Happy Veterans Day!
November 11, 2015 is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. In honor of this special date, we wanted to say "Thank You" to all the people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and those who are actively serving.
NBC News compiled a great list of retailers and restaurant chains that are offering gestures of goodwill towards Veterans. We verified these promotions to be active and available for you to use. However we would advise you to contact your local chain to confirm their participation before heading out.
Food and Beverages
Applebee's: Free entrée from a fixed menu on Veterans Day.
Chili's: Free entrée from a set menu.
Olive Garden: Free meal from a special menu; family members eating with them get 10 percent off their meals.
T.G.I. Friday's: Free lunch from a special menu from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Denny's: Free "build your own Grand Slam" breakfast from 5 a.m. until noon.
California Pizza Kitchen: Free entrée from a special menu of pizza, pasta and salad.
Little Caesars: Free $5 pizza-and-beverage lunch combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sizzler: Free lunch of chicken, steak or shrimp, and coffee, tea or a fountain drink until 4 p.m. (See participating locations here.)
Hurricane Grill & Wings: Free meal from a limited menu, including a nonalcoholic drink.
Red Lobster: Free appetizer or dessert (no purchase necessary) from a special menu, from Monday through Thursday.
Golden Corral: Free buffet dinner and beverage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at all locations.
Steak 'n Shake: Free breakfast skillet and coffee from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. for veterans.
PDQ restaurants: Free sandwich or three-piece chicken tenders.
Friendly's: Free "Big-Two-Do" breakfast or burger and fries lunch (limit one meal per person).
Bob Evans Restaurants: Choice of four free breakfast items.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers: Free Red's Tavern Double burger with fries.
Cheeseburger in Paradise: Free burger and fries.
IHOP: Free pancakes with strawberries, blueberry compote and whipped topping from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Other Services
Great Clips salon chain: free haircuts. Vets can either get a free cut or a voucher for a free cut to use any time before the end of the year. Other customers who purchase a service on Veterans Day will get a free haircut voucher to give to a vet (must be redeemed in the same time frame, and there's a limit of one per customer.)
Meineke Car Care Centers: Free oil changes. (Basic oil change only; advance booking at Meineke.com is recommended.)
Bed and Breakfasts: Around 500 bed and breakfasts and inns participating in the BandBsforVets.org program will offer free rooms for vets staying Nov. 10 or 11.
The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee: Free admission on Veterans Day as well as the weekend; also open to families.
Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia: Free admission Nov. 6 through Veterans Day to military families, their dependents and veterans.
Knott's Berry Farm: Free admission, with a spouse or guest, through Dec. 20; additional tickets may be purchased at a discount.