A number of restaurants are offering free meals and other discounts to veterans on Veterans Day 2025. Applebee's and Olive Garden are among them.
You can see a roundup of restaurants offering free meals to veterans here.
According to Military.com, Olive Garden "will offer each veteran and current member of the military who dines with us a free entrée from a special menu. Simply show proof of military service."
Veterans Day is on November 11, 2025.
Veterans can also get a free meal at Applebee's, although they have to pick from a list of items.
In a news release, Applebee's announced, "This Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, Applebee’s is proud to honor those who serve and have served our country. All Active Duty Military, Veterans, Reserves, and National Guard members who dine in-restaurant will receive a complimentary full-size entrée from an exclusive Veterans Day menu as a heartfelt thank-you for their service."
Added Applebee's, "This year marks the 18th consecutive year Applebee’s has celebrated Veterans Day with this tradition. Since the program began, Applebee’s has served more than 12.3 million free meals to America’s service members and veterans."
The free meals must be selected from a list of seven entrees. They are: 6 oz. Top Sirloin; Classic Bacon Cheeseburger; Chicken Tenders Platter; Double Crunch Shrimp; Fiesta Lime Chicken; Oriental Chicken Salad; and Three-Cheese Chicken Penne, according to Applebee's.
“There’s no greater energy than at an Applebee’s on Veterans Day. It’s a day where you can not only see, but feel the neighborhood coming together,” said John Peyton, Applebee’s president & Dine Brands CEO, in the release. “One of the busiest days of the year, we’re proud to welcome our nation’s heroes and thank them for their service and sacrifice with a complimentary entrée as a small token of our appreciation.”
