Americans consumed an average of 20 cheeseburgers from foodservice establishments over the 12-month period ending July 2026, totaling roughly 6.9 billion cheeseburgers nationwide.
McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger App Deal
Members of the MyMcDonald’s Rewards loyalty program can claim a free Double Cheeseburger with a minimum $1 purchase on Friday through the McDonald’s app, according to FOX Business. A McDonald’s spokesperson told FOX Business that the chain wanted fans to celebrate the holiday by grabbing a drink, snack, or meal alongside the promotional sandwich. In addition to the burger promotion, the restaurant’s current menu lineup includes the SpongeBob x One Piece McDonald’s Happy Meal, which features toys depicting “SpongeBob SquarePants” characters dressed as “One Piece” characters, as reported by USA Today.
Burger King Royal Perks Week Promotions
Burger King is spreading its holiday promotions across a weeklong schedule of Royal Perks offers, as detailed by USA Today. On Friday, loyalty members can receive a free Bacon Cheeseburger with a $3 minimum purchase through the Burger King app and website. The weeklong lineup includes a free hamburger with a $3 minimum purchase on Thursday, a free four-piece chicken nuggets with a $3 purchase on Saturday, and a free Original Chicken Sandwich with a $3 minimum purchase on Sunday.
Wendy’s and Five Guys App Discounts
Wendy’s Rewards members can add a Dave’s Single Cheeseburger for $1.99 with any purchase through the chain’s app or website at participating U.S. locations, according to USA Today. Meanwhile, Five Guys is running a buy-one-get-one-free burger promotion of equal or lesser value through Friday. Customers must place their orders online or via the Five Guys app using the promo code “BOGOBURGER” at checkout, as the deal is excluded from in-store purchases, according to USA Today.
Pro Tip: Most National Cheeseburger Day deals require customers to use official restaurant apps or loyalty programs like MyMcDonald’s Rewards, Royal Perks, or Wendy’s Rewards. Be sure to check minimum purchase requirements—such as Burger King’s $3 threshold or McDonald’s $1 minimum—before checking out.
Carl’s Jr., Shake Shack, and Buffalo Wild Wings Offers
Carl’s Jr. Rewards members can get any burger for half price with the purchase of any Hand-Scooped Ice-Cream Shake on Friday through the chain’s app, according to USA Today. Its sister chain, Hardee’s, is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on Famous Star cheeseburgers for My Rewards members using the Hardee’s app on Friday, USA Today reported. Shake Shack is offering a $5 single ShackBurger or single Cheeseburger with any purchase by using the promo code “BURGERDAY” in the Shake Shack app, on the company website, or at in-store kiosks, per USA Today. Buffalo Wild Wings customers can get a free cheeseburger with the purchase of another regularly priced cheeseburger at participating locations, according to “Today,” though the one-time offer excludes lunch combos and kids’ menu items.
Did You Know? The origin of the cheeseburger remains a point of historical dispute. While the hamburger rose to prominence at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair according to History.com, Pasadena, California, stakes a claim to inventing the cheeseburger in 1924, while a Louisville, Kentucky, restaurant claims its own origin dates to 1934.
Additional Restaurant and Delivery Deals
7-Eleven is offering a $6 meal deal featuring a 20-ounce Coke or Pepsi alongside a choice of an Angus Double Cheeseburger, Chicken Sandwich, or Philly Cheesesteak, as reported by USA Today. Delivery platform Grubhub is also running platform-specific promotions on Friday, including a buy-one-get-one-free Whopper Jr. from Burger King on orders of $20 or more, and 20% off orders of $55 or more at Outback Steakhouse for new diners, according to USA Today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Cheeseburger Day?
National Cheeseburger Day is celebrated annually on September 18.
Do I need an app to get National Cheeseburger Day deals?
Most major restaurant chains, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Carl’s Jr., require customers to join their respective loyalty programs and place orders through mobile apps or official websites to redeem free or discounted cheeseburgers.
Are there minimum purchase requirements for these burger deals?
Yes. Several chains require minimum spending thresholds, such as a $1 minimum purchase at McDonald’s and a $3 minimum purchase at Burger King.
What is your favorite fast-food cheeseburger deal this year? Join the conversation by dropping a comment below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more food holiday updates and restaurant news.
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