National Doughnut Day 2018: Comprehensive Guide to Freebies, Deals, and Promotional Offers

National Doughnut Day, observed annually on the first Friday in June, represents a significant promotional event for doughnut chains, bakeries, and retailers across the United States. In 2018, the holiday fell on June 1, prompting a wide array of participating brands to offer free products, discounts, and limited-time menu items. The day honors the historical contribution of The Salvation Army Donut Lassies, who served treats to soldiers during World War I, and has evolved into a major marketing opportunity for the food industry.

The scope of offers available on National Doughnut Day 2018 ranged from completely free doughnuts with no purchase necessary to "buy-one-get-one" deals and free items with beverage purchases. Participating entities included major national chains such as Krispy Kreme, Dunkin' Donuts, and Walmart, as well as regional favorites like Duck Donuts and Federal Donuts. Additionally, non-traditional food retailers, including pizza chains and fruit arrangement companies, created doughnut-themed promotions to capitalize on the holiday's popularity.

Major National Chain Offers

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme offered one of the most accessible promotions of the day. The brand provided a free doughnut of the customer's choice at participating stores in the United States and Canada. A representative from Krispy Kreme confirmed via social media that no purchase was necessary to redeem this offer. The promotion was available on June 1, 2018, allowing customers to choose between standard varieties such as the Original Glazed or chocolate iced doughnuts.

Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts structured its 2018 National Doughnut Day offer differently from Krispy Kreme. The company offered a free classic doughnut of the customer's choice, but this was contingent on the purchase of any beverage. This "purchase required" model was explicitly stated in the brand's promotional materials. The offer was valid at participating locations while supplies lasted, and it applied specifically to the classic doughnut selection.

Duck Donuts

Duck Donuts, a regional chain with locations primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, offered a free Classic Duck Donut on June 1, 2018. The promotion covered standard flavors including cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or bare (unflavored) doughnuts. Similar to Krispy Kreme, Duck Donuts' offer did not require a purchase. In addition to the free single doughnut, the brand provided a buy-one-get-one free coupon valid through June 17, 2018, for customers who visited on the holiday.

Walmart

Walmart participated in National Doughnut Day 2018 by offering free glazed doughnuts to customers at stores nationwide. Unlike specialized doughnut shops, Walmart's participation brought the promotion to a general retail environment. The giveaway was available at every Walmart location in the United States, making it one of the most geographically widespread offers of the day.

Regional and Specialty Doughnut Shops

Federal Donuts (Philadelphia)

Federal Donuts, a Philadelphia-based chain, took a unique approach to the holiday by focusing on limited-edition flavors rather than free giveaways. The brand released its "Greatest Hits" Vol. 4 collection, featuring six fan-favorite flavors available for one day only. The flavors included s'mores, churro, blueberry pancake, chocolate sea salt, French toast, and lemon ricotta. These were not offered for free but were available for purchase. The promotion included a musical theme, with each doughnut flavor paying tribute to a different musician, such as Patti Smith and Miles Davis.

Fractured Prune

Fractured Prune, a regional doughnut chain, offered one free OC Sand doughnut at participating locations. The OC Sand is a specific variety of doughnut offered by the chain. This promotion was available on June 1, 2018, while supplies lasted.

The Dapper Doughnut

The Dapper Doughnut, located in the Plymouth Meeting Mall in Pennsylvania, offered free sugared doughnuts from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on National Doughnut Day. This was a specific local promotion limited to a single retail location.

Daylight Donuts

Daylight Donuts in Raleigh, North Carolina, offered a free glazed doughnut with any beverage purchase on June 1, 2018. The promotion was valid from 5:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the Stonehenge Market location.

Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons U.S. conducted a highly specific promotion at five selected locations in Buffalo, Columbus, and Detroit. The brand offered a chance to win free doughnuts for a year to the first in-restaurant guest after 6:00 a.m. on June 1 who asked for "Gold Timbits." This was a contest-based promotion rather than a universal freebie.

Non-Doughnut Retailers and Alternative Offers

Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements participated in National Doughnut Day by introducing a new product called "Edible Donuts." These are not traditional doughnuts but rather Granny Smith apple slices cut into a doughnut shape and dipped in chocolate. The company offered one of these fruit-based items for free to customers who visited participating locations on June 1, 2018. The brand utilized social media to clarify the nomenclature, emphasizing that while they are not baked goods, they represent a fresh twist on the classic treat.

Papa John's

Papa John's pizza chain entered the doughnut market on National Doughnut Day 2018 by introducing a caramel creme-filled, cinnamon sugar-coated donut hole dessert. To promote this new menu item, the company offered a free order of donut holes with any online pizza purchase on June 1. The dessert was scheduled to remain on the menu for a limited time after the holiday.

Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter, a grocery chain, offered a discount rather than a free item. The store sold its Fresh Foods Market 6-count doughnuts for $1.97 on June 1, 2018, with a limit of two packages per customer. This was identified as a Flash Sale, and customers were advised to alert customer service if the discounted price did not ring up automatically.

Other Food and Retail Promotions

While the focus of National Doughnut Day is primarily on doughnuts, some retailers offered unrelated freebies on or around the same date.

Burger King

Burger King launched a highly limited and unusual promotion in select cities. The brand introduced the "WHOPPER® Donut," described as a WHOPPER sandwich with a hole cut in it. This item was available only at participating restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, and Salt Lake City. Customers who purchased the WHOPPER Donut received a free mini slider. The promotion was marketed as the "first flame-grilled donut."

Kwik Trip

Kwik Trip offered a freebie specifically for members of its rewards club. Details regarding the specific item were not fully elaborated in the source material, but the offer was confirmed for National Doughnut Day.

Entenmann's

Entenmann's, a packaged baked goods brand, held a contest rather than a product giveaway. The brand sought to find its next "Chief Donut Officer," with the winner receiving $5,000 and a one-year supply of donuts. The contest was launched on National Doughnut Day.

Historical Context and Industry Impact

National Doughnut Day was established in 1938 by The Salvation Army to honor the Donut Lassies of World War I. The holiday serves as a symbol of comfort and support provided by the organization. Over time, the day has transformed into a significant commercial event. According to data from Womply, a small business software provider, National Doughnut Day drives substantial foot traffic to bakeries, even if individual spending per customer does not increase significantly. This influx of customers provides a boost to local businesses.

Conclusion

National Doughnut Day 2018 offered a diverse range of promotional opportunities for U.S. consumers. The most widely available free offers came from Krispy Kreme (free doughnut, no purchase required) and Walmart (free glazed doughnut). Dunkin' Donuts and Daylight Donuts required a beverage purchase to receive a free doughnut. Regional chains such as Duck Donuts provided free doughnuts along with future purchase incentives. Non-traditional participants like Edible Arrangements and Papa John's created doughnut-themed promotions to engage with the holiday. The event also included limited-time contests and unique menu items from brands like Burger King and Tim Hortons. Participation and specific terms varied by location, and most offers were available only while supplies lasted on June 1, 2018.