Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Applebee's has given veterans and active-duty service members a free entrée on that date for years, and it hasn't announced this year's offer yet.
Here's how last year's offer worked, so you know what to expect and what to bring. Applebee's publishes the year's menu and rules on its own site, usually in late October or early November.
Updated .
One full-size entrée from a set Veterans Day menu, free, dine-in only, on November 11. Drinks and gratuity weren't included, and it was one meal per person.
| Entrée | Worth knowing |
|---|---|
| Classic Bacon Cheeseburger | With fries. The most ordered pick of the list. |
| 6 oz. Top Sirloin | The leanest option, and the one to take if you want protein over volume. |
| Chicken Tenders | Breaded tenders with fries and coleslaw. |
| Double Crunch Shrimp | Fried shrimp with cocktail sauce, fries and slaw. |
| Fiesta Lime Chicken | Grilled chicken with Mexi-ranch, rice and tortilla strips. |
| Oriental Chicken Salad | Ask for it grilled rather than crispy and it drops about 660 calories. |
| Three-Cheese Chicken Penne | The heaviest of the group, and the most protein. |
Applebee's can change the list from one year to the next, so treat this as the shape of the offer rather than a promise. Prices and calories for all of these are on the full menu.
Veterans, active-duty military, reserves and National Guard. You'll be asked for proof of service at the table, and in past years any of these has been accepted:
Last year qualifying guests also left with a $5 card to use on a future visit. That part has come and gone over the years, so don't count on it.
Almost every Applebee's is run by a franchise owner, and each one decides whether to take part. A two-minute call to your nearest restaurant settles it.
Veterans Day is one of the busiest dine-in days of the year. Lunch right at open, or after 8 PM, means a table instead of a wait. Check opening hours for your restaurant.
The free meal hasn't applied to Carside To Go or delivery in past years, and a drink isn't included.
The free entrée covers one person. If someone is eating with you, the $9.99 Really BIG Meal Deal is the cheapest full meal on the menu.
Applebee's has given veterans and active-duty service members a free entrée on November 11 for years, and it hasn't announced the 2026 offer yet. Last year's ran on Veterans Day itself, dine-in only, at participating restaurants.
In 2025 the free meal came from a set Veterans Day menu: Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, 6 oz. Top Sirloin, Chicken Tenders, Double Crunch Shrimp, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Oriental Chicken Salad or Three-Cheese Chicken Penne. Drinks and gratuity were not included.
Veterans, active-duty military, reserves and National Guard. In past years it has been one free meal per person, with proof of service, at participating restaurants.
A U.S. Uniformed Services ID or retired ID card, a current Leave and Earnings Statement, a veterans organization card such as American Legion or VFW, a DD214, a citation or commendation, or a photo of yourself in uniform.
Not in past years. The offer has been dine-in only. Call your restaurant before you drive over, because participation is decided by the franchisee.
There's no national everyday military discount. Some franchisees run their own, so it's worth asking at your local restaurant.