked for pickup from November 11 to January 31, 2023.
When: Book through November 11

Academy Sports + Outdoors
The deal: Veterans, active service members, and first responders get a 10% discount on purchases online and in-store.
When: Through November 11

Authenticity50
The deal: Teachers, military members, and first responders can take 20% off orders from the bedding company all year long. 
When: Ongoing

Bull's Horn Food and Drink - Minneapolis, MN
The deal: Veterans get a 10% discount year-round, which includes one of the best burgers in the Twin Cities. 
When: Year-round

Wendy's
The deal: The Boo Book is back. For a dollar, you can get a coupon book that gives you five free junior Frostys. Plus, you'll be supporting the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. 
When: Through October 31

Wendy's
The deal: Grab a premium sandwich for $1 when you buy another. Grab that weekly through the end of the month. 
When: Through September 30

Wendy's
The deal: Place an order that hits the $10 minimum in the Wendy's app and you'll get a free large order of fries. 
When: Through September 30

Wendy's
The deal:  Take advantage of a buy-one-get-one-free deal on the Sausage, Egg and Cheese or Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit. You can get that discount in the mobile app once per week until the deal expires. 
When: Through September 25

Moe's Southwest Grill
The deal: The burrito chain's new "Kids Eat Free" program offers a free meal to kids 12 and under every Sunday at participating locations. No purchase is required.
When: Ongoing

Boston Market
The deal: The rotisserie chain is offering free kid meals. No purchase is required at all. Kids 12 and under can just grab a free one. 
When: For just a little while

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