15 Places To Get a Free (Or Discount) Burger on National Hamburger Day

National Hamburger Day is celebrated on May 28 to honor the iconic American food staple in all its delicious glory.

And just like looking for coupons and promotions is a reliable way to stretch your fast food budget, watching out for chains that offer special deals and freebies, especially on birthdays and major holidays, is a great way to snag even more discounts.

Here's where you can likely score free (or discounted) beef-forward noshes on this whimsical holiday.

Shake Shack is going beyond National Hamburger Day, as it's celebrating for the entire month of May. Each week, you can get a free burger when you buy $10 worth of Shake Shack items.

The week of May 28 specifically, the restaurant is giving away their iconic ShackBurger, but other deals throughout the month include the SmokeBurger, Bacon Cheeseburger, and Avocado Bacon Burger. Unlock the deal at a kiosk or in the app with code: BURGERMONTH.

Red Robin isn't celebrating just on May 28 — they've got a deal for the entire month of May. When you head to your local Red Robin (or their website) and sign up to become a Red Robin Royalty member, you can enter to win free hamburgers for an entire year. If you're already a member, buy a hamburger and drink via your account to be entered.

Other prizes include a ski trip and VIP tickets to MLS games.

Arguably the Southern cousin to the Northeast's White Castle, Krystal has been in operation since 1932, serving up fast food favorites like burgers and fries, as well as Southern fare.

On National Hamburger Day in 2025, snag a Krystal slider for only $1 on their app or website. The code? Use KRYSTALDAY.

As the name suggests, this burger and sandwich restaurant is the brainchild of the Wahlberg family, with roots in Massachusetts.

From May 27 through May 29, the chain is offering half off their Brother's Choice Burgers when you place an order on their app or website.

The famed purveyor of Frostys, chili, and square burgers will have a great deal for customers of all stripes.

From May 28 through June 1, look out for Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers on sale for 1 cent with any purchase, saving you well over $3.00 a pop. That's even better than the 25-cent burger Wendy's offered in January 2025.

The offer is only available through the Wendy's app.

The most royal hamburger fast food chain missing out on National Burger Day? We can't imagine that happening. On May 28, Burger King will offer free hamburgers when you buy any item (at least $1) via their app. 

You have to be a member of the chain's rewards program to take advantage of this deal. Simply place an order in the app or online, and find the offer under the "Offers" tab.

Cooling down with a Blizzard may be DQ's bread and butter, but their burgers have a following all their own.

That's why Dairy Queen is offering an extended deal from May 26 through June 1. To celebrate National Hamburger Day, rewards members can get a second Signature Stackburger for 99 cents when they buy one at regular price. This is available through the DQ Mobile App.

If the siren call of smashburgers gets you through the door every time, rejoice: Smashburger has a special deal for National Hamburger Day.

For one day only, on May 28, the chain is offering all burgers for just $5.28, no minimum purchase required. To take advantage of the deal, use code JUST528 at checkout for delivery or online orders, or visit a location in person.

Arby's has the meats every day of the year, but on May 28, we suspect they'll offer the meats at a discount to Arby's rewards members.

Since Arby's has slashed burger prices in half on the holiday in years past, look out for a similar promotion in 2025. Last year, you could get 50% off any burger online or in-app between May 27 and June 2.

Whether you prefer dining in, getting delivery, or ordering takeout, Buffalo Wild Wings likely has you covered for National Hamburger Day savings in 2025.

We love a straightforward BOGO: buy one burger, get a second one free; that's what we're expecting from the wing juggernaut this year.

One of the biggest fast food chains in the world, McDonald's is arguably best known for offerings like the Big Mac and Quarter Pounder.

If McDonald's observes National Hamburger Day like they did in 2024, customers will likely be able to score a free Big Mac with any purchase of at least $1.

We're not the only ones who believe that the stalwart provider of tacos, burgers, curly fries, and more, 24 hours a day, is underrated. That's all the more reason to snag a Jumbo Jack burger completely free when you spend $1 on National Hamburger Day.

On National Hamburger Day in 2024, BurgerFi was kind enough to give dine-in customers a great deal on their signature burger. All you had to do was buy one of their Freestyle drinks, and you'd score a BurgerFi Burger for just $3. We predict that they'll have a similar promotion in 2025.

Taco may be in the name, but that doesn't stop Del Taco from selling French fries and burgers along with their tortilla-oriented menu.

If 2024 was any indicator, Del Taco will have a BOGO deal on their Double Del Cheeseburger on National Hamburger Day in 2025. Just be sure to order online or in the app.

While beef may be the classic protein for a hamburger, plant-based burgers have just as much of a claim to the burger space.

Based on past promotions, we wouldn't be surprised to see Next Level Burger offer a BOGO on their Classic Burger in 2025, as long as you order in-store or online through the app or website.

Taking advantage of restaurant promotions may not help you save money on groceries every week, but every penny kept in your wallet helps. Certainly, free (or discount) hamburgers leave a great taste in your mouth.

For more frequent and arguably reliable savings, download the apps of your favorite restaurants. Many have programs designed to give you regular rewards for every dollar you spend, which is sure to help buffer your budget.