Starting this weekend, restaurants across the country are honoring veterans for their service with special offers.
The first to raise the flag is McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants, which on Sunday will host its annual Veterans Appreciation Event, an 11-year tradition. U.S. military veterans with proper identification will receive a free entree at lunch or dinner at participating locations within the 87-unit chain.
The event is being held on a weekend day to allow service members to bring their families, officials said.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar is inviting veterans and active-duty members of the military in on Wednesday, the day of the national holiday, for a free entree among six menu favorites at any of the chain’s 1,994 locations.
Julia Stewart, chief executive of parent company DineEquity, said the Veterans Day promotion is expected to result in record traffic for the casual-dining chain.
Last year, Applebee's tested the freebie offer at a limited number of restaurants. The response was so positive, the entire chain is participating this year, the company said.
At Outback Steakhouse restaurants across the country, veterans on Wednesday will receive a free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and a beverage of choice, either a non-alcoholic drink or one draft Anheuser-Busch beer.
The 530-unit Krispy Kreme chain is giving veterans and active-duty military a free doughnut of their choice on Wednesday at any U.S. location.
Uno Chicago Grill is offering veterans a free entree or a pizza with the purchase of another entree or pizza Wednesday at any of its 200 locations. Showing up in uniform, or guests who show a photo of themselves in uniform, will be enough to receive the offer.
For July 4 this year, Uno sent 28,000 deep-dish pizzas to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for the world’s largest pizza party, said Frank Guidara, Uno chief executive.
“This builds upon our existing support of our nation’s men and women in uniform, and we’re delighted to show them our appreciation,” he said.
Domino’s Pizza is offering local VFW Halls the chance to win a catered pizza party on Wednesday. The chain invited veterans to e-mail why they deserved a catered party in 150 words or less. The top five VFW Halls with the most compelling stories will win their own party, valued at $100.
Golden Corral is hosting its ninth annual Military Appreciation Day on Nov. 16, to avoid conflict with others Veterans Day events. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at all 485 locations nationwide. Anyone who has served in the U.S. military, National Guard or Reserves is invited for a free buffet dinner.
Over the years, Golden Corral has provided about 2.2 million free meals to veterans and contributed more than $3.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization, the company said.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected] .
