Table of Contents
Active-duty service members, veterans, and military families: Veterans Day is your day, and local businesses are stepping up to show their appreciation. Across Fayetteville, Raeford, Spring Lake, Hope Mills, and nearby communities, restaurants and shops are offering free meals, discounts, and special offers to honor your service.
From breakfast specials to lunch and dinner deals, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Veterans Day while enjoying a meal or treat on the house. This guide compiles all the local offers in one place so you can easily plan your day and take advantage of the deals available for our military community.
A Brief History of Veterans Day
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, was first celebrated on November 11, 1919, to mark the first anniversary of the end of World War I. The armistice that ended the war went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, which is why the date was chosen.
In 1954, after honoring veterans of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day was officially renamed Veterans Day to recognize all U.S. military veterans, not just those who served in World War I. Today, it is a national holiday dedicated to honoring veterans, both living and deceased, for their service and sacrifice.
For more on Veterans Day history, check out:
Veterans Day Breakfast Offers
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
- Offer: Free Sunrise Pancake Special (dine-in)
- Location: 1470 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville
IHOP
- Offer: Free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo (7 a.m.–7 p.m., dine-in)
- Locations: 1935 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville; 7821 Good Middling Dr., Fayetteville; 1417 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake
Biggby Coffee
- Offer: 16‑oz beverage for $1.99
- Location: 180 Andrews Rd., Fayetteville
Circle K
- Offer: Free hot or iced medium coffee
- Location: Multiple Cumberland County locations
Starbucks
- Offer: Free 12‑oz hot or iced coffee for military and spouses
- Location: Multiple Cumberland County locations
Veterans Day Lunch & Dinner Offers (11 a.m.–4 p.m.)
Bubba 33’s
- Offer: Free lunch or voucher for future visit
- Location: 500 Westwood Shopping Ctr., Fayetteville
Firehouse Subs
- Offer: Free medium sub with purchase of medium/large sub + chips & drink
- Locations: 1445 Walter Reed Rd.; 300 Glensford Dr.; 5590 Camden Rd., Fayetteville
Dank Burrito
- Offer: Free chips & queso
- Locations: 5508 Raeford Rd.; 1625 Jim Johnson Rd., Fayetteville
Jagger’s
- Offer: Free regular-sized combo meal (entrée, drink & side)
- Location: 515 McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville
Mission BBQ
- Offer: Free sandwich
- Location: 1932 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville
MOD Pizza
- Offer: 50% off mid-size pizza or salad for veterans, active-duty, and spouses
- Location: 1950 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville
Applebee’s
- Offer: Complimentary entrée from select menu + $5 coupon
- Locations: 1961 Skibo Rd.; 5225 Ramsey St.; 7810 Good Middling Dr., Fayetteville
Anstead Tobacco Company
- Offer: Cigar, doughnut, coffee for $1
- Location: 320 N. McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
- Offer: Free burger with side (dine-in)
- Location: 1800 Skibo Rd., Suite 332, Fayetteville
Bonefish Grill
- Offer: Complimentary Bang Bang Shrimp + soft drink
- Location: 210 Glensford Dr., Fayetteville
Buffalo Wild Wings
- Offer: 10 free boneless wings & fries
- Locations: 2097 Skibo Rd.; 3602 Gruber Rd., Fort Bragg
Carolina Ale House
- Offer: Free half-rack rib platter (dine-in)
- Location: 161 Glensford Dr., Fayetteville
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
- Offer: Free appetizer or dessert with free non-alcoholic beverage (dine-in)
- Location: 4209 Sycamore Dairy Rd., Fayetteville
Chili’s Grill & Bar
- Offer: Free entrée from limited menu (dine-in)
- Location: 635 Cross Creek Mall, Fayetteville
Golden Corral
- Offer: Free dine-in meal (4 p.m.–close)
- Location: 1806 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville
Hooters
- Offer: Free entrée from special menu with beverage purchase (dine-in)
- Location: 501 N. McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville
Logan’s Roadhouse
- Offer: Free meal from select menu (11 a.m.–3 p.m., dine-in)
- Location: 1490 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville
Main Event
- Offer: Free double cheeseburger with fries + 30 min of game play
- Location: 580 Cross Creek Mall, Fayetteville
Olive Garden
- Offer: Free entrée from special menu (dine-in)
- Location: 224 N. McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville
Outback Steakhouse
- Offer: Free Bloomin’ Onion + drink with adult entrée (dine-in)
- Location: 505 N. McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville
Red Lobster
- Offer: Free Veteran’s Shrimp & Chip meal (dine-in)
- Location: 533 N. McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville
Red Robin
- Offer: Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger (dine-in)
- Location: 501 Cross Creek Mall, Fayetteville
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
- Offer: Free combo meal card usable through Dec 31
- Locations: 2860 Hope Mills Rd.; 4825 Ramsey St., Fayetteville
World of Beer Bar & Kitchen
- Offer: Free two-piece Smash Burger Sliders with fries (dine-in)
- Location: 1944 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville
Veterans Day Non-Food Offers
Sheetz
- Offer: Free $9 car wash with purchase (includes half turkey sub + regular fountain drink)
- Location: Multiple Cumberland County locations
Anstead Tobacco Company
- Offer: Cigar, doughnut, and coffee for $1
Proof of Military Service
Most companies require some form of military ID or proof of military service:
- Military ID Card (active/reserve/retired)
- VA-issued Veterans ID Card or VA Health Care ID card
- Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
- Driver’s License with Veterans Designation
- Photograph in uniform (if your service permits)
- Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion, VFW)
- DD214, other discharge paperwork, or another form of identification
Some restaurants and businesses may operate on the honor system, but it’s always best to bring something official just in case.
Tip Like a True Military Family
Even when your meal is free, the servers are still working hard. The military way is to tip generously — 15–20% minimum — to show gratitude. Your kindness makes a big difference to hardworking staff.
Celebrate Your Service and Explore Local Opportunities
Veterans Day is a time to honor your service and reflect on the community around you. Whether you’re enjoying a meal today in Fayetteville, Raeford, Spring Lake, Hope Mills, or nearby areas, there are ways to continue benefiting from your service every day.
If you’re a veteran or active-duty service member, VA loans are a valuable resource that can help you secure a home for you and your family. Learning about these benefits and exploring the neighborhoods around Fort Bragg can open doors to a brighter future.
For more information:
- Discover VA loan benefits and eligibility
- Read helpful tips and local guides on my VA Loan Blog
- Explore Fayetteville and surrounding communities
Veterans Day is more than a meal—it’s an opportunity to celebrate your service and take steps toward the next chapter in your life.
