Veterans Day 2026 | Free meals, deals & discounts for vets & active duty service members

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Veterans Day 2026 free meals and discounts roll out across the US

   Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11, and restaurants and retailers nationwide are offering free meals and discounts to veterans and active-duty service members. Offers include free hot bar meals and drinks, free entrees, and multi-day restaurant promotions. Some deals extend beyond November 11. Local coverage spans Tampa Bay, Missouri, Central Florida, Baltimore, New York and other regions. Eligibility typically requires proof of military service, and participating businesses and terms vary by location.

   Why it matters

   Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, and became a U.S. holiday honoring military veterans. Annual business promotions have become a standard part of the observance, with national chains and local restaurants competing for patronage from the veteran community. The value of this year's coverage lies in its geographic breadth, though specific offer details remain scattered across local outlets rather than consolidated in one authoritative list.

   What is confirmed

   • Veterans Day 2026 occurs on Wednesday, November 11.
   • Food City offers a free hot bar meal and a drink for veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day.
   • Jefferson's Restaurant offers a free entree for veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day.
   • Rodizio Grill at Hamilton Place offers a free full Rodizio dinner for active-duty military and retired service members with the purchase of one adult meal from Monday, November 9 through Friday, November 13.
   • Fox News reports that some Veterans Day deals do not end on November 11.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Specific national-chain offers at Kohl's, Target, Dunkin' and Shake Shack are mentioned in headlines but without confirmed terms in the provided excerpts.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of exact participating locations and redemption requirements for each advertised offer.
   • Whether restaurant promotions extend past November 11 as indicated by Fox News.
   Sources used for this update (22)

   1. www.nbcnewyork.com — NBC 4 New York – NY local news, breaking news, weather
   2. foxbaltimore.com — College Park's Cornerstone Grill faces 90-day liquor license suspension
   3. The American Legion — Veterans Day 2026 Free Meals, Freebies and Deals
   4. wtsp.com — Veterans Day events, giveaways and discounts across Tampa Bay
   5. Military Times — Groceries, gas, a ‘Grand Slam’: here are your Veterans Day discounts
   6. Fox News — Veterans Day 2026 brings free meals at popular restaurants — and some deals don't end Nov. 11
   7. WBFF — Veterans Day 2026 | Free meals, deals & discounts for vets & active duty service members
   8. Delish — The Best Veterans Day Food Freebies, From Dunkin’ Donuts To Shake Shack Burgers
   9. 9News — Veterans Day 2026 deals: Big discounts for veterans at Kohl’s, Target and more
   10. FOX 2 — Veterans Day: Free meals and discounts in Missouri
   11. KOB 4 — Free food options on Veterans Day for those who served
   12. WBAL-TV — Veterans Day: Here's a list of deals and what's open and closed
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