Thanksgiving comes early every year for U.S. military veterans in the form of Veterans Day discounts. We just have to be proactive enough to get them. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

The flood of free food and drinks from chain restaurants across the United States has over time spread to gas stations, fast food franchises and even grocery stores. Even if a vet spent the entirety of Veterans Day taking advantage of every Tactical Thanksgiving offer, it would be nearly impossible.

Almost.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't try the feat, or at least exploit it as much as possible. (Corporate) America is calling us. Will we abandon them?

Read more: Free meals and restaurant offers and discounts for Veterans Day

What you should know about Veterans Day food deals

Don't forget that in many cases you can pre-order, take it to go, or drive curbside and have the deliciousness come to you in minutes. You should call ahead and make sure the giveaways are still being given away. If so, place your order and start designing your very own door.

When you set out into the world, you should make the most of it. But to truly maximize your free food day, it's important to gather information, plan accordingly, and be intentional.

When creating this plan, we considered a few important factors. First, let’s just focus on the free offers. Then we think about the timing. What can be redeemed on another day, when are these locations open, and what can be picked up reasonably quickly? We also want to know which offers are the most filling so that we don't get full too quickly.

If you're considering takeout, perhaps pack a cooler, since taking the food home initially requires time that you don't have. And we recommend eating some things as quickly as possible: Pancakes' returns are diminishing, and grilled cheese is the one food that will eventually become a spoonful of its own.

Finally, there are a few alternative pieces for those who don't want to drive all over town but still want some good stuff.

Do you have all of this? Good. Now let’s move on to our Veterans Day timeline.

Breakfast(s) of champions

Some breakfast restaurants have great deals. Denny's is offering a Build Your Own Grand Slam starting at 5 a.m. Wendy's and Village Inn are both giving away breakfast combos.

Starting at 7 a.m., veterans and active military members can get a free red, white and blueberry pancake combo at IHOP. A little later, starting at 7:30 a.m., Biscuit Belly will give patrons a bacon and cheese egg, a sausage egg and cheese or a chicken and biscuit sandwich along with a free drink.

Another Broken Egg Café offers Patriot French toast and coffee for guests. At White Castle, you will receive a free custom meal combo or breakfast combo meal when you dine at a participating restaurant.

All this driving around requires caffeine. Coffee lovers can get a free drink at participating Peet's Coffee locations or Starbucks or Casey's General stores. Free coffee and free sweet pastries on offer from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Kolache Factory.

Related: Veterans Day 2024 Deals, Discounts and Freebies

Do you prefer something to take away in the morning? Bakers Square offers a free grab-and-go breakfast. Speaking of takeout, before you head out for lunch, check out places where you can grab a good takeout deal and save it for later. A Chili 5-Way at Gold Star Chili can be picked up at the drive-thru. Another grab-and-go option is Hacienda Mexican Restaurant's Large Wet Burrito.

A lunch too far

At lunch the plan begins to become more complex. Veterans who didn't want to get up early will now find the pipes clogging up, making it difficult to leave quickly. There are many time-critical offers from 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

TGI Fridays offers a special free lunch menu until 3 p.m. and Texas Roadhouse offers either a free meal or meal vouchers that can be redeemed on other days. Sizzler cooks for the vets until 4 p.m.

And if you're a fan of chicken wings, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering 10 of them for free to you. And Hooters is offering veterans a free meal from a limited menu. If these don't satisfy your chicken cravings, stop by Chicken Salad Chick or pick up some Crispy Chicken Sliders from WOB Bar & Kitchen.

Lion's Choice offers a roast beef sandwich, or you can get a “We Salute You” pulled pork sandwich or a Strawberry Fields salad at Rock and Brews. Famous Dave's also offers free pork sandwiches, whether eaten in or taken out.

Soup for you? That's what's on the menu at Hoss's Steak and Sea House, where veterans get free soup as well as salad, bread, nacho, dessert bar and iced tea for dinner only.

Chili's and Applebee's offer vet-free meals from a limited menu, but also offer cocktails to go. The cocktails aren't free, but they help tone down the mood. The best part is that these places have bar seating, so you aren't subject to the whims of the hostess.

At Carrabba's you can enjoy a free appetizer or dessert paired with a free non-alcoholic beverage.

Thank you for your (dinner) service

Now that you're past most of the busy chain restaurants, you have a few options for dinner.

California Pizza Kitchen offers an appetizer and drink from a special menu. Italian comfort food lovers can fill their stomachs with a spaghetti dinner from Fazoli's.

Burgers are always in demand and are available at many places, including In-N-Out Burger (along with fries and a drink). At Red Robin, another popular option, veterans and active duty military can enjoy a Red's Big Tavern Burger along with a Bottomless Side. Need more options? Try a free Big Cheese Burger at participating Farmer Boys; a free burger (or sandwich) at Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant; or an American Smashed Burger or Ruby's Cheeseburger at Ruby Tuesday.

To maintain the free meal train, you can get a meal card from Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, valid for a combo meal any time through the end of 2024.

Do you have a preference for sweets? At BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, restaurant veterans will receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with no minimum purchase and a coupon for a free appetizer if you return by the end of the year.

Finally, the popular Golden Corral will host its Military Appreciation Night on November 11, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to close. This includes a free “thank you” meal when dining on site.

Bon appetit. You deserve it.

— Blake Stilwell can be reached at [email protected]. He can also be found on Facebook, Xor on LinkedIn.

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