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Advice & More November 2017

Dollar Sense

Discounts and Other Perks for Our Veterans on Veterans Day

By Teresa Ambord

A lot of businesses take it upon themselves to give a nod to military personnel with a discount on Veterans Day and some, more often.

Of course, there’s no way to repay or adequately thank those who have served our country in the military, or the families who muddled through without them while they served. But a lot of businesses take it upon themselves to give a nod to military personnel with a discount on Veterans Day and some, more often.

Thanks to a list provided mostly by Country Living Magazine, a site called bradsdeals.com, and other resources, here are dozens of restaurants, plus a few other businesses that take discounts for our veterans seriously.

Before you go, remember these points:

1. Unless otherwise stated, be aware that you’ll need to present valid military ID of present or former military service.

2. Also realize that some locations of each restaurant do not participate, so don’t depend on a discount unless it’s been verified. Some discounts are by state, and some vary by the franchise owner’s discretion. A quick call should do it.

3. Some of the discounts below are only on Veterans Day while others are any day or on certain days (for example, any Monday).

  • Applebee’s. Get a free entrée on Veterans Day.
  • A& W, discount varies.
  • Arby’s, discount varies.
  • Ben & Jerry’s: the discount varies by location, 15% to 25%.
  • Boston Market. No ID is required for activity duty and retired military personnel and their families to receive a free brownie or cookie with any purchase on Veterans Day.
  • Buffalo Wild Wings. Get a free small order or wings and a side of fries on Veterans Day.
  • Captain D’s. Not all locations participate, but those that do offer a 10% discount, and sometimes as much as 25%.
  • Carl’s Jr. Discount varies.
  • Chevy’s Fresh Mex gives a 20% discount if you wear your uniform or show a valid military ID.
  • Chick-Fil-A. Discount varies.
  • Chipotle’s give discounts to those in uniform, some as much as 50%. That’s a sure sign that Chipotle’s is proud to have military guests.
  • Cinnabon, 15% off.
  • Cold Stone Creamery. Discount varies.
  • Cracker Barrel. 10% to 15%, based on the manager’s discretion.
  • Dairy Queen. The discount varies by location, but at some places you can get up to 50% off.
  • Del Taco, 10% off at participating locations.
  • Denny’s. Participating locals offers 10% to 20% off. And the 24/7 breakfast chain usually offers Veterans Day specials as well.
  • El Pollo Loco, offers 15% discount at participating locations, and this extends also to police, firefighters, EMT, law enforcement, as well as military. Nice! They ask that you let your wait person know before you pay, and if you’re not in uniform, show your badge or official ID.
  • Famous Dave’s. 15% discount on Tuesdays. On Veterans Day, former and active military get a free entrée, and possibly a corn muffin and side dish. This is true at participating locations, so be sure to check.    
  • Golden Corral. On Veterans Day, anyone who’s served in the military qualifies for a free dinner. Other discounts may be available, depending on the location.
  • Hard Rock Café. 15% off your meal (alcohol excluded).
  • Hooters. Yes, we know why you really go to Hooters, but the food is good too. And, they are a good place to find specials on Veterans Day. And on any Monday you can get 10% off. There have been reports of some Hooters not offering discounts, so ask.
  • IHOP, some give hefty discounts every single day to military personnel. Ask!
  • Johnny Rockets. Up to 50% off.
  • Lone Star Steakhouse& Saloon. 20% off on Mondays, and 10% off on other days. That’s a sweet deal.
  • Longhorn Steakhouse offers 10% discount at participating locations.
  • Margaritaville Casinos offer 10%, and other retail discounts at participating locations on Veterans Day.
  • Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub. Active duty and retired military can get 10% off at participating locations.
  • O’Charley’s, veterans and active duty military get a 10% discount. And on Veterans Day, a full complimentary meal from a special menu, plus a 20% discount on the next visit.
  • Outback offers a 10% discount, but some Outbacks do not offer discounts. Outback has also been supportive of certain military reunions, a nice way to say thank you to our fine military members.
  • Papa Murphy’s. Participating locations will take up to 50% off one pizza.
  • Pizza Hut, discount varies.
  • Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen. 10% discount at participating locations.
  • Ruby Tuesday, active duty, veterans, and reserve military members can get a free appetizer on Veterans Day at all locations.
  • Scholotzsky’s Deli. Get a 10% to 30% off at participating locations.
  • Shoney’s. In 2017, on Memorial Day, active duty and retired military were each given free All-American Burger and fries. Will they do it again in 2018? Too soon to tell, but you can ask.
  • Subway. 10% off if not in a military town.
  • Texas Roadhouse. At participating locations, you can get up to a whopping 20% discount (in some places higher, even up to 50%).
  • Wendy’s, discount varies.
  • Zaxby’s gives a 10% discount at participating locations.

Want more? Here are a few other businesses that honor our military with discounts:

  • Cabelas gives a 5% discount.
  • Eddie Bauer, 15% off most merchandise (some promotions excluded).
  • Home Depot and Lowe’s also give military discounts, but not at every location.
  • Sam’s Club. With the purchase of a membership, active or retired military get a $15 gift card.

You can also check this website, https://www.bradsdeals.com/blog/military-discounts for a more exhaustive list of military discounts.

Don’t have a valid military ID? Go to a Veteran’s Outreach Center and take your military paperwork. You should be able to get an ID card. You may be able to go to the government website for the county you live in and get an ID.

 

Teresa Ambord is a former accountant and Enrolled Agent with the IRS. Now she writes full time from her home, mostly for business, and about family when the inspiration strikes.

Meet Teresa