Who doesn't love a cheeseburger? National Cheeseburger Day falls on Friday, September 18, 2026, and fast food chains across the country are celebrating with free burgers and deep discounts. This post rounds up the best National Cheeseburger Day deals — and notes whether each deal needs a coupon or promo code — plus a strange social media food trend you have to see to believe.
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| National Cheeseburger Day |
National Cheeseburger Day Sept. 2026: 10 Deals & Offers for Burgers
McDonald's is giving MyMcDonald's Rewards members a free Double Cheeseburger with a minimum $1 purchase through the McDonald's app. Coupon code: none needed — just order in the app as a Rewards member. Limit one per customer, at participating locations.
Burger King Royal Perks members can get a free bacon cheeseburger with a $3 minimum purchase on Friday through the BK app or online. Coupon code: none needed — redeem it in the app or online as a Royal Perks member. It is part of a weeklong "Perks Week" lineup that also includes a free hamburger with a $3+ purchase on Thursday, September 17, free 4-piece nuggets on Saturday, September 19, and a free Original Chicken Sandwich on Sunday, September 20.
Wendy's Rewards members can add a Dave's Single Cheeseburger for $1.99 with any purchase through the Wendy's app or website. Coupon code: none needed — order as a Wendy's Rewards member via the app or website.
Five Guys is offering buy one burger, get one of equal or lesser value free for orders placed on the Five Guys app or website. Coupon code: yes — enter BOGOBURGER at checkout.
Smashburger is selling a single Smash burger for just $1 to SmashRewards members, in-restaurant, through the app, or online. Coupon code: none needed — the deal is tied to your SmashRewards membership.
Shake Shack customers can get a $5 single ShackBurger or Cheeseburger with any purchase. Coupon code: yes — use BURGERDAY in the Shack App, on the website, or at in-store kiosks.
Checkers dropped the price of its Big Buford to only $3 at participating restaurants nationwide. No coupon needed — it's simply the sale price.
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin' Rewards members can buy one cheeseburger and get one free (limit one; excludes lunch combos and kids' menu burgers). Coupon code: none needed — the offer is tied to your Blazin' Rewards membership.
MOOYAH Rewards members can claim a buy-one-get-one-free burger on September 18 through the MOOYAH app. Coupon code: none needed — claim it in the MOOYAH app.
Wayback Burgers is offering a single cheeseburger for $3.50 on September 18, limit two per person. No coupon needed — available in-restaurant, online, or via Wayback Rewards.
Deal details can vary by location, and most offers require the chain's app or loyalty program. Check with your local restaurant before heading out.
Why the Cheeseburger Beats Every Other Fast Food Item
The cheeseburger holds an 84% popularity ranking among Americans, according to YouGov, tied with hamburgers and just behind grilled cheese sandwiches and French fries. Research firm Circana reports that Americans ate roughly 6.9 billion cheeseburgers from restaurants in the 12 months ending July 2026. The hamburger rose to prominence at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, and the cheeseburger followed, with origin claims from Pasadena, California (1924) and Louisville, Kentucky (1934).
A Post Circulating on Social Media About Dipping Cheeseburgers in Coke
As cheeseburger lovers gear up for National Cheeseburger Day, social media is buzzing with an unusual trend: people dipping McDonald's cheeseburgers into Coca-Cola. The combination has sparked a heated debate online, with some calling it a stroke of genius and others calling it just plain gross.
If you tried dipping your cheeseburger in Coke, would you be team genius or team gross?
(Share your thoughts in the comments below.)
