Restaurants across the country are offering free meals and other promotions to veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Some of the deals come with an incentive to return later in the year.
Roughly 30 restaurant brands are featured in Dinova’s 2026 Veterans Day Dining Guide, now in its fifth year, according to Alison Quinn, the company’s Florida-based president. The guide includes national and regional chains such as Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Hooters, Outback Steakhouse and Red Lobster.
“What we’re starting to see now is it’s going beyond Veterans Day, to try to give back to the vets in a way that is more meaningful,” Quinn told Fox News Digital. “Just not about one day but come back and we’ll give you something again.”
Quinn pointed to California-based Hoffman Hospitality Group, which is offering select free meals to veterans along with a $10 bonus card for a future visit. Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que is one of the group’s brands.
Outback Steakhouse is giving veterans a complimentary Bloomin’ Onion and soft drink, plus a separate meal offer for a return visit, Quinn said.
What else is on the menu
Other offers listed in the guide include 10 free boneless wings and fries at Buffalo Wild Wings, a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger at Red Robin, free shrimp at Red Lobster and a free All-American Smash at Smashburger.
Dinova built the guide to share these offers with veterans and, in some cases, active-duty personnel, Quinn said. The company’s business dining network spans about 25,000 restaurants and 600 corporate partners.
Downloads of the guide have grown each year, Quinn said, and the deals can be especially useful for veterans or active-duty service members who are struggling financially or “living under a tight budget.”
Asked which deal she’d pick for herself, Quinn named Eddie Merlot’s complimentary cheeseburger. Her father is an 85-year-old veteran, she said, and she plans to pass the offer along to him.
Quinn advised veterans and active-duty military members to bring identification and check with their local restaurant before visiting, since participation and ID requirements can vary by location and by offer.
