ST LOUIS (LALATE) – Applebees Veterans Day Free Meal returns today. Applebees Veterans Day Free Meal offer in 2009 passed out over 1 million free meals to members of our military. As reported on LALATE last year, the restaurant gives the honor to both Veterans and active duty military members.

Today that wonderful celebration returns.

In a nation in which we seem to take from our people more than we give back, this annual tradition by Applebees is unmatched. It doesn’t require a coupon. It doesn’t require you signing up for someone’s newsletter. This is simple, and clean.

All you have to do is show proof of military service. Example of ID accepted include

* U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card
* U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card
* Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
* Photograph in uniform
* Wearing uniform
* Veterans Organization Card
(i.e., American Legion and VFW)
* DD214

Once you do, you will eat free today. Where it’s Double Crunch Shrimp, Oriental Chicken Salad, or Three Cheese Chicken Penne, it’s waiting for your selection. It may only be breakfast time, but that picture LALATE is looking at right now of their Bacon Cheeseburger and 7 oz House Sirloin both look delicious alreaday. “Cheddar cheese and crispy Applewood smoked bacon crown our thick ‘n hearty burger on a toasted bakery bun. Served with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion” for the Burger. “Our traditional cut is both juicy and savory, served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables” says Applebees of the Sirloin.

The details of today’s promotion are located HERE.

Also, send a message in honor of military personnel HERE.

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EXCLUSIVE: LAS VEGAS (LALATE) – Thursday is Free Lasagna Day in celebration of National Lasagna Day at Buca di Beppo. Buca di Beppo got a visit from Holly Madison in the Vegas kitchen this week to celebrate the nation event.

Says Buca di Bebbo to LALATE, “Buca di Beppo locations throughout the country, guests who purchase any Buca Small or Buca Large sized pasta or entree will receive a free lunch-sized portion of lasagna. During its celebration last year, Buca di Beppo marked National Lasagna Day by giving away over more than 18,000 pounds of Lasagna, approximately the same weight as nine Italian-made Fiat automobiles.”

The offer is only this Thursday for dine-in customers. “To receive a free lunch-size portion of the lasagna, guests must also purchase a Buca Small or Buca Large size pasta or entree. The free lasagna is not valid on Buca To Go orders, but may be boxed and taken home by dine-in guests. Not to be combined with any other offer or coupon. For more information, please visit www.bucadibeppo.com.”

Catch Holly this week on LALATE’s favorite “Holly’s World” on E!

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Today is Free Slurpee Day 2010. But Free Slurpee Day 2010 doesn’t run at 7-Eleven (aka 7-11) all day long. In fact, it doesn’t even run from 7 to 11. Rather it runs from 8 to 11, in the morning, at participating locations.

Why the offer is not started at 7 am is not particularly clear.

The celebration of free-slurpy’ness gets you a wonderful 7.11 oz Slurpee totally free. In Texas, no coupon, printouts, nor promotional emails are required; there all you need is to walk in.

Also free this week are two movie rentals from Blockbuster Express kiosks. Use coupons GT16A or GL15A. Offer reportedly expires July 31 and gets you one free night.

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CHICAGO (LALATE) – The power of $1 is proven today by news of the frenzy over the Jimmy Johns Customer Appreciation Day. $1 eight inch subs are not new for the Jimmy Johns Customer Appreciation Day, a day that seems to repeat itself more often than just annually.

But while nowhere does the word “free” appear in the promotion, the power of a $1 promotion shows the impact even in today’s economy. Yesterday, Federal Reserve officials says the nation’s economy is now rebounding in more segments as national lending numbers are spreading to not just Wall Street but local businesses. The amount of money on hand for small business loans is at its highest level in recent years.

But with that news, $1 still pulls in an excited hungry bunch, doesn’t it! The Jimmy Johns Customer Appreciation Day is for today only June 10  at select stores. There are other restrictions – only sandwiches #1 through 6 on the menu qualify, the promotion is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time, and it’s one sandwich per person. Also no delivery, no online ordering and no drive through is valid.

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FREE! Chick-fil-A has a free Spicy Chicken Sandwich offer with reservations. The Chick-fil-A free Spicy Chicken Sandwich promotion is heating up press today not because it’s free but because it’s a fast food promotion requiring a reservation.

Reservation?

Says Chick-fil-A: “Make your reservation for an EXCLUSIVE premiere tasting of the Spicy Chicken Sandwich. From May 31 to June 5, Chick-fil-A is giving a limited number of FREE Spicy Chicken Sandwiches to customers who make a reservation. It will not be added to the menu until June 7.”

In today’s competitive fast food landscape, every marketing idea is worth a chance. And in Southern California, this one appears to be working. The Galleria at South Bay has 0 reservations remaining!

To reserve, you must go online here

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