After McDonald’s CEO Christopher Kempczinski’s Big Arch taste test went viral, other fast food presidents decided to join in on the fun.
Any day is a good day for a hamburger, but on Thursday, May 28, which is National Hamburger Day, you can get a deal on one.
Hamburgers are among Americans’ favorite foods and are often paired with another favorite, French fries. Fries have topped YouGov’s survey of the most popular American dishes. Hamburgers come in fourth place after grilled cheese and cheeseburgers.
According to Kevin Schimpf, Technomic’s senior director of industry research, consumers are projected to spend $115 billion at U.S. burger chains in 2025. Burger chains account for 20% of total consumer spending at chain restaurants annually, he said.
Of course, you can fry or grill your own burgers at home. But many people prefer to get them at drive-thru or restaurants. Here are some places with deals.
Burger King’s National Hamburger Day Deals
To celebrate National Hamburger Day on Thursday, May 28, members of Burger King’s Royal Perks loyalty program can receive a free hamburger with any purchase of $3 or more at participating Burger King restaurants nationwide when they use the BK app or bk.com. Royal Perks members can also get four months of Spotify Premium for free with a $10 purchase. This offer is good for Royal Perks members who have opted in to receive emails and new Spotify Premium users (good for the Spotify Personal plan only; offer ends June 13).
Previous Spotify Premium users whose access expired more than 30 days ago and haven’t taken advantage of the Spotify Welcome Back offer in the last 24 months can get two months free. (Spotify costs $12.99 monthly after the trial period.)
More National Hamburger Day Deals
- Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar: The restaurant chain’s special burger for the month of May (it’s also National Hamburger Month) is the Smashdilla Burger, made with quesadilla buns, double-stacked taco-seasoned Smash patties, Monterey Jack, pico de gallo, chipotle ranch dressing, crushed avocado and served with red salsa.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Newcomers who sign up for the Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards program get you a free burger with any purchase of $15 or more.
- Carl’s Jr. And Hardy’s: My Rewards members can unlock an offer in the Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr. app on May 28 so they can buy a Famous Star, get one for one cent at participating restaurants. New members who join on May 28 will automatically get the deal.
- Checkers and Rally: When you buy a Classic Burger on May 27th and 28th, you get one free.
- Del Taco: For National Hamburger Day, get a free Double Del Cheeseburger when you buy another (offer good May 28-30).
- dairy Queen: DQ Rewards loyalty program members receive $1 off any Signature Stackburger all week long (May 25-31).
- Duffy’s Sports Grill: On Thursday, May 28th, get a 1/2 pound Certified Angus Beef Original Cheeseburger with Fries for $7.99 with the purchase of any beverage.
- Farmer Boys: The fast-casual chain has a deal for a $3.99 Big Cheese Cheeseburger on Thursday, May 28, but you must be a member of its VIF (Very Important Farmer) loyalty program. Get deals in the Farmer Boys app.
- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: Celebrate National Hamburger Day with the Perfect Pair Menu for $14.95, which includes a Smashburger along with your choice of another dish (options include Caesar Salad, Mixed Greens Salad, BLT Salad, Mac & Cheese, and Cup of Chicken Tortilla Soup or Chef’s Deli Soup). This deal is also available for weekday lunch. Auspicious time: For National Burger Day, the chain will offer a $2.99 Deluxe Cheeseburger (normally $6.79). Offer good for dine-in only.
- Hard Rock Cafe: On National Hamburger Day, you can buy one, get one free classic Smashed burger from 3pm to 6pm local time. Members of the Unity by Hard Rock global loyalty program receive a free Classic Smashed Burger.
- Hat Creek Burger Company: Just in time for National Burger Day and National Burger Month, the Texas-based burger chain teamed up with Terry Black’s Barbecue on a limited-time menu collaboration that includes a Hat Creek Burger with Pitmaster Stack, chopped brisket, BBQ sauce, melted cheddar, pickles and crispy onion rings.
- Irv’s Burgers: The first 50 customers at each location receive a free Roadside Single. This offer is available in store only; One per person. Just say the secret code: “Just for me.”
- Jack in the Box: You can get a free Junior Jumbo Jack with any purchase of $1 or more on May 28th. There’s also a limited-time Smashed Jack’s Slider Munchie Meal (price varies by location), which includes two sliders, two tacos, curly fries, and a drink in a limited surprise cup, which includes one entry for a chance to win the $75,000 grand prize and is a special digital offer you can find in the Jack’s app.
- Metro Diner: The restaurant chain’s limited-time Summer Favorites menu features a $12.49 Classic Burger, coinciding with National Hamburger Day.
- red lace: On Thursday, May 28, the burger chain has a BIG YUMMM deal with Red’s Double Burger, Bottomless Side and Bottomless Drink for $9.99. Also during May, Red Robin Royalty members earn double points when they make two or more purchases for dine-in or to-go.
- Ruby Tuesday: For National Hamburger Day, you can get a single patty American Smashed burger with fries or tots, as well as the Endless Garden Bar for $8.99.
- Shake Shake: Now through Sunday, May 31, guests can get a free ShakeBurger with any order of $10 or more by using the code FREEBURGER on the Shake app, online or in stores. Until May 31st, you can also enter a contest to win free burgers for a year.
- Smashburger: You can get any single-patty Smash Burger for $5.28 at participating locations nationwide. Mention the offer at checkout if in-store, or enter promo code 528SINGLE when ordering online or in the Smashburger app. (Offer does not apply to any items on the Smashburger $4.99 all-the-time menu.)
- Sonic: Through May 31, Sonic Rewards loyalty program members can receive a free Sonic Smasher or All-American Smasher with a $3 purchase, or a free medium drink including the new Refreshers with a $3 purchase.
- Wayback Burger: You can get a Classic Burger for $5 at participating locations nationwide on May 28. The fast-casual chain recently launched its summer menu, which includes red, white and blue shakes
- Whataburger: On Thursday, May 28, Whataburger Rewards rewards program members can get a free Whataburger when they order medium fries and a medium drink (simply order online or scan the app in store to get the deal). Every qualifying order also stands a chance to be one of 50 lucky winners of free Whataburger deals for a year. (Details here.)
Mike Snyder is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, BlueSky, X, and email him mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider &msnider@usatoday.com.
<a href=