Ah yes, the hamburger. A baked bun, beef patty, mustard, ketchup, onion, pickles, with optional cheese. So simple, and so delicious, that Americans can’t get enough. That’s why it’s fitting that in the month of May – the unofficial start of Summer and BBQ season – Hamburgers are celebrated by way of National Hamburger Month, National Hamburger Week (this week), and every year on May 28, National Hamburger Day celebrates America’s most iconic food. Americans eat over 50 billion burgers a year, so it’s only fitting we set aside a whole day for these special sandwiches.
The History of the Hamburger
Convenient, cheap, and delicious, the world-famous burger has a storied and uncertain history. According to National Today, no one is quite sure about the origins of the hamburger, other than that it is eponymously named for the town of Hamburg in Germany.
People have been eating cooked meat on bread for centuries, but the association with Hamburg seems to stem from a 1758 recipe for a dish called the “Hamburg Sausage.” Others think the name originates from a cruise company known as the Hamburg America Line, which served its passengers similar sandwiches in the Mid-1800s. To this day, there is little agreement over who actually created the iconic food.
Numerous deli and diner owners across the United States claim that their joint is responsible for inventing the burger. However, there seems to be some consensus amongst historians that the food as we know it today truly gained popularity at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, an event that also gave us the ice-cream cone. However it happened, the hamburger has grown to be one of the world’s most widely consumed food items, found on menus from Texas to Thailand. They can be had for a dollar apiece or made from gourmet ingredients that cost hundreds. However you decide to chow down, this day is for you. Fire up the grill, gather round your friends, and cook up some delicious burgers.
If you’d like to know where all the Hamburger Day deals and freebies are happening, The Krazy Coupon Lady has you covered:
Confirmed Hamburger Day Deals 2026
- Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar: In 2026, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar is celebrating National Hamburger Day with a $10 BD’s All-American Burger and a classic side. Offer valid on May 28 only.
- Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay: On National Hamburger Day, you can enjoy a Crunchburger for $5.28 at Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay.
- Burger King: This year, Burger King Royal Perks members can get a FREE hamburger with an online or in-app purchase of $3 or more on National Hamburger Day.
- Dairy Queen: In 2026, Dairy Queen is offering rewards members $1 off any Signature Stackburger. Options include Backyard Bacon Ranch, Bacon Cheese Deluxe, FlameThrower, Cheese Deluxe, and Original Cheeseburger. Offer valid May 25 – 31.
- Del Taco: Del Taco Rewards members can score BOGO Double Del Cheeseburgers on National Hamburger Day 2026.
- Eddie Merlot’s: Grab an Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger and housemade potato chips for $15 at Eddie Merlot’s when you order online. If you choose to dine-in you can score this deal during Happy Hour from 4 – 6:30 (local).
- Farmer Boys: Farmer Boys is celebrating National Hamburger Day by offering Very Important Farmer (VIF) Rewards members a $3.99 Big Cheese Cheeseburger when you order in-app. Offer valid on May 28 only.
- Jack in the Box: Score a free Jr. Jumbo Jack when you make an in-app purchase of $1 or more at Jack in the Box on National Hamburger Day.
- Krystal: In 2026, Club Krystal members can enjoy an in-app exclusive deal for $0.50 Krystals on National Hamburger Day (May 28).
- Ruby Tuesday: Score a Ruby Tuesday single patty American Smashed Burger with fries or tots and the Endless Garden Bar for $8.99. Offer valid on May 28.
- Shake Shack: On National Hamburger Day 2026, you can score a FREE ShackBurger at Shake Shack when you make a purchase of $10 or more and use promo code FREEBURGER online or in-app.
- Smashburger: This year, Smashburger is offering any single burger (excludes any items on the $4.99 All-The-Time menu) for $5.28 on National Hamburger Day. When ordering in-store, you must mention the deal at checkout. For online or in-app orders, use promo code 528SINGLE. Offer valid on May 28 only.
- Sullivan’s Steakhouse: On May 28, score a Signature Angus Burger and fries for $15 at Sullivan’s Steakhouse when you order online. Dine-in guests can get this same deal during Happy Hours from 3 – 6 p.m. (local).
- The Greene Turtle: Celebrate National Hamburger Day (May 28) in 2026 with BOGO classic burgers at The Greene Turtle.
- Wayback Burgers: Wayback Burgers is offering rewards members $5 Classic Burgers on National Hamburger Day 2026. Limit two per order/rewards account.
- Whataburger: On National Hamburger Day, Whataburger Rewards members can score a FREE Whataburger when you order a medium fry and medium drink online or in-app. For in-store orders, you must scan your app.
- White Castle: In 2026, celebrate National Hamburger Day with a 10-Sack of Original Sliders for $8.99 at White Castle.
Predicted Deals Not Yet Confirmed
- Arby’s: This year, Arby’s will likely celebrate National Hamburger Day with a Better Than Burger BOGO Free sandwich deal.
- Bar Louie: Rewards members (it’s free to join) can anticipate a Burger Pass offer at Bar Louie and enjoy a FREE burger on your next visit and discounted burgers every visit after that through the rest of the year.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: On National Hamburger Day 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings will have half off any burger (including the All-American Cheeseburger, Triple Bacon Cheeseburger, and more) when you order online for takeout or delivery and use a promo code at checkout.
- Buffalo’s Cafe: Watch for Buffalo’s Cafe to offer a National Hamburger Day deal on their Canyon Burgers and Tumbleweed Potato Chips on May 28, 2026.
- Epic Burger: Grab a burger deal at Epic Burger on National Hamburger Day.
- Friendly’s: New Friendly’s Fan Club Rewards members can anticipate a FREE Founder’s Burger when they download the Friendly’s app and join the Fan Club.
- Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard: In 2026, look for a deal on the Big Daddy Bacon Cheeseburger at Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard on May 28.
- Habit Burger & Grill: Rewards members can look forward to BOGO Charburgers (with or without cheese) at Habit Burger & Grill.
- Hurricane Grill & Wings: We anticipate Hurricane Grill & Wings will celebrate National Hamburger Day 2026 with a steak burger and fries deal.
- Kroger: Watch for Kroger to offer a National Hamburger Day deal on a six-pack of Private Selection Beef Chuck Patties.
- Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes: We predict BOGO burgers at Mooyah on National Hamburger Day in 2026.
- Native Grill & Wings: Celebrate National Hamburger Day this year with a discount on My Native Burgers at Native Grill & Wings.
- Perkins American Food Co.: Watch for a burger, fries, and a slice of pie deal at Perkins American Food Co. for National Hamburger Day.
- Sonic: This year, celebrate National Hamburger Day with a deal on Sonic cheeseburgers.
- TGI Fridays: We anticipate a deal on a Big Queso Energy Burger with seasoned fries at TGI Fridays for National Hamburger Day 2026.
- Wahlburgers: Wahlburgers will likely offer 50% off Brothers’ Choice Burgers (the Our Burger, BBQ Bacon, and O.F.D.) when you use a promo code at checkout online or in-app on National Hamburger Day in 2026.
- Wendy’s: We predict Wendy’s will offer rewards members a $0.01 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger this year on National Hamburger Day with any in-app purchase.
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Photo Credit: Foodio / Shutterstock.com
