Sept. 17, 2026, 7:01 a.m. ET
If you prefer your hamburger topped with cheese, this Friday is a day to celebrate a food favorite: National Cheeseburger Day.
Cheeseburgers are one of the most beloved foods in the U.S., with a popularity ranking of 84% (meaning 84% of those surveyed have a positive opinion of cheeseburgers), behind only grilled cheese sandwiches and french fries (85% popularity ratings) and tied with hamburgers (84%) as the most popular American dish in YouGov’s regularly updated rankings.
How many cheeseburgers do we eat when dining out? Americans consumed, on average, 20 cheeseburgers from foodservice establishments over the 12-month period ending July 2026, or about 6.9 billion cheeseburgers, according to research firm Circana CREST tracking data. Men eat more cheeseburgers (an average of 24 per month) than women (17), according to the data.
The hamburger came first, rising in prominence at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, according to History.com. After that, there’s some dispute about where the cheeseburger emerged, with Pasadena, California, having a claim from 1924, while a Louisville, Kentucky, restaurant stakes its own claim from 1934.
Of course, you can grill your own cheeseburger, but if you prefer to have it served to you, here’s some deals celebrating National Cheeseburger Day.
Burger King’s National Cheeseburger Day Perks Week deals
The fast-food chain has deals throughout the week for members of its Royal Perks loyalty program:
- Thursday, Sept. 17: Get a free hamburger with a purchase of $3 or more.
- Friday, Sept. 18: Get a free bacon cheeseburger with $3 minimum purchase.
- Saturday, Sept. 19: Free four-piece nuggets with a $3 minimum purchase.
- Sunday, Sept. 20: Free Original Chicken Sandwich with a $3 minimum purchase.
How to get a free double cheeseburger at McDonald’s
Members of the MyMcDonald’s Rewards loyalty program can get a free double cheeseburger on Friday, Sept. 18, with a minimum purchase of $1. Get the reward in the McDonald’s app.
Also available at McDonald’s is the new SpongeBob x One Piece McDonald’s Happy Meal, which has toys with “SpongeBob SquarePants” characters dressed as “One Piece” characters.
Wendy’s National Cheeseburger Day deal
Wendy’s has a special for members of the Wendy’s Rewards loyalty program on Friday, Sept. 18 – with any purchase, you can add on a Dave’s Single Cheeseburger for $1.99. Find the offer in the Wendy’s app or on the website. The one-time use offer is good for a limited time at participating U.S. Wendy’s locations.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s cheeseburger deals
The two fast-food chains each have National Cheeseburger Day deals. At Carl’s Jr. restaurants on Thursday, Sept. 17, and Friday, Sept. 18, members of the Carl’s Jr. Rewards loyalty program can get any burger for half price with the purchase of any Hand-Scooped Ice-Cream Shake. Get the deal in the Carl’s Jr. app.
At Hardee’s on Friday, Sept. 18, members of the My Rewards loyalty program can buy one Famous Star cheeseburger and get one free. My Rewards members can unlock the offer in the Hardee’s app on 9/18.
Grubhub National Cheeseburger Day deals
The delivery service has several deals for National Cheeseburger Day on Friday, Sept. 18. There’s no delivery and service fees on restaurant orders of $50 or more. Here are some deals from specific brands:
- Burger King: Buy one Whopper Jr., get one free on Sept. 18.
- Wendy’s: Get a free Baconator on orders of $20 or more on Sept. 18.
- Outback: Get 20% off your order of $55 or more, through Sunday, Sept. 20 (offer good for new diners only; max $11 off).
Five Guys’ BOGO deal for National Cheeseburger Day
Through Friday, Sept. 18, the burger chain has a buy one, get one free burger of equal or lesser value. You can get the deal on the Five Guys website or Five Guys app. Just put two burgers in your cart for pickup or first-party delivery; enter the code BOGOBURGER at checkout. (Offer not good for in-store purchases; one code per transaction and one redemption per Five Guys online account.)
More National Cheeseburger Day deals
- Applebee’s: The restaurant chain has a National Cheeseburger Day deal consisting of a Classic Burger or Classic Cheeseburger served with fries for only $8.99 for dine-in or to go. During the month of September, you can also get the O-M-Cheese Burger and O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger on Applebee’s 2 for $25 menu (dine-in only). Also, during the NFL season, you can get six free Boneless Wings every week by joining the Club Applebee’s loyalty program. Each week during the NFL season, you will get a code for the freebie, which you can redeem Sunday through Thursday with an online purchase of $15 or more.
- Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar: The burger restaurant chain has a special on its Jalapeño Business burger with a classic side for $10 (dine-in only).
- Big Buns: For National Cheeseburger Day, the burger chain is offering 50% off its Classic Burger with Cheese for members of its Thompson Table Rewards loyalty program.
- BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: On Friday, Sept. 18, get an All American Smash Burger, plus your choice of a personal-size signature Pizookie, for only $13 or, for $4 more, upgrade your meal with the Spooky Pizookie.
- Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay: The fast-casual burger restaurant co-founded by the celebrity chef has a National Cheeseburger Day (Sept. 18) $9.18 Meal Deal with a 4-ounce Palace Classic Cheeseburger, fries and a small fountain drink. The offer is good at participating Charlotte and Utah locations for dine-in or pick-up orders placed through the Bobby’s Burgers app.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Buy one regular-priced cheeseburger, get another of equal or lesser value free on Friday, Sept. 18. (Limit one. Offer not good on lunch combo or kids’ menu burgers. Delivery subject to availability.)
- Dog Haus: When you buy a Cheeseburger through your Dog Haus Rewards account, you get a reward for a free cheeseburger to use on a future visit.
- Dollar General: For National Cheeseburger Day this Friday, Sept. 18., the discount retail chain will give you 20% off select restaurant gift cards including those for burger brands such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Sonic, Whataburger and Applebee’s. Get more information on the Dollar General website.
- Eddie Merlot’s: The beef and seafood restaurants have a National Cheeseburger Day deal on Sept. 18 – and get Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger with potato chips for $15 when ordered online for takeout or delivery.
- Farmer Boys: On Friday, Sept. 18, members of the Very Important Farmer loyalty program can get a Big Cheese cheeseburger for $3.99 (offer not good on third-party delivery platforms and cannot be used on a combo meal).
- Firebird’s Wood Fired Grill: Join Firebirds’ Inner Circle loyalty program before National Cheeseburger Day and get a $10 welcome gift redeemable when dining Sept. 18.
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: From Friday, Sept. 18, to Sunday, Sept. 20, get 50% off any Freddy’s Triple Steakburger, excluding the Prime. Get the deal in the Freddy’s Rewards app (offer good in drive-thru, in-restaurant dining, pickup, or delivery).
- Good Times: The Colorado-founded restaurant chain has $2.99 Deluxe Cheeseburgers on Friday, Sept. 18, available in-restaurant and online through the app. Also, through the month of September, you can get $2 Bambinos and $1 any-size fountain drinks.
- Irv’s Burgers: All day long on Friday, Sept. 18, you can get an Irv’s Custom Burger for $2.50.
- Kraft Singles: This National Cheeseburger Day (9/18), Kraft Singles has teamed up with cheeseburger lover Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid to help the brand give away Kraft Singles for life, a trip to the Super Bowl and NFL Shop gear. Throughout the season, you can go to TheSingleGreatestCall.com each week to vote on Coach Reid’s picks, with opportunities to score free Kraft Singles and a chance to unlock major rewards, including a lifetime supply of Kraft Singles and tickets to Super Bowl LXI.
- Krystal: On Friday, Sept. 18, with any $5 purchase in the Krystal app, you can get two free Original or Cheese Krystals.
- Red Robin: The casual dining restaurant chain is giving you a chance to win free burgers on National Cheeseburger Day. On Friday, Sept. 18, go to Red Robin’s Instagram or Facebook page and comment on the National Cheeseburger Day post, or fill out an entry submission online. The social media post and entry form will go live on Sept. 18 for a chance to win, while supplies last.
- Ruby Tuesday: For National Cheeseburger Day on Friday, Sept. 18, the restaurant chain has several burgers and sandwiches with fries or tots for $6.99. Choices include Ruby’s Cheeseburger and an Impossible Burger.
- Shake Shack: Get a $5 single ShackBurger or single Cheeseburger with any purchase. Use the code BURGERDAY to redeem the deal in the Shack App, on the website and at in-store kiosks.
- Smashburger: On National Cheeseburger Day (Friday, Sept. 18), members of the SmashRewards loyalty program can get any single Smash for $1 at participating locations nationwide. The offer is good for in-restaurant and to-go orders or via first-party delivery (does not include the Smoked Brisket Bacon Smash).
- Sonic: Get a Jr Double Cheeseburger for $1.99 when you order in store or via the Sonic app on Friday, Sept. 18.
- Sullivan’s Steakhouse: The steakhouse chain has a National Cheeseburger Day deal of a Signature Angus Burger with fries for $15 when ordered online.
- Tender Greens: Members of the Tender Greens Rewards loyalty program can get a free drink with the purchase of a Tender Burger or Tender Burger Plate on Friday, Sept. 18.
- Twin Peaks: There will be an all-day $7.99 Cheeseburger & Fries deal all day on Friday, Sept. 18.
- Wahlburgers: Move fast for this deal – on Thursday, Sept. 17, one day ahead of National Cheeseburger Day, the chain founded by Donnie Wahlberg, Mark Wahlberg and Executive Chef Paul Wahlberg has 50% off on its signature Our Burger all-day (offer not good at Home Depot and airport locations).
- Wayback Burgers: On National Cheeseburger Day, members get a $3.50 Single Cheeseburger (offer good in-restaurant, online or through the Wayback Rewards program (limit 2 per person). Also every Sunday through Dec. 27, you can get $20 off online orders of $100 or more.
- Yardbird Southern Table & Bar: Get a grass-fed cheeseburger served with crispy beef tallow fries for $10 on Sept. 18.
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
