Veterans Day is on Wednesday, November 11 — and the list of free meals for veterans and active-duty service members has just grown, with Denny’s and California Pizza Kitchen joining the offers confirmed this week.
Denny’s is offering a free Original Grand Slam breakfast on November 11, from 5 a.m. to noon, dine-in only, with a military ID or DD-214 required. California Pizza Kitchen is offering a free entrée and beverage from a special menu, plus a buy-one-get-one-free return-visit card valid from November 12 to 25, dine-in only, with a military ID. Both offers were newly documented in a November 7 update to the Veterans Day freebies guide, and they join the 48 chains already confirmed for 2026.
The Department of Veterans Affairs list, which was recreated and verified on October 22 and is updated continuously through November 11, confirms the wider range of offers. Applebee’s is offering a free entrée from a seven-item menu plus a $5 Bounce Back Card valid through November 29 — its 19th consecutive year of the offer. Chili’s is offering a free entrée from four choices, Bob Evans a free meal from an 11-item menu all day, and Golden Corral a free buffet at its Military Appreciation Night from 4 p.m. to close.
Vouchers to collect on the day
Some of the best offers are vouchers to pick up on Veterans Day itself. Aspen Creek Grill is offering a free $15 meal voucher, available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 11 and redeemable through December 24. Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers is offering a free combo-meal card, redeemable through November 25.
Other confirmed offers include Red Robin’s free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with bottomless steak fries, Ruby Tuesday’s free Everyday Fresh Meal up to $17.99, Blaze Pizza’s free one-topping pizza, and a free medium hot or iced coffee at Circle K, with no purchase required. Bar Louie is offering a free burger, excluding the Big Louie, on November 10 and 11.
Check before you travel
Most offers require proof of military service, are dine-in only, and apply at participating locations only — so veterans should confirm with their local restaurant before making a special trip. Two offers carry a caveat: Buffalo Wild Wings’ 10 free boneless wings and fries, and Dunkin’s free donut, are reported for 2026 but direct company confirmation is still pending, according to the Veterans Day guide. The AAFES Exchange is also running deals from November 6 to 12 on electronics, clothing and shoes. With 48 chains confirmed for free meals and 16 more offering discounts, Veterans Day 2026 is one of the biggest years yet for the tradition — and the new additions this week make it bigger still.
