ST LOUIS (LALATE) – Golden Corral’s Veterans meal salute is typically held on the Monday after Veterans Day. For 2011, there is no change. Golden Corral tells news that its Military Appreciation returns this coming Monday. The annual celebration is to help Disable American Veterans, the chain tells news.

Every Golden Corral in the U.S. will participate in Monday’s celebration, the chain confirms to news. “Military Appreciation Day at Golden Corral restaurants is on Monday, November 14, 2011.” The salute is to honor active military and veterans while also donating to charity.

“All veterans and current active duty military men and women eat free at all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm.” Golden Corral adds “Golden Corral partnered with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to honor our veterans and current active military men and women. Last year the DAV raised more than $1 million in donations as a result of this decade long tradition.”

Some restaurant chains this week confirm to news that their free meal salute will be Friday. Not for GC. “Just a reminder that Military Appreciation Monday is only 7 days away. Please RSVP for the event and help Disabled American Veterans raise money for our men and women in uniform.” More details are available on their Facebook page (facebook.com/goldencorral). For more on Veterans Day, click HERE.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The Applebees Veterans Day 2011 free meal continues an annual tradition Friday. Applebees and Veterans Days free meals have become a national sensation every year. This Friday November 11, 2011 Applebees continues the tradition, it confirms to news this week.

In a news statement, Applebees says “Veterans and Active Duty Military enjoy a free Applebee’s Signature Entree on Friday November 11.” Six entries have been released in this year’s Veterans celebration. Applebees tells news “Please join Applebee’s in celebrating our Veterans and Active Duty Military. Take a look at our Vets Day Menu to view all of the wonderful selections available.”

The restaurant chain calls it also the “Thank You Movement. “Get ready by joining over 703,000 others in the Thank You Movement.” Applebees is using Facebook to continue the movement this year.

On its Facebook account (facebook.com/applebees) the chain has a store location map to assist you to find the nearest restaurant. “How many Vets or Active Duty Military do you know? Please share with them that we are honoring our Nation’s Heroes on Vets Day with a free meal. We would love to see them and personally say Thank You.”

There are locations across Southern California. They include Azusa, Glendale, Temple City, Norwalk, Alhambra, and Bell Gardens. For more on Veterans Day, click HERE.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme Donuts are celebrating National Doughnut Day 2011 with free donuts. Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme Donuts are independently celebrating the national day of the donut across their nation’s stores. In a news statement issued this week, Dunkin Donuts tells fans to “Mark your calendars and let the countdown begin”.

But as with any celebration, or free extravaganza, there are still rules. In its news statement, Dunkin Donuts updates “In celebration of National Donut Day on Friday, June 3, participating U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants will offer our guests a free donut with any beverage purchase.”

The celebration is also being powered via social media. The nation’s retailer is combining Facebook and Twitter to tie together consumers and brand locations. “Keep an eye on our feed Friday morning – we’ve got something fun planned to celebrate that may or may not involve a DD Card. Hint, hint” teases the retailer on Twitter. Elsewhere, it’s using Facebook “for the day [to..] invite your buddies to celebrate.”

In unrelated promotions, Office Depot tells news it’s offering a twenty percent off coupon on a one item transaction through June 5. No donut purchase is necessary.

National Doughnut Day was created in 1938 by the Salvation Army. The annual celebration, always on the first June of the year, celebrates women who handed out doughnuts to soldiers in WWI.

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ST LOUIS (LALATE) – Today is IHOP National Pancake Day, and with it, along with the free pancakes, IHOP tells news it hopes to raise millions for local charities nationwide. IHOP tells news this week that its National Pancake Day celebration hopes to raise $2.3 million for local charities this year alone. It’s an impressive goal for a company that has already been impressive in its charity donations. Since 2006, IHOP has raised more than $5.35 million for local charities. The charities are typical in communities in which IHOP stores are located.

But this year there is a change.

IHOP tells news that this year it has moved National Pancake Day one week earlier. IHOP says the purpose is to give one week of attention to Shrove Tuesday. With that, it hopes to raise $2.3 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities in the next week.

National Pancake Day traditionally falls on Shrove Tuesday aka Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. The concept derives from Lent. Lent prevents the eating of milk products. So, explains IHOP to news, “pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products…hence the name Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday.”

Today the celebration starts. From 7 am to 10 pm today, go into your local IHOP and receive one complimentary short stack. But, please remember your local charities. IHOP tells news this week, that after eating the delicious pancakes, “we ask you to consider leaving a little something behind for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities.” Last year, IHOP raised $2.1 million. This year they hope to raise $2.3.

There is a limit of one free short stack per guests. The offer is valid at participating restaurants for dine in only while supplies last and not valid with any other offer, special coupon or discount.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Jack has done it again. Two free tacos are offered at Jack in the Box, today only, November 16, until closing. Life is good, eat up, because in 19 states tonight, you have a surprise.

Yes, only 19 states get the fun tonight.

Jack has come up with a remarkable idea – free food. Your tacos don’t require coupons, printouts, emails, or cut outs. Just show up and eat.

There is no particular reason for the promotion. It is, well, Taco Tuesday. But it’s not a national holiday. It’s not a new product rollout.

But sometimes free food doesn’t need a reason. Restaurants should embrace free concepts more often. Limit two per customer.

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