--- title: "Applebee's® Restaurants Nationwide to Serve Free Meals in Honor of Veterans Day" url: https://burnaze.com/article/53a5ea18-cd2e-458d-9c9b-3cb12bda12c4 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20191104_applebeesreg_restaurants_nationwide_to_serve_free_.html category: "Casual dining" industry: "Restaurants" segment: "Casual dining" published: 2019-11-04T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T02:36:53.101Z image: https://imgs.franchising.com/brands/social/applebees.jpg --- # Applebee's® Restaurants Nationwide to Serve Free Meals in Honor of Veterans Day **TL;DR:** Applebee's is offering free meals to veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day as part of its 12th consecutive year of honoring military heroes. The free meals will be available at over 1,650 Applebee's locations nationwide. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2019-11-04. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20191104_applebeesreg_restaurants_nationwide_to_serve_free_.html).* ## Story Since 2008, Applebee’s restaurants across the country have opened their doors and welcomed veterans and active-duty military, serving them millions of free meals in honor of their service. Veterans and active-duty military can choose their free meal from an exclusive menu of seven delicious entrées, including: - Classic Bacon Cheeseburger - 6 oz. USDA Select Top Sirloin - Chicken Tenders Platter - Double Crunch Shrimp - Fiesta Lime Chicken - Oriental Chicken Salad - Three-Cheese Chicken Penne “This Veterans Day we invite our veterans and active-duty military to visit their local Applebee’s restaurant to enjoy a free meal on us,” said John Cywinski, president at Applebee’s. “This is our 12th consecutive year of honoring those who have served our country in this way, and we’re proud to be able to do so in all of our Applebee’s neighborhoods nationwide.” In addition to serving free meals to those who have served, the Applebee’s family shows its gratitude towards our American heroes by offering veteran employment recruiting programs, sending essential items to active military service members overseas, delighting hometown heroes with recognition parties and Applebee’s gift cards, and partnering with organizations to repair or build homes for veterans in need. Complimentary meals from the Veterans Day menu will be available for dine-in only at more than 1,650 Applebee's locations nationwide. For more information, please visit applebees.com/vetsday. Hours vary by location, and guests are encouraged to call their local Applebee's restaurant in advance to inquire about specific location hours. Offer valid on Monday November 11, 2019 at participating Applebee’s restaurants. Item selection and participation may vary. Dine-in only. Not valid with other coupons or discounts. Beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active-duty military simply show proof of military service. Proof of service includes: U.S. Uniformed Services ID Card, U. S. Uniformed Services Retired ID Card, current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (i.e. , American Legion, VFW), photograph of yourself in uniform, wearing uniform, DD214 and citation or commendation. Limit one (1) meal per veteran or active-duty military. Hours vary by location, so guests should call their local Applebee's restaurant in advance to inquire about specific location hours. As one of the world’s largest casual dining brands, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar serves as America’s kitchen table, offering guests a lively dining experience that combines simple, craveable American fare with classic drinks and local drafts. Applebee's restaurants are owned and operated by entrepreneurs dedicated to more than serving great food, but also building up the communities that we call home. From raising money for local charities to hosting community fundraisers, Applebee’s is always Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood. As of September 30, 2019, there were 1,804 franchise and company-owned restaurants in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 13 other countries. Applebee's is franchised by subsidiaries of Dine Brands Global Inc. [NYSE: DIN], which is one of the world's largest full-service restaurant companies. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - Restaurants (sector) - Applebee's (company) - Dine Brands Global (company) - restaurant promotion (topic) - VFW (company) - veterans day (topic) - John Cywinski (person) - free meals (topic) - military heroes (topic) - Dine Brands Global acquisition of Applebee's (deal) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20191104_applebeesreg_restaurants_nationwide_to_serve_free_.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/53a5ea18-cd2e-458d-9c9b-3cb12bda12c4).