Local Deals Abound for Veterans Day

A number businesses in the Tampa Bay area are saluting veterans, military service men and women and their families this Veterans Day by offering discounts, specials and promotions. Here's a guide:

Two important notes:

• Most companies require some form of military ID. These include: a Military ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Drivers License with Veterans Designation, a photograph in uniform, you in uniform (if your service permits), veterans organization card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork or other form of identification. Other restaurants and companies may go by the honor system.
• Always call ahead to verify locations, times and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies. We will do our best to keep this page updated as we find new info.

 Free food:

• Applebee’s—free meal, Sunday, Nov. 11: Last year, Applebee’s served more than one million free meals to military veterans and active servicemembers. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. There will be seven entrées to choose from, beverage and gratuity not included. Military ID or proof of service required.

•   Chili’s—free meal, Sunday, Nov. 11: Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of seven meals. This offer is available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 11 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit the website to find locations. 

• Denny’s—free pancakes, Monday, Nov. 12: Free all-you-can-eat pancakes from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, for all active, retirees and veterans with a valid military ID or proof of military service. Offer available in every Denny’s nationwide.

• Outback Steakhouse—free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes until Nov. 11: Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active-duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veterans Day. This offer is available to military personnel with ID.

• Subway—free 6-inch sub, Nov. 11: Select SUBWAY® Restaurants will offer a free 6-inch sub or flatbread to military veterans on Veterans Day. This offer is valid only on Nov. 11 at participating local SUBWAY® restaurants. Military ID or proof of service required. Note: SUBWAY® Restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead for participation and times.

• Texas Roadhouse—free lunch, Monday, Nov. 12: Every Texas Roadhouse location across the country will participate in the free lunch event to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces. Choose from one of 10 free meals, plus sides and a drink. Offer good for all veterans – including all active, retired or former U.S. military. ID Required.

• T.G.I. Friday’s—free lunch, Monday, Nov. 12: Valid for all U.S. military personnel and veterans. Must wear uniform (if permitted by your service) or present military ID or other proof of service. Only valid at participating locations for anyone with an old or current military ID.

• The Olive Garden—free entrée, Sunday, Nov. 11: Offer good for veterans and active-duty military on Sunday, Nov. 11, during regular business hours. Choose from a special menu; all entrées include freshly baked garlic sticks and choice of soup or salad. Proof of service required.

• 7-Eleven—free Slurpee, Sunday, Nov. 11: Available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Offer good to all current and former military members. ID or proof of service required.

•   Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 12: If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.

• Carrabba's-- Free appetizer of choice Nov. 11-12: In celebration of Veterans Day. No purchase necessary. Proof of service required.

•   California Pizza Kitchen -- Free meal and nonalcoholic beverage Nov. 11-12: For veterans and active military with valid ID or proof of service.

•   Great American Cookies -- Free cookie giveaway Sunday, Nov. 11:  Patrons, either in uniform, carrying their military ID or proof of service who stop by a Great American Cookies location will receive a free regular cookie of their choice. greatamericancookies.com

•   Hooters – Free meal, Sunday, Nov. 11: Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active-duty military personnel. Get 10 free wings – boneless or regular, drink purchase required. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service. For more information, visit, www.HootersVeteransDay.com.

•   Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut, Nov. 11. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees and veterans. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

• Little Caesars Pizza -- Free Crazy Bread Monday, Nov. 12 -- Free Crazy Bread with proof of military status or proof of service at participating stores nationwide. Call ahead to verify participation.

• LongHorn Steakhouse, Sunday, Nov. 11: Complimentary Texas Tonion and nonalcoholic beverage. Offer good for veterans and active-duty military members. Proof of service required.

• Red Lobster – Sunday, Nov. 11: Free appetizer on Veterans Day with military ID or proof of service. Vets may choose from a select list of appetizers.

• Red Robin, Monday, Nov. 12: Free Red’s Tavern Double and Bottomless Steak Fries for all Red Robin guests with a military ID or proof of service.

• Einstein Bros Bagels -- Sunday Nov. 11: Free Signature or Classic bagels to vets on Sunday.

Store discounts:

• Home Depot Military Discount: The Home Depot is offering all active-duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veterans Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200. Home Depot makes this offer available to all veterans on most military holidays.

• Lowe’s Military Discount: Lowe’s Companies Inc. will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday. The discount is available through Nov. 11. The discount is available on in-stock and special-order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales and purchases of services or gift cards. Like Home Depot, Lowes offers this discount daily to active-duty military members, but not to veterans. However, it extends the offer to military veterans on military holidays.

• Big Lots: Veterans, active-duty, retired and reserve military personnel and their immediate family members with valid ID get a 10 percent discount on purchases.

•   Dollar General. A 10 percent discount on entire purchase on Veterans Day. Offer good for all active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Guard/Reserve and immediate family members. The coupon can be found in the store circular, or by asking an employee. Also good online from Nov 11-13, use Coupon Code VETERANSDAY. More info.

•   Meneike Car Care Centees. Free basic oil change, Nov. 12. Offer good for all active-duty, veterans and spouses of deployed military members. See press release for more info.

•   Sport Clips – Monday, Nov. 12: Sport Clips offers a Heroes discount, which includes active and retired military. Please call ahead to verify participation. Find a location near you.

• Sports Authority—15 percent off all purchases: All veterans and military personnel can stop by Sports Authority to receive 15 percent off their entire purchase on Nov. 11. Please show proper identification or proof of service at check-out to receive this special offer.

Entertainment venues:

Anheuser-Busch: Members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. Good through Dec. 31. Sign up at: http://www.herosalute.com/

Free activities:

• All national parks, forests and monuments offer free addmission to all on Veterans Day.