Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts in 2026 (Verified)
Browse our list of confirmed, free meals and discounts offered on Veterans Day 2026.
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Happy Veterans Day to all of those who’ve served or are currently serving. This year, Veterans Day is on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Every year, numerous restaurants and businesses extend their gratitude to veterans by offering discounts or complimentary meals on Veterans Day, as well as retail promotions, free events, and attractions. We express our heartfelt appreciation to the companies offering veterans a free meal or discount in support of those who serve.
Editor’s Note: This list is constantly being updated. We at The Military Wallet take great pride in this effort each year and have an entire team working to verify the accuracy of these discounts. It’s so good, many of the lists you’ll see online this time of year tend to ‘borrow’ **wink** this list. No worries here, we’re just glad the information is getting shared.
It’s important to note that many of these companies tend to offer the same or similar discounts each Veterans Day. As our team begins confirming discounts for 2026, know that many companies don’t “officially” release their discounts until we get closer to the observance day. We encourage you to check back over the coming weeks, as we will be making changes and updates to this page weekly, and more likely daily, to bring the latest updates on discounts and free meals for Veterans Day.
9/3/26 Update: We’ve begun updating our discount content for Veterans Day 2026 deals and free meals. You will start seeing updated discount information regarding the upcoming Veterans Day. Some of the 2025 content remains listed, as many companies offer the same discount each year, so we want you to have an idea of what you can expect. We’ll continue to update the discount lists as we get any announcements from the companies. Around this time of year, it is very likely this list will update frequently, so I recommend checking back weekly until we get into October (then check back daily). These updates will also be sent to you via email, so I encourage you to sign up to receive our alerts.
Please verify participation and bring proof of service. We have done our best to include sources and links to each brand when possible. However, due to local offerings and individual franchises, not all locations may be participating. Please call ahead to verify participation. Additionally, nearly every free meal or discount requires proof of service, such as a military ID, veteran designation on your driver’s license, or discharge paperwork. Please come prepared!
2026 Veterans Day Free Meals & Discounts
The following list is for the most popular national restaurant chains offering free meals on Veterans Day.
- Applebee’s
- BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
- Bob Evans
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Chili’s
- Dave and Buster’s
- Denny’s (morning)
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
- Golden Corral (evening)
- Hooters
- Olive Garden
- O’Charley’s
- Outback Steakhouse
- Shoney’s (morning)
- Texas Roadhouse
- Twin Peaks
- Wendy’s (breakfast)
- 54th Street Grill & Bar
Full list of 2026 Veterans Day Meal Discounts
Proof of Military Service
Most companies require some form of military ID or proof of military service. These include:
- A Military ID Card (active/reserve/retired)
- VA-issued Veterans ID Card or a VA Health Care ID card
- Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
- Drivers License with Veterans Designation
- Photograph in uniform, wearing your uniform (if your service permits)
- Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW)
- DD214, other discharge paperwork, or another form of identification
- Other restaurants and companies may go by the honor system.
Participation
Always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies.
We will do our best to keep this page updated as we find new info, but the only way to guarantee you get your Veterans Day meal is to call ahead and check with your location.
Tipping
This one may be a no-brainer, but you should tip your server thoughtfully in a way that reflects the full cost of the meal, whether you eat a free meal or not.
More Ways to Save this Veterans Day
We’ve written multiple posts to share even more military discounts and Veterans Day deals for you.
In addition to paying an appreciative visit to one of the restaurants above, you can celebrate this Veterans Day with Veterans Day Activities, Events and Attractions and Veterans Day Retail Discounts and Special Offers, including free National Park Admission, Amusement parks, and retail and regional discounts.
