Memorial Day in the United States is a federal holiday honouring and mourning the US military personnel who died in the course of carrying out their duties. To mark this occasion, many brands and retailers offer promotional freebies, discounts, and special deals. While these offers are primarily available within the United States, UK consumers interested in international promotions or those with US-based contacts may find the information relevant. This article details the types of freebies and offers reported for Memorial Day, based on available source data, focusing on promotional structures, eligibility criteria, and redemption processes.
The information provided is based on compiled reports for the 2025 and 2026 Memorial Day periods. It is essential to note that participation, specific terms, and availability can change annually and vary by location. Consumers are advised to verify all details directly with the official brand or retailer before making any plans, as many sources include disclaimers recommending confirmation of participation.
Types of Memorial Day Offers
Memorial Day promotions typically fall into several categories, including restaurant freebies, retail discounts, and special giveaways. These offers are often targeted at military personnel, veterans, and their families, though some are available to the general public. The following sections outline the reported offers based on the source data.
Restaurant and Food Service Freebies
Several restaurant chains and food service providers offer complimentary items or significant discounts during the Memorial Day weekend. These promotions often require proof of military service, such as a military ID, or participation in a loyalty programme.
- 7-Eleven: Reports indicate various promotional structures. For 2026, $2 snack deals and loyalty member meal deals are mentioned, including a $4 meal deal with a value grill item, chips, and a drink. For 2025, a $20 discount on delivery orders over $30 via the 7NOW app with a specific promo code is noted, alongside whole pizzas for $6.99. Another source mentions a $10 discount on orders exceeding $20 for subscribers of the 7NOW Gold Pass delivery subscription, which also includes a free pizza per day. A free Summer Sprinkle Donut and Peace Tea Caddy Shack Slurpee are also listed for a limited time.
- Applebee’s: For 2025, an All-You-Can-Eat Memorial Day special for dine-in guests was reported. This included Chicken Tenders, Double Crunch Shrimp, or Riblets for $15.99, accompanied by coleslaw and endless fries, available over the Memorial Day weekend (23rd–26th May 2025).
- Bubbakoo’s Burritos: For 2025, free delivery with no minimum purchase on online or in-app orders was reported for the Memorial Day weekend (23rd–26th May 2025).
- Burger King: Offers for 2025 included a buy-one-get-one free Whopper on Memorial Day (26th May 2025) as part of a Perks Week celebration. Additionally, Royal Perks members could receive a free Whopper Jr. daily from 23rd to 26th May 2025, a free Frozen Fanta Strawberry on 24th May 2025, and free Chicken Nuggets on 25th May 2025.
- Denny’s: For 2025, a breakfast promotion was available through 8th June 2025, offering a second plate for $1 when purchasing an Original Grand Slam Breakfast or All-American Slam Breakfast. Furthermore, from 23rd to 25th May 2025, $10 off an order of $30 or more online at dennys.com was offered.
- Logan’s Roadhouse: Reported to offer a free meal for active duty military personnel and veterans.
- McCormick & Schmick’s: Reported to offer a free entrée for veterans, active duty personnel, and Gold Star honorees.
- Tim Hortons: Likely to offer club members an in-app buy-one-get-one free breakfast sandwich with free delivery during the period.
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Reported to offer free delivery during the Memorial Day weekend.
- Wendy’s: Rewards members could get a free kids’ meal with a premium combo purchase and a free drink any size with purchase using an in-app offer.
- Tijuana Flats: Expected to offer a freebie with a catering order deal.
- Which Wich: Likely to offer a discount on catering orders.
- White Castle: Offered $3 off any Crave Clutch of 20 Sliders (using code CLUTCHDEAL for online orders) from 25th–27th May.
- Wienerschnitzel: Offered a deal of two chili dogs, two corn dogs, and chili cheese fries for $8 with a coupon.
Retail and Shopping Discounts
Retailers often provide discounts, particularly to military personnel and their families. These offers typically require verification through a military ID or similar documentation.
- Home Depot: Reported to offer 10% off on Memorial Day with a verified military ID.
- Jiffy Lube: Offers 15% off for all services year-round for military personnel.
- Kohl’s: Provides 15% off every Monday in May for military personnel and their families with a verified military ID.
- Levi’s: Offers 15% off with a verified military ID.
- Moosejaw: Offers 20% off full-priced items with a verified military ID.
- The North Face: Offers 10% off orders for military personnel, their spouses, and dependents.
- Oakley: Offers 50% off select products.
- Sherwin-Williams: Offers 15% off for military personnel and their spouses with a verified military ID.
- T-Mobile: Offers 50% off Magenta rate family lines for military personnel and their families.
- Under Armour: Offers 15% off purchases on Memorial Day, with special Veterans dedicated items also available.
- Vineyard Vines: Offers 15% off most products with a verified military ID.
- Zappos: Offers 10% off entire orders for military personnel.
- Bonefish Grill: Offers a year-round Heroes Discount of 10% off for service members, veterans, and first responders.
- Walgreens: From 24th to 27th May, customers with a myWalgreens membership and valid military ID or proof of service received 20% off regularly priced products at Walgreens or Duane Reade drugstores. The myWalgreens membership is free and can be obtained at checkout. Exclusions and restrictions apply.
- Ace Hardware: Reported to give away free American flags. One source specifically mentions a 1 million free flag giveaway on 24th May.
Giveaways and Special Programmes
Some offers involve giveaways or special programmes, sometimes requiring specific actions like signing up or placing an order.
- Build a Sign: Reported to offer a FREE Welcome Home Banner for troops.
- Crayola: Offers free Memorial Day colouring pages.
- Crown Royal: Reported to offer a FREE Military Care Package for the troops.
- JCPenney: Reported to offer a FREE 8×10 for military families.
- Blue Star Museums: Offers free admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Blue Star Theatres: Offers free admission and discounted admission.
- National Parks: Offers a FREE lifetime Military Pass for Gold Star Families and veterans.
- Camp Corral: Offers a FREE summer camp for children of wounded, ill, or fallen service members.
- Busch Gardens, Sea World, and Sesame Place: Offer free admission tickets and discounts for military personnel.
- Colonial Williamsburg: Offers free admission during the Memorial Day weekend.
- Kings Dominion: Offers free admission for active and retired military.
- Kings Island: Offers free admission for active and retired members, including National Guard, reserves, and veterans from 23rd–26th May.
- LaMar’s Donuts: Offers a free classic donut with a hole when in uniform or with a military ID.
- Margaritaville at Sea: Offers a FREE cruise for military personnel.
Eligibility and Verification
A significant portion of the reported offers are specifically for military personnel, veterans, and their families. Eligibility often requires verification through official documentation. The sources indicate the following common requirements:
- Military ID: A standard form of verification for many discounts at retailers like Home Depot, Levi’s, The North Face, and others.
- Proof of Service: May be required at certain establishments, such as Walgreens, where a military ID or other proof of service is needed alongside a myWalgreens membership.
- Loyalty Programmes: Some offers, like those from 7-Eleven, Burger King, and Tim Hortons, are tied to membership in a brand’s loyalty or rewards programme (e.g., Royal Perks, myWalgreens, 7NOW Gold Pass). These programmes are typically free to join.
- General Public: Some deals, such as the Applebee’s All-You-Can-Eat special or certain 7-Eleven promotions, appear to be available to all customers without specific military verification, though terms may vary.
Important Considerations for Consumers
When exploring Memorial Day offers, several factors should be considered to ensure a smooth experience:
- Verification of Participation: Multiple sources, including [3], advise calling ahead to confirm a specific location’s participation in any promotional offer. Franchise locations may have different policies.
- Terms and Conditions: All offers are subject to terms and conditions. For example, the Walgreens discount excludes certain products, and the myWalgreens membership is required. Similarly, delivery discounts may have minimum order values or require a specific app and promo code.
- Availability Dates: Promotions are often limited to specific dates, typically the Memorial Day weekend itself (e.g., 23rd–26th May). Some offers, like Denny’s breakfast promotion, extend beyond the weekend.
- Geographic Restrictions: These offers are predominantly available in the United States. UK consumers should not expect to redeem them at UK locations unless a brand has a specific international promotion, which is not indicated in the provided data.
- Source Reliability: The information is compiled from various online deal aggregation websites. While these sites strive for accuracy, the most reliable information will always come directly from the official brand website or customer service. Some offers are described as "likely" or "watch for," indicating they are anticipated but not guaranteed.
Conclusion
Memorial Day serves as an occasion for numerous US-based brands to offer promotional freebies and discounts, primarily honouring military personnel and veterans. The available data shows a wide range of offers, from restaurant meals and retail discounts to special giveaways and free admissions. The structure of these promotions often involves verification through military ID, participation in loyalty programmes, or specific purchase requirements. For consumers, particularly those in the UK, the primary value of this information may be in understanding the types of promotional strategies employed during major holidays. However, due to the US-centric nature of these offers, direct participation from the UK is not feasible. As with all promotions, direct verification with the official brand is the most reliable method to confirm offer details, eligibility, and availability.