Franchisors Say “Thank You” to Veterans with Free Food and Discounts
In honor of Veterans Day 2022, many franchises offer discounts and freebies to their customers who served — or are currently serving — in the U.S. military. From free meals and haircuts to discounted car services and health supplements, franchisors are finding new and creative ways to thank veterans for their service.
Veterans and Franchising
Veterans do well in franchising because they are trained to work in teams and have strong leadership skills. Veterans interested in franchise ownership can find many resources, including the International Franchise Association’s VetFran Program and the Small Business Administration’s Boots to Business initiative.
The franchise industry is known for its love of veterans. Many franchisors offer incentives to recruit veterans as franchise owners, and also as customers. From the number of deals we outline below, it’s clear that franchisors appreciate the commitment and sacrifice U.S. military veterans have made.
Veterans Day 2022: Franchise Deals, Freebies and Promotions
Chicken Salad Chick
The Chicken Salad Chick franchise offers military personnel a free meal on Veterans Day 2022. Service members must be in uniform or present a valid military ID to enjoy this deal.
Denny’s
At Denny’s, Veterans Day is an annual tradition. From 5 a.m. to noon, active and inactive military members can enjoy the fast-casual franchise’s Build Your Own Grand Slam promotion at select locations. Veterans can pick four favorite foods from more than 10 menu options. These include buttermilk pancakes and eggs. Veterans need to present a military ID.
Golden Corral
For more than two decades, the Golden Corral franchise has hosted Military Appreciation Night as a way to thank veterans. Veterans Day 2022 is no different. Military heroes can get a free meal and drink at Golden Corral from 5 p.m. until closing on Nov. 14. The offer is for dine-in only and doesn’t apply to spouses or family members. No military ID is required to enjoy the deal.
Little Caesars
Veterans hankering for some pizza on Veterans Day 2022 can enjoy a free lunch combo at participating Little Caesars locations. This promotion lasts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes four slices of Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce soft drink. Veterans and military personnel must present proof of service to get the deal.
Olive Garden
With a military ID, veterans can receive a free meal from a predetermined menu at the Olive Garden. Veterans can pick from five popular options: Never-Ending Soup, Salad and Breadsticks, Cheese Ravioli, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Fettuccini Alfredo (above), and Chicken Parmigiana. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Red Lobster
At Red Lobster, military veterans can receive a free Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Fries, and Coleslaw meal. This features six hand-breaded, butterflied and lightly fried shrimp served with cocktail sauce, french fries and coleslaw. This deal is good for dine-in and to get orders placed in the restaurant, and a military ID is required to redeem it.
Perkins
On Veterans Day 2022, participating Perkins locations offer military personnel and veterans a free Magnificent Seven breakfast. The meal includes two eggs, three pancakes and two bacon strips or sausage.
Smoothie King
In honor of Veterans Day 2022, select Smoothie King locations offer veterans a free 20-ounce smoothie. Proof of military service is required, and it is good for in-store orders only. Check your local Smoothie King location for exact times of the promotion.
Chili’s
On Veterans Day 2022, military personnel can enjoy a free Margarita Grilled Chicken, Cajun Chicken Pasta, or Just Bacon Burger meal at Chili’s. The deal is good in-store only.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
On Veterans Day 2022, the Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers franchise will distribute meal cards for a free Original Double Combo. The meal card is valid through Nov. 30.
IHOP
Veterans Day is an annual tradition at IHOP. Veterans receive free Red, White & Blue Pancakes or a Pancake Combo, with a valid military ID. This deal is good in-store from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Military personnel can enjoy 10 boneless wings and fries for free on Veterans Day 2022. The deal is good both in-store and with takeout orders with proof of military service. BWW GO Locations will be included for walk-in and orders at the counter.
Sport Clips
On Veterans Day 2022, participating Sport Clips locations offer free haircuts to veterans with proof of military ID. Sport Clips also honors veterans with its Help a Hero Scholarship program, which provides veterans and service members with scholarships for college and trade schools.
Dunkin’
Veterans can indulge in the sweetness of a free doughnut at Dunkin’ on Veterans Day 2022. No purchase or military ID is required.
7-Eleven
When veterans use the 7-Eleven app this Veterans Day 2022, they’ll score a free coffee or Big Gulp drink.
Wendy’s
At Wendy’s, military personnel and veterans can enjoy a free small breakfast combo with a valid military ID on Veterans Day. No purchase is necessary for the deal. Check your local location for details about hours for the promotion.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii
Free coffee anyone? This Veterans Day 2022, veterans and active-duty military can take part in various promotions and discounts, such as a free cup of coffee, from participating Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii locations. The coffee franchisor has the Cup O’ Joe program, which accepts donations that go directly to the purchase of coffee for U.S. service members. Since the inception of the program, Bad Ass Coffee has shipped over 14,500 bags of coffee to service personnel around the world.
Fazoli’s
When veterans go to participating Fazoli’s locations this Veterans Day 2022, they can get a free regular spaghetti meal with meat or marinara sauce.
Melting Pot
With the purchase of a four-course meal, veterans can eat for free at select Melting Pot locations. A valid military is needed to redeem the offer.
The Vitamin Shoppe
From Nov. 11 – 13, veterans receive a 25% discount on their purchase at in-store Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements locations. To redeem the deal, veterans have to show proof of service.
Hooters
This Veterans Day 2022, Hooters offers vets a free entree from its Veterans Day menu with the purchase of a drink. Popular Veterans Day menu items include the Buffalo Chicken Salad, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Hooters Burger, and a 10-Piece Boneless Wings. The deal is good dine-in only, and a military ID is required.
Applebee’s
Since 2008, Applebee’s has honored military personnel with a free meal on Veterans Day. Veterans Day 2022 is no exception. Veterans can choose from seven items including a 6 ounce Top Sirloin, Double Crunch Shrimp, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Chicken Tenders Platter, Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, Oriental Chicken Salad, and Three-Cheese Chicken Penne. Veterans will also receive a $5 bounce back card to redeem for dine-in, To Go or delivery within a three week redemption period.
California Pizza Kitchen
For Veterans Day 2022, the California Pizza Kitchen franchise offers veterans and active military a free entree and nonalcoholic drink from a pre-selected menu. The promotion is good for dine-in only, and military personnel must present a valid military ID. To show support for Disabled Americans Veterans, a non-profit organization, the pizza franchisor is hosting a fundraiser from Nov. 7 – 9 and will donate 20% of sales to the organization.
Ben’s Soft Pretzels
Veterans with a craving for pretzels can get a free one at participating Ben’s Soft Pretzels franchise locations this Veterans Day 2022.
Biggby Coffee
Veterans can get a free 16 ounce beverage of their choice at participating Biggby Coffee locations on Veterans Day. A valid ID is needed to get the deal.
Great Clips
Participating Great Clips locations offer veterans a complimentary haircut or a free haircut card to use from Nov.12 through Dec. 9. Non-military customers who get a haircut on Veterans Day can pay it forward by giving the card to a veteran they know.
Wienerschnitzel
To honor the military, a free chili dog with a small fry and a small Pepsi is offered to veterans and active-duty service members at the Wienerschnitzel franchise. A valid ID or uniform is required.
Zaxby’s
In the mood for some free wings? On Veterans Day 2022, military personnel can go to participating Zaxby’s locations for a free Boneless Wings Meal. Served with Texas Toast, crinkle fries and ranch sauce, the meal features five chicken tenders that are tossed in one of the brand’s eight different sauces.
Hurricane Grill & Wings
At participating Hurricane Grill & Wings locations, active-duty military members and veterans can enjoy a complimentary meal. These meals include 10 Bone-in or Boneless Wings, a Steakburger served with a side of fries, a Chicken Caesar Salad, and a Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich and fries. A valid military ID is required, and the deal is good for dine-in only.
Nékter Juice Bar
Health-conscious military members can go to Nékter Juice Bar for a free 16 ounce juice or smoothie on Veterans Day 2022. The deal lasts all day, and a military ID has to be presented to redeem it.
Meineke
For veterans looking to get some work done on their cars on Veterans Day 2022, select Meineke franchises offer either a free basic oil change or 50 percent off a synthetic oil change. Contact your local shop for more details.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
At Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, the first 6 ounces of a yogurt treat are free for veterans. A valid ID is required.
SONIC Drive-In
At the SONIC Drive-In franchise, veterans can mix and match any two food items for $5 with an additional tax on Veterans Day. These items are the Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger, Regular Fritos Chili Cheese Wrap, and Small Jumbo Popcorn Chicken.
Huddle House
Breakfast is on the house at participating Huddle House franchises this Veterans Day 2022. With a military ID, veterans can indulge in the fast-casual brand’s MVP Breakfast Platter, which includes two eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns or fresh fruit, a waffle or pancake, and a choice of grits or a biscuit. This deal is for dine-in only.
Crunch Fitness
For Veterans Day, participating Crunch Fitness locations are offering veterans, active military, and first responders a seven-day free trial gym membership and an exclusive offer. This includes $0 enrollment ad $3 off standard recurring dues on Peak Results, according to a press release. This promotion is ongoing throughout the year for all who apply. Select Church Fitness locations are also hosting an open house week from Nov. 7- 13 so veterans, active military, and their families can work out for free.
Genghis Grill
At the Genghis Grill franchise, veterans will receive a free small Chef Bowl or Create Your Own Bowl when they dine-in restaurant on Veterans Day 2022. To qualify, veterans must present a valid military ID or show up in uniform.
BD’s Mongolian Grill
On Veterans Day 2022, veterans will receive a free Signature Stir-Fry Bowl or Create Your Own Bowl when they dine-in restaurant at BD’s Mongolian Grill. Veterans need to present a valid military ID or show up in uniform to redeem the offer, which excludes unlimited bowls and cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount.
Johnny Rockets
On Nov. 11, active-duty military and veterans can enjoy a free single burger of their choice at participating Johnny Rockets locations. A valid ID needs to be presented, and the burger comes with fries or a shake.
Cousins Subs
As a salute to Veterans Day 2022, Cousins Subs is offering active-duty military and veterans a free 7.5” sub. This deal is only redeemable in-store, and proof of service is required.
Salad Station
From Nov. 9 – 11, the Salad Station franchise is offering veterans free salads. The salad franchise has been honoring Veterans Day since the business first opened a decade ago.
Venture X
Through the month of November, service members can get a complimentary membership at participating U.S. locations of Venture X, a franchise that provides coworking spaces. According to a Venture X press release, Terry Wallace, veteran and owner of the Venture X location in Bethlehem, Penn., came up with this Veterans Day special. This deal includes shared office amenities and workspaces, networking opportunities with other business members and invitations to events. Free high-speed internet and complimentary coffee and refreshments are also included.
Tommy’s Express Car Wash
In recognition of Veterans Day, Tommy’s Express Car Wash is offering a free car wash to veterans and active-miliary personnel. This is the sixth year in a row that the car wash franchise has offered this deal.