Dairy Queen is an iconic American fast food chain known for its soft serve ice cream treats. The company was founded in 1940 and has grown to over 7,000 locations across the United States. With its long history and status as a classic American brand, many customers wonder if Dairy Queen participates in Veterans Day promotions to honor those who have served in the military.
Does Dairy Queen offer any Veterans Day free food deals?
Yes, Dairy Queen does offer special deals for Veterans Day. The most common Veterans Day promotion is a free DQ Blizzard Treat for veterans and active duty military. To get the free Blizzard, veterans and active duty personnel just need to visit a participating Dairy Queen location on Veterans Day and show a valid proof of service such as a military ID card, Form DD-214, or a state-issued driver’s license with veteran designation.
What kind of proof of service does Dairy Queen accept for the Veterans Day promotion?
Dairy Queen accepts the following as proof of service for their Veterans Day deal:
- Military ID Card
- Form DD-214
- VA Health Card
- State-issued driver’s license with veteran designation
As long as the identification shows your veteran or active duty status, you can redeem the offer. The free Blizzard Treat is valid for veterans, retired military, and active duty personnel.
Is the free Blizzard Treat on Veterans Day available nationwide?
No, unfortunately the free Blizzard promotion on Veterans Day is not offered at every Dairy Queen location. The participation may vary by location. Customers should contact their local Dairy Queen to see if they are taking part in the Veterans Day free Blizzard giveaway.
The offer is only valid at participating locations. You can call ahead to your neighborhood Dairy Queen to confirm they are honoring the Veterans Day special before visiting to take advantage of the deal.
History of Dairy Queen’s Veterans Day Promotion
Dairy Queen has offered special deals honoring veterans for over a decade. The first Veterans Day promotion began in 2007 and has continued each year since on November 11th. Here is a brief overview of the history:
- 2007 – Free samll soft serve cone for veterans
- 2008 – Free 21 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2009 – Free 21 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2010 – Free 21 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2011 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2012 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2013 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2014 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2015 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2016 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2017 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2018 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2019 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2020 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2021 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
- 2022 – Free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat for veterans
As you can see, the promotion has been a Veterans Day tradition for Dairy Queen for over 15 years now. Over the years the size of the free Blizzard Treat has varied, but for the past 8 years it has remained a 6 oz. portion.
Why did Dairy Queen Downsize the Free Blizzard in 2011?
In 2011, Dairy Queen reduced the size of the free Veterans Day Blizzard from a 21 oz. regular size down to a 6 oz. mini size. There were a few reasons for this change:
- Bring Portions in Line with Other Promotions – The smaller 6 oz. size was in line with the free ice cream samples DQ offers for regular promotions. So it brought veterans’ free Blizzards in line with typical single-serve giveaway sizes.
- Increased Popularity – Participation had grown substantially since 2007, so the smaller size helped DQ keep up with demand.
- Reduced Costs – The smaller size cut product costs for franchises running the Veterans Day promotion.
While some veterans were unhappy with the downsized Blizzard, it allowed Dairy Queen to continue the appreciated tradition while managing costs and volume. Today’s 6 oz. mini Blizzard is still a nice token of appreciation for veterans from the popular ice cream chain.
Ways Dairy Queen Supports Veterans Beyond Veterans Day
In addition to the annual Veterans Day free Blizzard giveaway, Dairy Queen extends its support to veterans and military families year-round through other initiatives:
Blizzard Sales Support Veterans Organizations
5% of sales from select Blizzard Treats are donated to support veterans causes year-round via the Dairy Queen Veterans Network. This provides a stream of funding to various veterans’ organizations.
Hiring Initiatives
Dairy Queen seeks to hire qualified veterans and has partnered with recruitment groups that match vets to careers. Many franchise locations are veteran-owned and operated as well.
Local Community Support
Individual DQ locations often support veterans groups and events in their communities through fundraising, donations, and event partnerships.
How Veterans and Active Military Can Redeem Dairy Queen’s Offer
Redeeming Dairy Queen’s Veterans Day free Blizzard offer is easy. Just follow these steps:
- Find a participating Dairy Queen location near you.
- Bring a valid proof of service like a military ID, VA card, or veteran designation on your driver’s license.
- Show your proof of service when you order.
- Redeem your free 6 oz. Blizzard Treat!
The Blizzard Treat is free for all veterans, retired military personnel, and active duty service members with proper identification. There is no purchase required to get the free 6 oz. Blizzard.
Can I Get My Free Blizzard on Another Day Besides Veterans Day?
No, Dairy Queen’s free Blizzard offer for veterans is only valid on Veterans Day itself, November 11th. It is not offered on other days of the year. So be sure to stop by a participating DQ on 11/11 to enjoy your complimentary frozen treat!
Popular Blizzard Flavor Choices for Veterans Day
Dairy Queen offers a wide variety of Blizzard flavors that veterans can choose from on Veterans Day. Here are some of the most popular options:
| Blizzard Flavor | Description |
|---|---|
| Oreo | Vanilla soft serve blended with crumbled Oreo cookies. |
| M&M’s | Vanilla soft serve mixed with candy-coated M&M’s chocolate candies. |
| Butterfinger | Vanilla soft serve combined with pieces of the classic Butterfinger candy bar. |
| Heath Bar | Vanilla soft serve blended with Heath Bar candy pieces. |
| Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup | Peanut butter and chocolate soft serve swirled with Reese’s Pieces and peanut butter cups. |
Veterans can choose any Blizzard flavor available at the location they visit. The above options tend to be favorites for the promotion each year.
Are There Any Blizzard Restrictions for Veterans Day?
Typically there are no restrictions on Blizzard flavors for the Veterans Day promotion. Most locations allow veterans to order any available Blizzard flavor for free with valid proof of service. Some DQ franchises may limit options, but most allow veterans to pick their favorite.
Ways to Make the Most of Dairy Queen’s Veterans Day Offer
Here are some tips to take full advantage of Dairy Queen’s free Blizzard offer on Veterans Day:
- Get There Early – Visit DQ in the morning or early afternoon before locations get too busy. This helps ensure they still have your Blizzard flavor in stock.
- Check Social Media – Follow your local Dairy Queen on Facebook or Twitter. They may post updates if they run low on certain Blizzard flavors.
- Bring Your Military ID – Having your official military identification makes redeeming the offer quick and easy.
- Consider Larger Size Upgrades – Many locations allow veterans to upgrade to a larger Blizzard for just the price difference.
- Add Mix-Ins – Top your free Blizzard with extra candies, cookies, fruit and other tasty mix-in options.
Taking advantage of the above tips will help you make the most of Dairy Queen’s generous Veterans Day free Blizzard offer.
Other Veterans Day Restaurant Deals and Freebies
In addition to Dairy Queen, many other restaurants extend free food and discounts to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day. Here are some other popular options:
| Restaurant | Veterans Day Offer |
|---|---|
| Applebee’s | Free meal from special menu. |
| Chili’s | Free meal from select menu. |
| Denny’s | Free Build Your Own Grand Slam. |
| IHOP | Free Red, White and Blue pancakes. |
| Wendy’s | Free breakfast combo meal. |
Be sure to call ahead to confirm participation, as offers vary by location. With so many appreciation deals available, veterans have the chance to enjoy a day of free meals, treats, and savings on Veterans Day.
Conclusion
Dairy Queen provides a nice way for veterans and active duty personnel to enjoy a cool free treat in honor of their service. While the Blizzard size has changed over the years, it is still a popular offer that sees strong participation every Veterans Day. By going early, bringing your military ID, and exploring flavor options, you can make the most of DQ’s giveaway. Combining it with other restaurants’ deals makes for an entire day of food freebies and discounts. So take advantage of the offerings as a token of thanks for your sacrifice and service to our country.
