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A load of tasty restaurant LTOs tell veterans 'Thanks'

It's quite a week to be an American with tomorrow's presidential election and Friday's celebration of Veterans Day. Many restaurant brands are playing up this patriotic time with special promotions to honor both days.

November 9, 2016 by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

It's quite a week to be an American with Tuesday's national presidential election and Friday's celebration of Veterans Day. Many restaurant brands are offering an array of promotions that both connect their brands with all that is good about this nation, while also hoping to drive in a little extra business. For Veteran's Day this Friday, many chains are reaching out to say thanks, often with a secondary goal of connecting the brand with all things good about our nation.

• California Pizza Kitchen gives former and current service members a free entree Friday. All veterans and active military with proof of service can select from a special menu of entrees, including pizzas, entree salads and pastas. 
• Krystal offers free breakfast item. To kick off the day of honor for veterans, Krystal locations will give a free breakfast sausage biscuit to all individuals who present a military ID.
• Baskin-Robbins serves camouflage scoops. This ice cream-centered brand is doing a little fundraising on Veterans Day, by donating 11 cents from each scoop sold Friday to the United Service Organizations. The chain is also offering an LTO for the veterans stopping by Friday with its First Class Camouflage flavor's return to the menu, featuring chocolate, salty caramel and cake-flavored ice cream in a green, brown and tan camouflage waffle cone. 
• Back Yard Burgers giving free burgers. Service members, both former and current, get a free Back Yard classic burger on Friday, as long as they are either in uniform or equipped with a military ID.
• Wayback Burgers gives veterans a free classic cheeseburger with purchase. Veterans who purchase any side and drink at these locations Friday, get a free classic cheeseburger.
• Rapid Fired Pizza gives free pizza to active duty and veterans. Show an ID here on Friday or wear your uniform and get a free pizza here.
• Chicken Salad Chick offering a free Original Chick.  Veterans who present proof of service in the form of an ID Card will receive one sandwich or scoop of their choice of chicken salad, one side, a pickle spear, cookie and a drink.
• White Castle's offers free meals:All past and current members of the U.S. military will receive a free combo meal or any breakfast combo meal on Nov. 11 at participating White Castle restaurants. 
• Buffalo Wild Wings puts wings and fries on the side:The chain's U.S. locations will provide a complimentary order of wings and a side of fries to veterans and active duty military to thank them on Nov. 11.
• Billy Sims’ gives meal and collector's cup: Billy Sims' Barbecue restaurants nationwide will be giving away a free pulled pork, a regular side and a collector’s cup to veterans and active duty service people in honor of Veteran’s Day.
• Uncle Maddio’s gives away free 9-inch, three-topping pizzas: Each veteran or active service member in uniform or with a valid military ID can claim one of Uncle's free pies Friday. 
• Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza gives free meatballs with ricotta cheese Friday: Aside from this offer to all active or former United States Armed Forces personnel, this restaurant will also drop off complimentary lunches to Veterans of Foreign Wars Centers in the brand's regions throughout Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
• sweetFrog Enterprises will provide a free 12-ounce cup of frozen yogurt to all service members with a valid military ID. This month the chain has also slashed start-up costs to help vets launch their franchise locations of the chain, while also offering in-store discounts.
• Little Caesars Pizza gives veterans free lunch:All United States Armed Forces veterans and active military can get a free $5 Hot-n-Ready lunch combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. 
• Dickey's Barbecue Pit is giving all veterans and active duty members a free sandwich and side, with Big Yellow Cups for the whole group from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Veterans Day. Their loved ones can also nominate them to win a free family pack every month for a year, along with a Pit Master Pack by going on social media and telling why they most deserve the prize with the hashtag #BigYellowCup. 
• Menchie’s is giving the day's honored guests six ounces free: Today, with an ID, veterans and active military get a nice cool and creamy six-ounce serving of the  frozen yogurt flavor of their choice to remind you how much our nation appreciates all those who have served.

Of course, the previous listings are not comprehensive, but do stand to represent the kinds of innovative and generous offerings restaurateurs everywhere are making this pivotal week in our history. And as for our service men and women, all the chains mentioned above expressed sincere thanks, much as stated so aptly by Krystal Marketing Vice President Alice Crowder in a news release.

"Every new day that starts in America is due to the soldiers who fought to make it so. This is a small way of expressing our thanks," she said.

About S.A. Whitehead

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Pizza Marketplace and QSRweb editor Shelly Whitehead is a former newspaper and TV reporter with an affinity for telling stories about the people and innovative thinking behind great brands.