It’s Veterans Day! To honor those who served our country, several restaurants, coffee shops, and fast food chains are offering free or discounted meals to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day.
The federal holiday is observed on Nov. 11 every year to commemorate the end of World War I, when the Allies and Germany signed an armistice agreement on Nov. 11, 1918. Fighting ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Here’s a list of deals and discounts available to Florida veterans today. Be sure to check with your closest location to confirm participation in deals.
Another Broken Egg Cafe
Veterans and active-duty service members can enjoy a free Patriot French toast combo and coffee on Nov. 11 at participating Another Broken Egg Cafe locations.
Applebee’s
Veterans and active duty military receive a free meal from a select menu on Nov. 11 at participating Applebee’s.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
Free BYOB (Build Your Own Burger) and fries for veterans on Nov. 11 (offer good at participating locations).
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
BJ’s Restaurants & Brewhouse’s Chocolate Chunk Pizookie dessert; veterans and active-duty military who dine in on Veterans Day can get one free.
On Nov. 11, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse will serve free Chocolate Chunk Pizookies with no minimum food purchase to current and former military members.
They also shared that from Nov. 12 through Dec. 31, guests with a valid military ID who dine in and purchase an entrée will receive a free Appetizer Bounce Back to enjoy on a future visit.
Blaze Pizza
On Veterans Day, veterans and active-duty military personnel can get a free one-topping pizza. Blaze Pizza will also donate $1 from every pizza sold that day to Folds of Honor, which provides scholarships to disabled veterans and the spouses and children of fallen veterans.
Bob Evans
On Nov. 11, Bob Evans is offering a select menu available free to veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings will give customers six free boneless or traditional wings if Super Bowl 59 goes into overtime.
All past and present armed service members can get 10 free Boneless Wings and Fries with a valid ID on Veteran Day.
The offer is valid for dine-in and walk-in service at participating locations.
Chili’s
Veterans and active duty military members get a free meal at Chili’s on Nov. 11 at all participating restaurants. Military ID required.
Chipotle
Members of the military community – veterans and active-duty military personnel with a valid military ID – who order any entrée can get a second entrée free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Veterans Day.
Guests can also round up their order total to the next highest dollar amount to donate to the United Service Organizations (USO) in its Round Up for Real Change feature on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com from Tuesday, Nov. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 16.
Cracker Barrel
On Nov. 11, veterans can enjoy a free Sunrise Pancake special at Cracker Barrel.
Denny’s
Veterans and active duty military personnel receive a free Original Grand Slam at Denny’s on Nov. 11 from 5 a.m. to noon.
Must show a valid military ID or DD214.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
All veterans and active-duty service members get a free hot or iced coffee (any size) on Veterans Day; the offer is good in stores, on the mobile app, or online using code FREECOFFEE.
No purchase is required.
Firehouse Subs
Firehouse Subs signature Hook & Ladder sandwich. Smoked turkey breast, honey ham, and melted Monterey Jack, served with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and deli mustard with a dill pickle spear served on the side.
On Veterans Day, active-duty military personnel and veterans can purchase one sub of any size and receive a second one free with a valid military ID.
The offer is valid for in-store purchases only and is limited to one per customer.
Ford’s Garage
All veterans and active-duty military will receive a free American Standard Burger or up to $15 off the entrée of their choice on Veterans Day.
The offer is valid for dine-in only on November 11 at participating Ford’s Garage locations. To redeem, please show a valid military ID.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
Veterans and active military personnel who visit on Nov. 11 will receive a free Freddy’s Combo meal card.
No purchase is necessary to receive this special offer. Cards may be redeemed through Dec. 31, 2025.
Golden Corral
On Nov. 11, from 4 p.m. to close, Golden Corral is hosting its Military Appreciation Night, which includes a complimentary meal.
Hooters
All retired and active-duty military personnel who present proof of service or a military ID and order a drink on Tuesday can get a free meal from the Hooters Veterans Day Menu.
Huey Magoo’s
Veterans and active-duty military receive a free 3-Piece Tender Meal with the purchase of a beverage on Nov. 11.
Must show Military or Veteran ID or 00-214 form to redeem.
iHOP
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can get free red, white, and blueberry pancakes at participating IHOP locations.
A valid military ID or proof of service is required.
Krispy Kreme
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can enjoy a complimentary small hot or iced coffee and a free doughnut of their choice on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.
The offer is valid in shops and at the drive-thru, with no other purchase necessary (limit one per guest).
Lazy Dog Restaurants
Active-duty military personnel, those discharged, retired, or reserve, receive a free Fireside Favorite on Nov. 11.
Maple Street Biscuit Company
Veterans and active-duty military get 10% off on Veterans Day with valid identification.
Metro Diner
Active and retired military can receive 50% off their meal on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025, at Metro Diner in Granger. Valid military ID required.
Veterans and active-duty military can get 50% off their dine-in meal on Veterans Day with a valid military ID. Additionally, veterans can enjoy 10% off their meal throughout the year.
Olive Garden
Olive Garden offers a complimentary meal to all active-duty military personnel and veterans on Veterans Day, November 11, featuring entrées from a special menu paired with breadsticks and salad or soup.
Guests must show proof of service, such as a military ID.
Outback Steakhouse
Veterans and active-duty military personnel receive a complimentary 3-course meal with a valid military ID when dining in on Nov. 10 and 11 (select entrées only).
Playa Bowls
Offering free bowls for all veterans, active duty, and retired military personnel with a valid ID on Nov. 11, at participating locations nationwide.
Perkins
On Nov. 11, veterans and active-duty members will receive a complimentary Magnificent Seven Breakfast at Perkins in celebration of Veterans Day.
Red Lobster
On November 11, Veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists can receive a free meal from a select menu at Red Lobster.
Red Robin
On November 11, Red Robin is honoring veterans and active-duty service members by offering a free Big Tavern Burger, served with bottomless fries.
Scooter’s Coffee
For National Coffee Day on Sept. 29, Scooter’s Coffee is giving the first 100 customers at each store a free National Coffee Day sticker with any purchase.
Show a valid military ID on Veterans Day and receive a free medium drink. Choose from the chain’s limited-time holiday menu drinks.
Mobile order-ahead is not available for this promotion; limit one redemption per customer only.
Sonny’s BBQ
Free pork big deal (sandwich, side, drink) for veterans, active-duty military.
Starbucks
Veterans, service members, and military spouses receive a complimentary 12-ounce tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) on Tuesday at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S.
Cold Brew is omitted. Cafés and drive-thru only.
Twin Peaks
All veterans and active-duty service members get a free lunch from a select menu between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time at participating locations nationwide. A valid military ID is required.
Whataburger
Starting Veterans Day, all veterans and active-duty military personnel can receive a free Taquito in-store at any Whataburger restaurant during breakfast hours every Tuesday through December 30. The offer is valid for in-restaurant orders only, and is not applicable to online or app orders; one order per qualifying guest.
Veterans and active-duty military can also get a free 16-ounce hot or iced coffee year-round.
Do you say happy Veterans Day?
The most appropriate thing to say to a veteran is to say “Thank you for your service.” For those who want to extend their thanks, it is recommended to listen to those who served and allow them to share their details if they feel comfortable doing so.
It is worth noting that Veterans Day honors all veterans, not just those who served in combat. Be cautious when offering your thanks; don’t assume you know what the person went through.
According to the nonprofit Soldiers’ Angels, here are some appropriate things to say to those on Veterans Day:
Thank you for your service
Thank you for all you did for our country.
Those who live in freedom will always be grateful to those who helped preserve it.
Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Veterans Day is today. See over 30 food deals, freebies in Florida