Veterans Day 2026 Freebies: Free Meals, Haircuts & Offers

Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Several restaurants and businesses have announced complimentary meals, haircuts and other offers to thank eligible veterans and military service members.

This guide focuses on offers supported by current official announcements. Eligibility is different at each business: a benefit for a veteran does not automatically cover every accompanying family member. Confirm local participation before making a trip.

Veterans Day 2026 offers at a glance

Business Offer When Key condition Applebee’s Free entrée from a special menu November 11 Dine-in; proof of service required Chili’s Free meal from a limited menu November 11 Dine-in at participating restaurants Golden Corral Free buffet and beverage November 11, 4 PM until closing For the person who served; no takeout Bob Evans Free meal from a special menu November 11 Veterans and active-duty military; dine-in Great Clips Free haircut or haircut card for a later visit Visit November 11 For veterans and active military service members

Applebee’s: Free entrée and a return-visit offer

Veterans, active-duty military, Reserves and National Guard members can receive one complimentary full-size entrée from Applebee’s Veterans Day menu at participating U.S. restaurants.

Menu choices include a 6 oz. Top Sirloin, Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, Chicken Tenders Platter and other selected entrées. The offer is dine-in only on November 11. Beverages and gratuity are not included, and other coupons or discounts cannot be combined.

Eligible guests can also receive a $5 Bounce Back Card. It cannot be redeemed on the day issued and expires November 29, 2026; separate restrictions apply.

Read Applebee’s official 2026 announcement and accepted proof of service.

Chili’s: Complimentary meal from a limited menu

Veterans and active military members can receive a free selected meal when dining in at participating Chili’s restaurants on November 11, 2026.

The offer excludes beverages and gratuity, does not allow substitutions and cannot be combined with other offers. Chili’s recommends contacting the local restaurant with questions before visiting.

Check Chili’s official Veterans Day offer.

Golden Corral: Military Appreciation Night

Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night takes place on November 11 from 4 PM until closing. Anyone who has served in the U.S. military—including retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves—is eligible for the complimentary buffet and beverage.

Family and friends are welcome, but the free dinner is for the person who served. Other guests pay regular dinner pricing. Takeout and rain checks are not available.

Read Golden Corral’s event details and FAQs.

Bob Evans: Free meal for veterans and active-duty military

Bob Evans confirms a complimentary meal from a special dine-in menu for veterans and active-duty military on November 11, 2026.

Review the current menu and ask your restaurant about accepted service verification before visiting. Do not assume every item on the regular menu is included.

View Bob Evans’ Veterans Day information.

Great Clips: Free haircut or a card to use later

Veterans and active military service members can visit a U.S. Great Clips salon on November 11 for a free haircut or a free haircut card for a future visit. The cards are redeemable through December 4, 2026.

Non-military customers can also visit on Veterans Day to request a haircut card to give to a veteran or active military service member. That does not make the non-military customer eligible to use the card themselves.

Read Great Clips’ official 2026 announcement.

What should you bring?

Check the specific business’s verification policy. Applebee’s, for example, lists several acceptable forms of proof, including military or retired identification, a current Leave and Earnings Statement, a veterans organization card, a DD214 or a photograph of yourself in uniform.

Those examples are not a universal policy for every business. Ask your chosen location what it accepts and bring only what is needed to verify eligibility.

Plan your visit before leaving home

• Call the exact location to confirm participation and serving hours.
• Ask whether the offer is dine-in only or requires collecting a voucher.
• Check whether beverages, upgrades and other extras cost more.
• Confirm which members of your party qualify.
• Allow time for a busy dining room or salon.
• Keep any return-visit card and note its separate expiration date.

Frequently asked questions

Are these offers available to everyone?

No. Each business defines its eligible group. A free meal for a veteran or service member should not be interpreted as a free meal for the entire party.

Can I order a free meal for delivery?

Do not assume so. The restaurant offers highlighted here are dine-in promotions. Check the official conditions before placing any paid online order.

Where can I find more Veterans Day discounts?

The VA’s 2026 Veterans Day resource list includes additional restaurant, retail and service offers. Treat it as a starting point and confirm the terms with the business.

Source check: Double Deal reviewed the linked public announcements on November 5, 2026. Local participation and availability have not been verified by phone. Offers may change; the business’s current terms apply.

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