Find discounts, free meals and more

On November 9, 2024By Littum

Veterans Day is coming up, which means businesses across the country will be giving back to more than 20 million military personnel in the United States with offers and discounts.

Please call your local business or restaurant ahead of time to make sure they offer a discount at their location, and don’t forget your valid military ID or honorable discharge card as proof of service.

Iowa restaurants and stores offering Veterans Day deals

Here are some locally owned restaurants and shops where veterans and active military members can grab a bite, enjoy a treat or save some money:

Arcadia Polk City

On Sunday, Nov. 10, veterans and active military members can enjoy a free meal from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Big Grove Brewery

This Veterans Day, Big Gove invites all veterans, active duty service members and Gold Star families to enjoy a free meal. The free meal options include hot beef, a four-cheese sandwich or a chicken Caesar salad. Free meals are available at all Big Grove locations from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m

Blank Park Zoo

From Saturday, Nov. 9 through Monday, Nov. 11, Blank Park Zoo is hosting Salute to Our Heroes, where all veterans and active military members can enjoy free zoo admission and half price for up to four guests.

Captain Roy’s

Enjoy a free breakfast on November 11 at 9:00 a.m

Casey’s

On November 11th, veterans can receive any size coffee or fountain for free. Active military and on-duty, uniformed first responders can enjoy the offer year-round.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Veterans and active military members can get free admission to the gardens from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

Color road

On November 11th, Fareway is offering a 15% discount to all military personnel, active or retired.

Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream

Happy Joe’s will offer veterans and active duty military a free lunch buffet on Nov. 1, including a drink and a free small pizza. The offer is only available at selected locations.

Hy-Vee

Enjoy a free breakfast for veterans and active military members on November 11 from 6 to 10. Veterans and active military members can also get 15% off grocery purchases in store and online on Veterans Day.

Kum & Go

On November 11, veterans and active military members can get a free Bean-to-Cup coffee, up to size large, at all Maverik and Kum & Go locations nationwide.

The Poke Company

Poke Company’s Des Moines location offers a 20% discount year-round for veterans, military and first responders.

Pilot Flying J

On Nov. 11, active or veteran military service members and their families can enjoy a free meal up to $12 through the Pilot’s myRewards Plus app at participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network locations.

Prairie Meadows

Take part in a festive ceremony on Monday 11 November at 11 at Prairie Meadows Casino & Racetrack. Enjoy a free lunch, live music and military exhibits.

Smokey D’s BBQ

Enjoy a free plate lunch at Smokey D’s all Veterans Day with proof of military ID.

Ziggy’s coffee

On Nov. 11, all veterans and active military members are invited to enjoy a free 16-ounce drink at Ziggi’s. 10% discount for military members year round when showing a military ID.

National chains offering Veterans Day deals

Plenty of national chains with a presence in Iowa also offer specials to honor veterans. Here is some of what you can find:

7 Brew coffee

At all 7 Brew stands nationwide, veterans will receive 25% off any drink when they show workers a valid military or veteran ID on November 11th.

Apple bees

On November 11th, Applebee’s across the country will serve free meals to veterans and military personnel. With proof of service, they can choose from seven entrees, dining only.

Proof of service includes US Uniformed Services ID card, US Uniformed Services Retired ID card, current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (eg American Legion, VFW), photograph of yourself in uniform, wearing uniform, DD214 and citation or commendation.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day. Offer valid for dine-in with valid ID and walk-in counter orders at Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations only.

Caribou coffee

On November 11th, veterans, active duty military members and their spouses with valid ID can receive a small hot brewed coffee of the day or a cold press exclusive nitro.

Chick-fil-A

Show your military or veteran ID for a free chicken sandwich at participating locations.

Cracker Barrel

Veterans and active military personnel receive a free piece of double fudge Coca-Cola cake with their meal. The offer is valid throughout November.

Denny’s

Veterans and active military personnel get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam on November 11 from 5 for dinner, dining only.

Dunkin

Veterans and active duty military can receive a free donut of their choice on November 11th at participating locations, in-store only.

Fazoli’s

Fazoli’s is giving veterans and active duty military a free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce at participating locations with valid proof of service on November 11th. Eat with or use the online code: Vet24.

Freddy’s

Veterans and active duty military personnel visiting participating locations on November 11 will receive a meal card valid for one free combo meal of their choice. The cards must be redeemed no later than 31 December 2024.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

All active duty, veterans and retired military with an ID can enjoy a 25% discount at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria on November 11th. The chain offers service members and veterans a 15% discount year-round.

IHOP

Get a free red, white and blue pancake or a pancake combo from 07.00 to 7pm on Veterans Day for dining only. Military ID or proof of service is required.

Krispy Kreme

Veterans and active duty military can start their Veterans Day with a free breakfast at Krispy Kreme that includes a donut of your choice and a small coffee.

Little Caesars

Veterans and military personnel can get a free lunch combo between 11am and 2pm at participating Little Caesars locations.

Olive garden

On Nov. 11, Olive Garden has a free Veterans Day meal for all active duty military and veterans, including an entrée from a special menu paired with breadsticks and salad or soup.

Perkins

Veterans and active duty members will receive a free Grand Seven breakfast for Veterans Day.

Red lobster

Red Lobster is offering free shrimp and chips to veterans and active military members with proof of service. The meal features six hand-breaded, butterflied and lightly fried shrimp, fries, coleslaw, plus a beverage. Tax and tip are not included. No substitutions or changes are permitted.

Scooter’s coffee

Veterans and active military members can receive a free medium drink on Veteran’s Day for any drink on the Scooter’s Coffee menu. Mobile pre-order is not available.

Starbucks

The coffee chain is offering veterans, active duty members and their spouses a free 12 oz coffee on Nov. 11 at participating locations.

Sonic

On Nov. 11, veterans and active duty service members can enjoy half-price shakes in any size and flavor at participating Sonic locations.

Subway

Veterans and active members can receive a free 6-inch sub sandwich or 10% off sub sandwiches at participating locations.

Wendy’s

Active military and veterans get a free breakfast combo on November 11 at participating Wendy’s locations from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Do you know of an offer that we missed? Send us a message at [email protected] for consideration.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him at X @CooperAWorth.