National Cheeseburger Day 2025 deals and freebies: McDonald’s, In-N-Out, Five Guys, Shake Shack & much more

Welcome to cheeseburger paradise!

National Cheeseburger Day is on Thursday — and to celebrate, restaurants are serving up some hot and juicy deals.

From fast-food chains to sit-down dining rooms, there’s no shortage of mouthwatering meals to score, even on a slim budget.

Read on to learn about the meatiest freebies to satisfy your carnivorous cravings on Sept. 18.

McDonald’s

Customers can get Double Cheeseburgers through the McDonald’s App for just $0.50. The deal is exclusive to the app, and only one burger is allowed per customer.

Checkers / Rally’s

Fans celebrating National Cheeseburger Day can snag Checkers’ (AKA Rally’s) signature Big Buford for $3 at participating locations nationwide, while supplies last.

Smashburger

Get any single Smashburger for just $4.99 at participating locations.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Blazin’ Rewards members can get buy-one, get-one-free burgers all day.

Burger King

Fans can get a free cheeseburger with a purchase of $1 or more when purchasing through the BK mobile app.

DoorDash / Shake Shack

If ordering food through DoorDash on National Cheeseburger Day, customers can score $9 off a purchase of $25 or more at Shake Shack.

Whataburger

Whata deal! Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with a #5 Bacon & Cheese Whataburger, and you’ll get a free fry or onion ring. The beloved burger features bacon, American cheese, tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions and mustard.

Wahlburgers

Wahlburgers is offering 50% off all burgers on Sept. 18 in honor of National Cheeseburger Day. The offer is limited to one per customer and can’t be combined with other offers, valid in-store and online.

White Castle

Head to White Castle and get one free slider with promo code “SAYCHEESE” at checkout online or in the app from Sept. 18 to 21.

Sonic

Customers can get buy-one-get-one-free Double Smasher burgers on National Cheeseburger Day when they order through the Sonic app.

Dairy Queen

DQ is offering rewards members a free Double Original Cheeseburger Stackburger with the purchase of any app or online order of at least $1. The offer is valid between Sept. 15 and 19.

Applebee’s

For one day only, celebrate the holiday at Applebee’s with any of their 3 Classic Handcrafted Burgers — Applebee’s Classic Burger, Classic Cheeseburger or the Classic Bacon Cheeseburger — plus fries for just $8.99.

The offer is available for dine-in, to go, online or through the mobile app. Third-party delivery is not included.

Jack in the Box

It’s Burger Week at Jack in the Box, and National Cheeseburger Day marks the end of it. On Sept. 18, cheeseburger lovers can get a free Jr. Cheeseburger with $1+ order.

Sept. 18 is also the last day customers can get the fan-favorite Smashed Jack for only $5 in-store and on the Jack App.

Friendly’s

National Cheeseburger Day ends with a sweet treat at Friendly’s. Fan Club members will get a free Happy Ending Sundae with the purchase of any burger on Sept. 18.

Red Robin

There’s a juicy deal at Red Robin to celebrate the foodie occasion. The Big Yummm Burger is just $9.99 at participating locations.

The Big Yummm Burger Deal features a Red’s Double Tavern Burger with two burger patties smashed and seared on flattop grills, topped with Red’s Secret Tavern Sauce, American cheese, lettuce and tomato. Guests also have a choice of a bottomless side, such as Red Robin’s famous Steak Fries, as well as bottomless soda, lemonade or iced tea.

Freddy’s

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day with an offer that’s valid between Sept. 18 and Sept. 21 through the Freddy’s app. Those who have the reward app downloaded can snag a free Freddy’s Original Double Steakburger with a $10 purchase.

Portillo’s

Through Sept. 19, Portillo’s Perks members can snag one regular cheeseburger for 50% off — excluding double and triple cheeseburgers. New members who sign up during this time can also unlock the offer, with seven days from signing up to redeem.

Portillo’s just released a new Triple Cheeseburger from its secret menu for those who want to indulge. It’s available exclusively at kiosks in-restaurant for Perks members.

Carl’s Jr.

Celebrate your love for cheeseburgers with a half-priced Western Bacon Cheeseburger with the purchase of any large fountain drink.

Skinny Louie

Skinny Louie just opened its flagship New York location in Flatiron, and fans can celebrate with the Skinny Louie Cheeseburger, which was named Miami’s Best Burger 2025.

It features a double-stack smashburger with melted American cheese, pickles, onions and Skinny Louie’s signature house sauce, tucked into a fluffy potato bun. Skinny Louie is set to expand in New York, with locations coming to Williamsburg, West Village, Upper East Side and Penn Station through Fall/Winter 2025–26.

Burgerville

If you’re craving more than just one burger, head to Burgerville to snag $1.99 Original Cheeseburgers at every location on Sept. 18 — with up to 10 burgers per transaction.

MOOYAH

Loyalty app members with MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes can enjoy a free cheeseburger with the purchase of any burger. The offer is only valid on Sept. 18, and guests need to have downloaded the app before Sept. 18 in order the offer to appear in their account.

The Capital Grille

Elevate your National Cheeseburger Day with wagyu burgers and wine at The Capital Grille with their popular Wagyu & Wine pairing menu. The hand-crafted pairings, which start at $35, include The Capital Grille’s Wagyu Cheeseburger, Wagyu Blue Cheese and Black Truffle Burger, and Wagyu Roasted Wild Mushroom and Jarlsberg Burger.

And National Cheeseburger Day doesn’t end for a while at The Capital Grille. Guests can order from the pairing menu through Nov. 16.

BJ’s Restaurants & Brewhouse

Head over to BJ’s and get the Pizookie Meal Deal for just $13 to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day.

The deal includes the new All American Smash Burger — featuring double-smashed patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles and signature burger sauce — as well as your choice of a personal-size signature Pizookie. Fans can upgrade to a specialty Pizookie for $4.

STK Steakhouse

Celebrate like a VIP at STK with a $9.99 cheeseburger — a 7oz beef patty with American cheese, onions, lettuce, tomato and special sauce, served on a brioche bun with chips. The cheeseburger is available nationwide and for delivery.

Kona Grill

Kona has hot deals going on all day long. For customers who dine-in, get a classic cheeseburger and fries for just $10.99. Those who choose to do takeout and delivery can get the cheeseburger with chips for just $7.99.

And if you want to start your day by celebrating, Kona has a brunch special featuring the Sunrise Burger — a 4oz patty with bacon, fried egg, American cheese and special sauce on a brioche bun — served with country potatoes for just $9.99.

Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day with signature smashed burgers starting at just $8.99, each served with fries or tots and unlimited access to the Garden Bar.

Deals include the Single American Smashed Burger for $8.99, Mushroom Swiss Smashed Burger for $11.99, Loaded Guac Smashed Burger for $11.99 and the Triple Smashed Burger for $11.99.

Native Grill & Wings

Guests can head to participating locations to enjoy the Bacon Cheeseburger for just $10. Just mention the offer when dining in or use code “Cheese2025” online.