On The Border, Shoney’s, Applebee’s, JJ’s offer Veterans Day freebies

On The Border, Shoney's, Applebee's and JJ's are among businesses offering Veterans Day freebies.

APPLEBEE'S

Expanding upon its six-year Veterans Day tradition of providing free meals to current and former servicemembers, this year Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar® will look to provide everyday household items like washers and dryers and medical equipment to veterans or active duty military and their families in need.

Applebee’s Thank You Movement is honored to partner with the community this year by asking friends, families and neighbors to submit stories at ThankYouMovement.com on behalf of veterans or active duty military and their families who need items that would help improve the lives of those who serve our country.

“We are thankful for the men and women who have served, and currently serve, to protect this great nation,” said Applebee’s President Steve Layt. “We’re excited to show our gratitude again this year by serving free meals to our military heroes on Veterans Day, and by partnering with our neighborhoods to help servicemembers in ways that will improve their everyday lives.”

Since creating the Thank You Movement in 2011 to collect messages of appreciation for each of the 24 million current and former members of our Armed Forces, Applebee’s has received more than 6.7 million personal “Thank You” messages through the movement’s website: www.thankyoumovement.com.

Visitors to ThankYouMovement.com can thank a veteran by writing a personal Thank You message to be posted in real time on the website. This year, the community can tell the story of a Veteran, active service member or military family in need by describing their situation, including their service and what household item might make their everyday live a little easier or more comfortable. Applebee’s will say thanks by fulfilling some of those needs.

On Veterans Day, veterans and active duty military can choose a dish from the FREE Thank You Meal menu that includes some of Applebee’s signature and favorite items. Guests will need to provide proof of service, which includes: U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform, DD214, Citation or Commendation. Offer is valid for dine-in only.

Visit www.applebees.com for more information.

JJ'S RED HOTS

JJ’s Red Hots is rolling out the “Red, White and You” carpet for Charlotte’s veterans and active duty military this Veterans Day, with an unlimited free meal and a Hot Dog created in America’s honor. JJ’s, the Charlotte-based Hot Dog King, is putting a no limits sign on its menu for our nation’s military all day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at its two area locations: Ballantyne and Dilworth.

JJ’s, whose Dog of the Week program has garnered national attention, has created a special “Red, White and You” Dog, featuring bacon, borracho beans, onions and house bbq sauce, but won’t limit the free offer to just that. Veterans and active duty military personnel can create the meal of their dreams, with unlimited hot dogs, sausages, sides and non-alcoholic drinks.

“Our veterans and troops’ efforts are limitless so we felt they deserved the same,” said JJ’s owner and co-founder Jonathan Luther. “We are honored to treat them to a free meal. It’s our not-so-small way of saying ‘Thanks” for all they do for our great country.”

JJ’s Veterans Eat Free initiative comes at a time while the brand is an impressive roll, having been recently honored by Fast Casual as one of 2014’s Top 50 restaurants in addition to cleaning house on all Charlotte lists as the city’s best Hot Dog. It was the smallest chain in the Fast Casual list and the only Hot Dog/Sausage concept to receive the honor.

“We’re grateful for our success and hold a special place in our hearts for our military guests,” said Brandy Newton, JJ’s director of marketing and brand development. “We look forward to honoring them and serving them on their special day.

ON THE BORDER

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® is saying “Thank You” more than 150 ways this Veterans Day, as all veterans and active duty military will receive, for FREE, OTB’s “Create Your Own Combo menu,” the restaurant’s best-seller featuring more than 150 possible meal combinations, on Nov. 11.

“It’s just an OTB way of saying thanks for your service, with a free meal full of great options,” said Ward Whitworth, president of On The Border. “We are proud to honor the more than 23 million veterans across our great nation. We welcome them at On The Border restaurants across the USA.”

To receive the free meal, guests will need to provide proof of military service, which include U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, DD214, Citation or Commendation.

The On The Border offer is valid at participating restaurants for dine-in only, limit one Create Your Own Combo dinner per veteran or active duty military. Beverages, desserts and gratuity are not included. For more information, guests are encouraged to call their local On The Border restaurant. For a list of participating On The Border restaurants, visit http://ontheborder.com/honorvets.

SHONEY'S

Nothing says “Thank You” like a great burger and Shoney’s will prove it again, as the iconic all-American restaurant brand will thank our nation’s veterans and troops with a FREE All-American Burger™ in what has become a beloved tradition on Veterans Day.

“Shoney’s always has been a ‘Welcome Home’ sign to America’s military,” said CEO David Davoudpour. “It’s one of our favorite days of the year as we get to honor our veterans and troops with a free burger as we thank those who protect our very freedom. Veterans, we salute you.”

Davoudpour says service members will be treated to Shoney’s Signature favorite All-American Burger, a fresh, never frozen, hand-pattied, grain-fed, 100% ground beef, cooked to order burger, served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles and mayonnaise.

“It’s the best burger on the planet named after the greatest country on earth,” said Davoudpour, “and has been a guest favorite for generations.”

Since acquiring the great American eatery in 2006, Davoudpour has been on a spirited mission to make Shoney’s better than ever, and return the icon to its Glory Days, when it became part of American popular culture as one of the first family casual dining concepts in the United States. Shoney’s served as a popular post-WWII family destination when it began serving guests 67 years ago. Davoudpour personally sees that an American flag flies proudly in front of his Shoney’s restaurants.

Shoney’s offer of a free All-American Burger to veterans and active duty military service members is available on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating restaurants while supplies last. There is a limit of one per day per military service member and the offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offers. Shoney’s military guests will need to provide proof of military service. Offer is valid for Dine-in only and beverage, tax and gratuity are not included.

Visit www.shoneys.com for more information on restaurant hours, locations and special offers.