The Best Restaurant Deals For Veterans Day 2022

Americans are encouraged to pause every year on Veterans Day to thank a veteran or active military member for their service to the country; Many restaurants are also showing their appreciation by offering free items or deals for past and current members of the military for the holiday.

Always on November 11, Veterans Day lands on a Friday this year. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was a day to honor military veterans and those who died while serving, according to Britannica. The first Armistice Day was held in 1919 on the one-year anniversary of the armistice that concluded World War I and didn't become a national holiday until 1938. The name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 in order to broaden the scope of the day to include people who served during all U.S. wars.

Of course, there are many restaurants and retail shops that offer military discounts year-round, but on Veterans Day there are a few places that go above and beyond to show gratitude to these service members.

To celebrate Veterans Day on November 11, Wendy's will give a free breakfast combo to veterans and active members of the U.S. military when they show their valid military ID or Veterans Advantage card. "The offer is a small gesture of gratitude for the men and women who work tirelessly to protect our country," the chain said in a press release.

Wendy's menu features 11 breakfast combos with items like the Maple Bacon Chicken Croissant, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, and Breakfast Baconator combo. The combos come with a sandwich, beverage, and seasoned potatoes. The offer will only be available during Wendy's breakfast hours, so check with your local location to find out the best time to go. 

Bob Evans will be providing veterans and active members of the military with a "comforting meal" on November 11, 2022. These current and former service members will receive a special menu that includes seven homestyle favorites and they will be able to choose one to enjoy for free.

Examples of meals eligible for the promotion include the Country Biscuit Breakfast, Buttermilk Hotcakes, Soup & Salad Combo, and Mushroom & Onion Chopped Steak Dinner Bell Plate. A beverage is not included. To receive the free meal, veterans and active duty military need to show proof of military service.

Veterans and active military members visiting Chili's on November 11 will receive a free entrée that they can choose from a special menu. The special Veterans Day menu includes: Soup & Salad, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, Oldtimer with Cheese, and Boneless Wings (6 Count). To get the free entrée, veterans and active military members just need to dine in at the restaurant. Beverages are not included.

"Today and every day, we thank you, our veterans and active military members who define selfless service," reads the chain's announcement.

On Veterans Day, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews will serve veterans and active-duty military members a free Red's Tavern Double burger with Bottomless Steak Fries at participating restaurants nationwide. The burger includes two tavern-sized patties with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and Red's Secret Tavern Sauce. This offer is available for dine-in only and if you happen to miss it, the chain offers military discounts year-round through its loyalty program.

When veterans, active military members, and reservists eat at Red Lobster on Veterans Day, they can receive a free entrée of Walt's Favorite Shrimp, fries, coleslaw, and cocktail sauce, per an announcement. The half a dozen shrimp have been butterflied and lightly fried.

The Veterans Day offer is available for dine-in and to-go orders placed in the restaurant between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on November 11. To receive the free entrée, a valid military ID or proof of service must be shown.

To thank active and retired members of the military, Au Bon Pain will give them a free breakfast sandwich and a small drip coffee on Veterans Day. To receive the free items, customers must show a military ID and mention the offer at the time of purchase. 

Au Bon Pain has a great variety of breakfast sandwiches, including The Good Egg (cheddar, tomatoes, avocado, spinach, and lemon aioli on baguette), Power Protein Wrap (turkey sausage, egg, cheddar, avocado, spinach, tomatoes, and herb aioli in a tortilla), or keep it simple with Egg Whites, Cheddar & Avocado. There is a limit of one sandwich and one coffee per person.

Seven free entrees will be available for veterans and active-duty military members to pick from on Veterans Day as a thank-you from Applebee's. A few of the choices on November 11 include the Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, Chicken Tenders Platter, 6-ounce USDA Select Top Sirloin, and Three-Cheese Chicken Penne. To redeem the offer, U.S. veterans and active-duty military simply need to show proof of military service. 

According to the announcement, Applebee's has served 10.8 million free meals to members of the military since 2008. 

Starbucks is expanding its Veterans Day offerings in 2022. In past years, the coffee giant offered a complimentary tall, hot coffee, but now, veterans, active service members, and their spouses can enjoy either a free hot or iced beverage, per Today. To further show their support for service members, Starbucks will also be donating $100,000 each to the "veteran-focused nonprofits" Team Red, White, and Blue and Team Rubicon. The coffee brand also donated to these same organizations last year, contributing 25 cents for every hot coffee sold, per Starbucks Stories. 

In honor of Veterans Day 2022, convenience store chain Sheetz is giving veterans and active duty military members a free regular-sized soft drink with half a ham and cheese or meatball sub.

In addition to this meal deal, Sheetz will be offering to wash the car of anyone who qualifies for free; This car wash promo only applies to the $9 wash option, and naturally can only be claimed at Sheetz locations that have a car wash.

To claim either of these Veterans Day deals, you will have to show a military id or other proof of service.