On Friday, Nov. 11, the country will mark Veterans Day — a day to honor those who have served in the armed forces.
Many restaurants and businesses will honor veterans with freebies and specials. Listed below are some of the most notable ones.
FOOD
54th Street: This year, veterans and active duty personnel can order a free entree.
Applebee's: Free meal on Nov. 11 for all veterans and active-duty service members. Choose from seven entrees; drink is not included.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: Free entree up to $12.95 for active-duty military and veterans who show a military ID. Offer also includes $5 beers.
Back Yard Burgers: Free Back Yard Classic Burger for current and former military personnel who show a military ID or are in uniform.
Bar Louie: Veterans and active military members get a free food item (up to $12) when they dine in on Friday.
Billy Sims Barbecue: Free pulled pork, a regular side and a collector's cup for current and former military personnel who show a military ID or are in uniform.
Black Angus Steakhouse: Veterans and active duty personnel can redeem a free Top Sirloin Steak Dinner that includes a steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli and sweet molasses bread
Bob Evans: Free breakfast (all day) for active-duty military personnel and veterans.
Bonefish Grill: Free order of Bang Bang Shrimp for active-duty military personnel and veterans.
Bonanza Steakhouse: Veterans and active duty service members will be treated to a free steakhouse buffet.
Boston Market: Free cookie or brownie for active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families.
California Pizza Kitchen: Free entree for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID.
Chili's: Choose a free entree from a special Veteran's Day menu on Nov. 11.
Chipotle: Buy-one-get-one free deal on burritos, bowls, salads and tacos for all current and former military members, including National Guard and reserve who show a military ID. Offer also covers military spouses. Offer runs from 3 p.m. to close at all locations.
Chuck E. Cheese's: Free personal pizza for active-duty military and veterans.
Cracker Barrel: Free Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake dessert for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID.
Denny’s: Free Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon. for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID.
Duffy's Sports Grill: 10 percent of all lunch sales (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) will go to Honor Flight and Forgotten Soldiers Outreach.
Fazoli’s: Free build-your-own pasta bowl for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID.
Friendly's: Free breakfast, lunch or dinner on Nov. 11 for all active-duty military personnel and veterans. Free meals are limited to certain entrees. Dine-in only, one meal per person.
Golden Corral: Free dinner buffet including a beverage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 for all active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and reserves, and veterans.
Hooters: Free meal from the Hooters Veterans Day menu on Nov. 11 for all active-duty and retired military personnel (dine-in only; purchase of beverage required).
IHOP: Free stack of Red, White & Blue pancakes on Nov. 11, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for all active-duty military and veterans. IHOP says some of its restaurants will also offer a combo of two eggs, hash browns and choice of two bacon strips or pork sausage links as part of the Red, White & Blue Pancake promotion for retired and active duty military personnel. Check ahead of time to see if your nearest location is participating.
Krystal: Free sausage biscuit until 11 a.m. for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID.
Mimi's Café: Free entrée on select menu items for veterans and active-duty military members.
O'Charley's: Veterans and active duty members get a free meal on Friday.
Olive Garden: Free entree from a special menu for active-duty military and military veterans. The special menu features six of Olive Garden's most popular items. Entrées are served with unlimited homemade soup or famous house salad and warm, garlic breadsticks.
Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin' Onion and non-alcoholic beverage on Nov. 11 with a valid military ID.
Primanti Bros.: Veterans and active duty personnel receive a free sandwich on Veteran's Day.
Red Lobster: Free appetizer or desert on Nov. 10 and Nov. 11 for active-duty members, veterans and reserves.
Red Robin: Free Red's Tavern Double Burger and endless fries for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID.
Ruby Tuesday: Free appetizer up to $10 for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID.
Shoney’s: Free All-American Burger for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID.
Sizzler: Free lunch and beverage until 4 p.m. for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID. Meal is limited to certain entrees.
Spaghetti Warehouse: Veterans can print a buy, one, get one free lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs coupon to use on Friday.
TGI Fridays: Free lunch entree (up to $12) until 2 p.m. for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID. Meal is limited to certain entrees.
Uno Pizzeria: Those with valid military ID get a free meal or personal pizza with the purchase of another meal or personal pizza.
White Castle: Those with proof of service get a free breakfast combo or "Castle" combo meal.
Wienerschnitzel: Free chili dog, small fries and a drink for veterans and active-duty military. Check ahead for participating locations and if proof of service is required.
WingStop: Free 6-piece boneless wings combo for On Nov. 11, all military members and veterans. The combo includes the wings, a regular side, dipping sauce and a 20 oz. drink. No ID required.
Yard House: Free appetizer (dine-in only) on Nov. 11 for veterans and active-duty military members. No purchase is necessary, but valid military ID is required.
The Military Wallet website also has a comprehensive list of free meals from other restaurants.
OTHER FREEBIES
Retailers are already putting out ads for Veterans Day sales. Search for deals in our ShopSmart circulars.
Fantastic Sams: Free haircut on Nov. 11. for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID. This cannot be combined with other offers. Valid at participating locations only, so call ahead to check.
Great Clips: Free haircut on Nov. 11 or a free-haircut card for use on a later date for active-duty military personnel and veterans. Non-military members can purchase a service on Veterans Day and receive a free haircut card to gift to a veteran. Veterans can redeem their free haircut cards from Nov. 12 to Dec. 31.
Lowe's: Veterans and their families receive 10 percent off their purchases on Friday
Meineke: Free basic oil change for active-duty military personnel and veterans with military ID.
National Parks: Free admission on Nov. 11 at parks that normally charge an admission fee.
Sport Clips: Free haircut for active-duty military and veterans on Nov. 11 with military ID.
UFC Gym: Free gym use from Nov. 11 to Nov. 13 for active-duty military personnel, veterans and military families. Training sessions are free on Nov. 12.
Walgreens: Customers with a Walgreens Balance Rewards card and a valid military ID can get 20 percent off their purchases.
Clint Davis covers entertainment and trending news topics for the Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.
