9 ways restaurants are giving vets a break

Veterans Day offers restaurateurs a chance to increase foot traffic and demonstrate patriotism to customers. Promotions slated for tomorrow range from a free app to a complete complimentary meal.

Here are some ways the industry is appealing to the nation's service men and women on their 97-year-old day of celebration.

Free wings and fries are the tools of choice for Buffalo Wild Wings to attempt to draw in veterans and active members of the military, who will receive a small order of traditional or boneless wings with a side of fries for free on Nov. 11. If service men and women at the sports bar do not have documents identifying them as a veteran, they can still redeem the deal if they eat in uniform.

The Perkins family chain is inviting veterans to have a free Magnificent Seven meal. The signature breakfast includes two eggs, three buttermilk pancakes and a choice of two bacon strips or sausage links.

Veterans going to Applebee’s will receive a free meal with proof of service. They’ll have to pay for drinks and the tip, but the rest is free of charge.

The pizza chain will serve veterans with a military ID or proof of service a free entree from an exclusive Veterans Day menu. The deal is for dine-in only and the free entree is only available from the Veterans Day menu. Patrons ordering from the menu have their choice of a pizza, salad or pasta dish, including the Untraditional Cheese pizza, the Thai Crunch salad and the Kung Pao Spaghetti with chicken.

The chain of buffet and grill restaurants will host a Military Appreciation Night on Monday, Nov. 14, from 5 to 9 p.m. Visiting veterans will receive a free dinner buffet and a beverage during the event. Members of the National Guard and the reserves are welcome, too. Actor Gary Sinise and rock band Collective Soul are also working with Golden Corral to record public service announcements for Military Appreciation Night.

One free appetizer priced at $10 or less is available to veterans, active-duty and reserve military service members dining at Ruby Tuesday on Nov. 11. 

The frozen dessert chain will donate 11 cents from every ice cream scoop sold to the United Service Organizations on Nov. 11. The chain returned its camouflage-colored First Class Camouflage ice cream as the November flavor of the month in honor of America’s military service members and their families.

Barbecue joint Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is recognizing veterans with a free meal, which includes a sandwich, side and one of the chain’s Big Yellow Cups. Additionally, anyone dining with a veteran will receive a Big Yellow Cup with a purchase.

Any current or former service member looking for a free pizza on Veterans Day can find one at Figaro’s Pizza. Past or current members of the military may receive one free medium one-topping pizza from the chain upon request.

The Kiss-affiliated Rock & Brews casual chain is providing free pulled pork sandwiches to active service members, veterans and—in a twist—first responders. Rock & Brews’ partners include former Kiss band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, now sans their makeup. 

The American-style chain is offering veteran and active service members dining with a valid ID or in uniform a free lunch or dinner entree. Members of the military dining with friends and family will receive the entree of lesser value on their order for free, not counting tax and tip.

Active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses can enjoy a free tall brewed coffee at Starbucks. Additionally, Starbucks will contribute $5 for every Veterans Day Starbucks card or gift purchased to support programs for veterans. The coffeehouse chain is also using Veterans Day as an opportunity to highlight its year-round efforts to support the men and women serving our country both at home and overseas. Starbucks’ Adopt a Unit program partners with veteran service organizations to provide support to various military groups and delivers coffee and other Starbucks treats to active service members.

CentraArchy Restaurants, made up of nine chains including California Dreaming, is offering veterans and active service members a free entree and 25% off the entrees of their accompanying families. Veterans redeeming the deal are asked to bring a valid military ID or another proof of service to receive their free item from the regular dinner menu, excluding AQ items, Porterhouse, alcohol and tax.