Veterans and active duty service members in Tega Cay, Fort Mill and Rock Hill can fill most of Veterans Day with free food and services on Wednesday, Nov. 11, as national chains and hometown businesses roll out their annual offers of thanks.
Many of the deals sit within a few miles of one another along Highway 160, Stonecrest Boulevard and Cabela’s Drive, which makes it possible to string several together in a single day. The Tega Cay Sun checked national deal lists against local storefronts and included only offers with a location in the area.
Most businesses ask for proof of service, such as a military ID, VA card, a veteran designation on a driver’s license or discharge papers. Military.com also cautions that not every franchise location takes part in its national chain’s Veterans Day program, so veterans should check with their nearest store first.
Start with coffee
Early risers have several options. Starbucks is giving a free tall hot or iced brewed coffee to veterans, service members and military spouses at participating U.S. stores on Nov. 11.
PJ’s Coffee is offering veterans and active duty military a free 16 ounce hot coffee or cold brew, in store only. The Fort Mill shop at 3080 Highway 21 opens at 6 a.m. on weekdays. For something sweet, Dunkin’ is giving active and retired military a free doughnut, in store only and one per guest while supplies last, with mobile app orders excluded.
Breakfast
Biscuit Belly is feeding veterans free on Nov. 11 with a choice of a bacon, egg and cheese, sausage, egg and cheese or chicken biscuit sandwich, plus hot drip coffee or a fountain drink, dine in only at all locations. The Fort Mill restaurant at Fort Mill Crossing, 2147 Highway 160 West, was the chain’s first in South Carolina.
Rock Hill has three more choices. Denny’s will serve a free Original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon to active, nonactive and retired military who show a valid military ID or DD 214. IHOP is offering a free Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at participating restaurants. Cracker Barrel is serving veterans and active duty service members with valid ID a free Sunrise Pancake Special.
A fresh haircut
Great Clips is giving veterans and active military a free haircut on Nov. 11, or a card for a free cut on a later visit. Customers who are not veterans can also pick up a free haircut card that day to give to a veteran, redeemable through Dec. 4. The Tega Cay salon is at 2435 Highway 160, Suite 110.
Sport Clips locations that participate will offer free or discounted haircuts to veterans and service members with valid ID. The Tega Cay Sport Clips is at 1135 Stonecrest Blvd., and the chain also has salons in Rock Hill on Old York Road and in Indian Land on Charlotte Highway.
Wash the car
Veterans have two choices for a free car wash on Veterans Day.
Sam’s Xpress Car Wash is offering free car washes to veterans. Its Fort Mill wash is at 2354 Parchment Blvd.
Autobell Car Wash is offering veterans and active duty military a complimentary wash on Veterans Day. The Fort Mill Autobell sits at 964 Cabela’s Drive near Carowinds Boulevard. Other nearby washes are at 8723 Charlotte Highway in Indian Land, 1250 Riverchase Blvd. in Rock Hill and 315 Bulkhead Way in Lake Wylie.
Lunch
Veterans who want to bank a meal for later should head to Rock Hill before 2 p.m. Texas Roadhouse will hand out meal vouchers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to veterans and active military with proof of service. The vouchers are good through May 31, 2027, for one of 10 entrees, including a 6 ounce sirloin, with two sides and a drink. The Rock Hill restaurant is at 2367 Dave Lyle Blvd.
Several sit down restaurants are serving a free meal on the spot. Applebee’s is offering a free dine in entree from a special Veterans Day menu, with drinks and gratuity not included. Chili’s will serve a free meal from select items at participating restaurants, in restaurant only. Olive Garden is giving those who dine in a free entree from a special menu that includes chicken parmigiana and fettuccine Alfredo, with unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad. Olive Garden is at 519 John Ross Parkway in Rock Hill, and Chili’s is at 630 Tinsley Way. For a quick bite, Wendy’s is giving veterans and active duty military a free Dave’s Single at participating restaurants.
Dinner
On Veterans Day, veterans eat free at Mac’s Speed Shop, which is offering a free half rack of ribs and fries with any beverage purchase. The deal is dine in only, all day, at all Mac’s Speed Shop locations. The Fort Mill restaurant is at 1956 Highway 160.
A short drive away in the same center as Biscuit Belly, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill will cover a veteran’s or active duty service member’s meal with the purchase of another entree, and will still cover a veteran who dines alone. The Fort Mill Firebirds is at 2147 Highway 160, Suite 104.
Golden Corral’s annual Military Appreciation Night runs from 4 p.m. to close, with a free buffet and beverage for current service members, retirees and veterans. The Rock Hill Golden Corral is at 2370 Cherry Road.
End the day with a beer
Model A Brewing is offering veterans a free beer on Veterans Day. The brewery, at 1175 Stonecrest Blvd. in Tega Cay.
Veterans Day Freebies at a Glance (Wednesday, Nov. 11)
Coffee: Starbucks, free tall brewed coffee • PJ’s Coffee, 3080 Highway 21, free 16 ounce coffee or cold brew • Dunkin’, free doughnut
Breakfast: Biscuit Belly, 2147 Highway 160 West • Denny’s, Rock Hill, 5 a.m. to noon • IHOP, Rock Hill, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Cracker Barrel, Rock Hill
Haircut: Great Clips, 2435 Highway 160, Tega Cay • Sport Clips, 1135 Stonecrest Blvd., free or discounted
Car wash: Sam’s Xpress, 2354 Parchment Blvd., Fort Mill • Autobell, 964 Cabela’s Drive, Fort Mill, plus Indian Land, Rock Hill and Lake Wylie
Lunch: Texas Roadhouse vouchers, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rock Hill • Applebee’s • Chili’s • Olive Garden • Wendy’s
Dinner: Mac’s Speed Shop, 1956 Highway 160 • Firebirds, 2147 Highway 160 • Golden Corral, 4 p.m. to close, Rock Hill
Nightcap: Model A Brewing, 1175 Stonecrest Blvd., Tega Cay
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
