Restaurants Honor Military With Veteran's Day Promos

Veteran's Day has increasingly become an opportunity for restaurant promotions that recognize former and active service members.

While Nov. 11, which falls on Friday this year, has been observed as Armistice Day since the end of World War I in 1919, the growing number of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has heightened public awareness of military personnel.

Restaurants including Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Cracker Barrel, McCormick & Schmick's and Golden Corral, among others, are all honoring the day in different ways.

Applebee's, the 2,000-unit casual-dining chain based in Lenexa, Kan., has given away more than 2 million meals to U.S. veterans and military personnel over the past two years, and plans to continue the tradition this year.

The chain has also launched an initiative called the Thank You Movement to collect millions of thank-you messages from the public to veterans and active-duty military personnel.

The initiative's ambassador, country music star Rodney Atkins, launched the Thank You Movement at a concert in New York City's Times Square on Oct. 25.

Watch a commercial for Applebee's promotion; story continues on next page

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Other restaurants creating special promotions for U.S. veterans and active service members include:

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: The 608-unit family-dining chain will donate $1 from each sale of a special red, white and blue version of its signature peg game to the Wounded Warrior Project.

McCormick & Schmick's: The Portland, Ore.-based seafood chain will host its 13th annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, Nov. 13, offering a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée from a special McCormick & Schmick's menu at participating locations.

"We're proud to honor the men and women who have bravely served our country, and we enjoy providing them with VIP treatment and an opportunity to enjoy a great meal with friends and family on this special day," Bill Freeman, chief executive of McCormick & Schmick's, said in a statement.

Golden Corral: The Raleigh, N.C.-based buffet chain will offer a free dinner buffet from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a beverage to active-duty and retired U.S. military personnel on Monday, Nov. 14. The company has served nearly 3 million complimentary meals since it started its Military Appreciation Monday 10 years ago. It has also raised more than $5 million for the Disabled American Veterans nonprofit organization.

"We have 45,000 employees in 485 restaurants nationwide that are very passionate about supporting our military service men and women, and look forward to supporting Military Appreciation Monday annually," Ted Fowler, president and chief executive officer of Golden Corral, said.

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Giordano's Pizza: The 47-unit pizza chain on Veteran's Day will launch an ongoing 20-percent discount for veterans and active-duty military with valid military identification for any dine-in order. Giordano's has restaurants in Illinois and Florida.

Texas Roadhouse: The casual-dining chain will offer veterans and active-duty military members a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day.

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt: The 111-unit frozen-yogurt chain has teamed with AMillionThanks.org to encourage customers to write letters of thanks to active-duty military and veterans. Those who participate receive special offers at participating units of the Oklahoma City, Okla.-based chain.

Outback Steakhouse: Participating restaurants will offer a free Bloomin' Onion appetizer and soda to military veterans and active-duty personnel next Monday through Friday.

Hooters: On Friday, the Atlanta-based chain will offer a free order of 10 of its chicken wings to all veterans and active-duty military members with proof of service or military identification. Additionally, the restaurant will launch its Hooters Operation Calendar Drop, in which customers can buy a 2012 Hooters Calendar for a soldier and attach a note of support for their service. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial and other support for military families.

Contact Ron Ruggless at ronald.ruggless@penton.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless