Free Meals for Veterans

With patriotism at the top of their menus, many major names in casual and family dining will be offering free food to veterans — from doughnuts to pancakes to pizza to entire meals — this Sunday on Veterans Day, or the day before or after.

With some celebrating Veterans Day on Monday, it fills up seats on what is traditionally the industry's slowest day of the week. If a vet shows up with a party of four – or more – it's a slam-dunk winner for the restaurant, even if the vet doesn't pay for anything he eats, says consultant Linda Lipsky.

Most freebies are available to active, inactive and retired military. Here's some of the free food on tap:

? Doughnuts. Krispy Kreme will hand out free doughnuts (and free small coffee) to vets on Sunday. Vets can choose from a dozen varieties.

? Pizza. California Pizza Kitchen offers free pizza and non-alcoholic beverage on Sunday or Monday. "Our headline for this promotion: 'Your Service Deserves Ours,' " says CEO G.J. Hart.

? Pancakes. Denny's doles out all-you-can-eat pancakes to vets on Monday "to highlight our loyalty to such a key demographic," says marketing chief Frances Allen.

? Wings. Hooters offers vets 10 free boneless wings on Sunday, but only if you purchase a drink, too.

? Bagels. Einstein Bros Bagels gives out free Signature or Classic bagels to vets on Sunday.

? Appetizers. Red Lobster on Sunday gives out free appetizers — even Lobster Pizza. Outback has free Bloomin' Onion appetizers and soft drinks on Sunday and Monday.

? Meals. T.G.I. Friday's lets vets pick any lunch item from the menu for free on Monday. Free meals for vets are available Sunday at Olive Garden, Applebee's, McCormick &Schmick's and Chili's; and Monday at Golden Corral.