National Burger Month is celebrated annually throughout the month of May, with National Hamburger Day specifically recognized on May 28. During this period, numerous U.S. restaurant chains and eateries offer special promotions, limited-time menu items, and discounts to honor the iconic American burger. The deals range from free items with purchase to discounted pricing on specific menu offerings, often requiring enrollment in a rewards program or the use of a promotional code. Participation and availability may vary by location, and many offers are valid for a limited time.
Key Dates and Restaurant Promotions
Several chains have announced promotions for National Hamburger Day (May 28, 2025) and the surrounding National Burger Month celebration. Offers typically require specific actions, such as joining a loyalty program, ordering through a particular channel, or using a promo code.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack is celebrating National Burger Month with a promotion running through June 1, 2025. Customers can receive a free ShackBurger with a minimum purchase of $10. To redeem, the promo code BURGERMONTH must be entered in all capital letters during checkout. This offer is valid for orders placed at an in-restaurant kiosk, for delivery or pick-up via the Shake Shack app, or at shakeshack.com. The free burger is specifically the ShackBurger during the week of May 28.
Burger King
Burger King offers a free hamburger to Royal Perks members with any $1+ purchase on May 28, 2025. The deal is available through the Burger King app or online. Users must be a member of the chain's rewards program and can find the offer under the "Offers" tab in the app.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is offering an extended deal from May 26 through June 1, 2025. Rewards members can buy one Signature Stackburger at regular price and get a second for $0.99. This promotion is available through the DQ Mobile App.
Smashburger
On May 28, 2025, Smashburger offers any Single (not Double) burger for $5.28. This deal can be claimed in-store, or through Smashburger’s website or app by using the promo code JUST528.
Krystal
Krystal offers $1 sliders on May 28, 2025, to celebrate National Hamburger Day. The promo code KRYSTALDAY must be used when ordering online or through the Krystal app.
Red Robin
Red Robin has a month-long promotion for National Burger Month. Red Robin Royalty rewards members are automatically entered into the "Burgers for a Year Sweepstakes" when they purchase a burger and beverage while logged into their account. This includes dining in, ordering online, or using the mobile app. The sweepstakes entry is valid throughout May.
Other Restaurant Deals
Several other restaurants have announced deals for May 28, 2025, and the surrounding period: * Wayback Burgers: Offers a $5 Classic Burger on May 28, with a limit of two per account/person. The deal is valid at participating locations for in-restaurant and all ordering channels, except third-party delivery services. * Checkers & Rally: Offers The Cheese Double for $3 on May 28. * Logan’s Roadhouse: On May 28, offers a Real Deal Meal including the Original Roadies (three mini burgers) for $11.99 or the All-American Cheeseburger for $12.99, both with a salad, side, and drink. * Perkins: Offers The Great American Burger Trio—a cheeseburger, fries, and a slice of pie—for $9.99 during National Burger Month in May. * Friendly’s: New members of the Friendly’s Fan Club loyalty program can get a free Founder’s Burger through May 31, 2025. * Farmer Boys: VIF (Very Important Farmer) Members can get a Big Cheese burger for $4 on May 28 by signing up for their rewards app. * Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard: Their Big Daddy Bacon Cheeseburger will be discounted to $8 on May 28. * TGI Fridays: All burgers are $10 for dine-in customers on May 28. * Wendy’s: From May 28 to June 1, 2025, a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger is available for $1 with any purchase in the Wendy’s app.
National Burger Month Limited-Time Menu Items
Beyond standard discounts, some restaurants are introducing limited-time burger creations for National Burger Month.
Emmy Squared
Emmy Squared introduced the Le Bleu Burger for National Burger Month. It features a double-stack of half-pound Braveheart grass-fed Black Angus beef (chuck, brisket, short rib blend) with blue cheese crumbles, thick-cut bacon, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, and house-made Sammy sauce on a toasted pretzel bun.
Empanada Harry’s
Empanada Harry’s is offering a Bacon Cheeseburger Empanada, available only in May.
Latin Cafe 2000
Latin Cafe 2000 is offering BOGO Cheeseburgers and BOGO Fritas (Cuban burgers) all month long, available for dine-in and delivery throughout May.
Morton’s Steakhouse
For National Burger Month, Morton’s Steakhouse offers a burger made with three Wagyu beef patties, melted cheddar, house-made burger sauce, dill pickles, and grilled red onions on a brioche bun. It can be paired with a side of Matchstick Fries or Thick-Cut Onion Rings. A special wine pairing is also offered.
Red Robin
Red Robin is featuring a limited-time Backyard BBQ Pork Burger, described as capturing the flavors of a classic backyard barbecue.
National Burger Month Events
Some events are scheduled for National Burger Month, particularly in 2026 as noted in the source material.
- Hamburger House Party 2026: Scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 7–10 PM at the Mad Arts Museum in Dania Beach, Florida. Tickets were noted to be on sale soon.
- Bourbon, Burger and BEAST Dinner: This pairing dinner is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 6–8 PM at the MAI-KAI. Tickets were noted to be on sale soon.
Important Considerations for Consumers
When seeking National Burger Month deals, consumers should note several important details:
- Participating Locations: Many offers are valid only at participating locations. It is advisable to confirm with a local restaurant before visiting.
- Loyalty Program Requirements: Several deals require enrollment in the restaurant's rewards or loyalty program (e.g., Burger King Royal Perks, Red Robin Royalty, Dairy Queen Rewards).
- Ordering Channels: Specific offers may be restricted to certain ordering methods, such as in-app purchases, online orders, or in-store kiosks. Some deals explicitly exclude third-party delivery services.
- Promo Codes: Offers like those from Shake Shack, Smashburger, and Krystal require the use of a specific promo code at checkout.
- Purchase Requirements: Some deals require a minimum purchase (e.g., Shake Shack's $10 minimum for a free burger) or the purchase of another item (e.g., Burger King's free hamburger with any $1+ purchase).
- Limits: Some promotions have limits per account or person, such as Wayback Burgers' two-burger limit.
- Time-Sensitive: All deals are for a limited time, primarily centered around May 28, 2025, with some extending through early June or the entire month of May.
Conclusion
National Burger Month and National Hamburger Day provide U.S. consumers with a variety of promotional opportunities from participating restaurant chains. These promotions include free items with purchase, discounted menu items, and limited-time creations. To take advantage of these deals, consumers often need to join a restaurant's loyalty program, use a specific promotional code, and order through designated channels such as a mobile app or website. Availability is subject to location and terms, so checking with individual restaurants for participation and specific offer details is recommended.