Veterans Day brings several opportunities for a complimentary meal, coffee or practical service around the Grand Traverse area on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

This guide gathers current published offers useful to Cherry Buzz readers, with local addresses where verified and the restrictions that matter before leaving home.

A national announcement does not confirm every franchise’s participation.

Check with the specific business before traveling; this is a researched roundup, not a guarantee that every local offer has been found.

Restaurant meals and pizza

Applebee’s, 2384 U.S. 31 South, Traverse City: Veterans, active-duty military, Reserves and National Guard members can receive one complimentary full-size entrée from the special Veterans Day menu when dining in at participating restaurants.

Proof of service is required; beverages and gratuity are excluded.

Eligible diners also receive a $5 card for a later visit, subject to its separate redemption terms; call the Traverse City restaurant at 231-929-2929.

Sources: Applebee’s 2026 offer and Applebee’s Traverse City.

Bob Evans, 1964 U.S. 31 North, Traverse City: The company’s 2026 announcement offers veterans and active-duty military one free entrée from an 11-item menu all day, dine-in only, with proof of service.

Choices span breakfast and dinner, including hotcakes, French toast, country-fried steak and turkey with dressing; ask about the separate thank-you offer for a future visit.

The local restaurant number is 231-938-1005.

Sources: Bob Evans Veterans Day menu and Bob Evans Traverse City.

Denny’s, 878 Munson Avenue, Traverse City: The VA’s 2026 roundup lists a free Original Grand Slam for veterans and active-duty military from 5 a.m. to noon, dine-in only, with identification.

Confirm that this location is participating and when it opens before planning an early breakfast.

Sources: VA’s 2026 guide and Denny’s Traverse City.

Red Lobster, 2691 North U.S. 31 South, Traverse City: The VA’s 2026 guide lists a complimentary Shrimp & Chips meal for veterans, active-duty military and reservists on November 11, dine-in only, with identification.

Call 231-933-8741 to confirm local participation and any serving-time restrictions.

Sources: VA’s 2026 guide and Red Lobster Traverse City.

Little Caesars: Participating stores offer veterans and active-duty military a free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo, consisting of four slices of Detroit-style deep-dish pepperoni pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi product.

The November 11 window is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, while supplies last; order in person, mention the offer and present proof of service.

Orders must be placed by 2 p.m.; being in line at the cutoff does not extend the promotion.

One local option to check is 104 Northland Plaza Road, Suite A, Kalkaska, 231-258-4404; local participation remains unconfirmed.

Sources: Little Caesars’ 2026 terms and Kalkaska dining directory.

Coffee and a local Veterans Day gathering

Starbucks: Veterans, military service members and military spouses can receive one free tall, 12-ounce hot or iced brewed coffee at participating U.S. stores on November 11.

Order in the café or drive-through; cold brew, Nitro and beverage customizations are excluded.

The Starbucks café inside Target at 3130 South Airport Road West is a verified local location, but its participation is not confirmed; call 231-947-2992 before visiting.

Sources: Starbucks’ 2026 offer and Target’s local café.

BIGGBY COFFEE: Its November 4 announcement offers veterans and active-duty military a free 16-ounce hot or iced brewed coffee on Veterans Day.

Ask your local shop about participation, identification and hours; this announced offer is brewed coffee, not a free specialty latte.

Source: BIGGBY’s November announcement.

Nolan’s Cigar Bar, 336 East Front Street, Traverse City: Its November 11 event runs noon to 10 p.m., with each veteran offered one Nolan’s House Handmade cigar and one draught beer or well-liquor drink.

The offer is courtesy of Nolan’s and Matt Hodges of Kultura Real Estate; the advertised music and toast begin at 2 p.m.

Source: Nolan’s local event.

Haircuts, outdoor admission and practical help

Great Clips: Veterans and active military can visit a U.S. salon November 11 for a free haircut or a card redeemable through December 4, 2026.

The East Bay Plaza salon at 748 Munson Avenue, Traverse City, explicitly describes its participation in the annual Thank a Veteran program.

Sources: Great Clips’ 2026 announcement and East Bay Plaza salon.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: November 11 is listed as an entrance-fee-free day for U.S. citizens and residents, so accompanying eligible family members can benefit too.

Other charges, such as reservation fees, may still apply; veterans and Gold Star families can also ask about the free Military Lifetime Pass.

Source: Sleeping Bear Dunes fees and passes.

NMC invites veterans for coffee and doughnuts in the Osterlin Building at 8 a.m., before its 8:30 a.m. flag raising.

The Woodmere library also hosts a free veterans’ wills and powers-of-attorney clinic noon–5 p.m., with final intake at 4 p.m.; bring photo identification and proof of service.

Sources: NMC’s Veterans Day announcement and Library clinic listing.

A separate Sunday dinner

A community calendar lists a complimentary veterans’ dinner Sunday, November 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 625 Bay Street, Traverse City.

Guests pay $15 each; call 231-946-6171 to confirm arrangements.

Source: Community dinner listing.

Bring proof of service, ask what your offer includes and confirm participation before ordering.

This roundup was checked November 7; I cannot confirm unannounced local promotions or promise that this is every offer across the readership area.