National Cheeseburger Day and National Hamburger Day are annual celebrations that prompt burger chains and restaurants across the United States to offer freebies, discounts, and special promotions. For consumers in Dallas, Texas, these days provide opportunities to enjoy burgers at reduced prices or even at no cost, provided specific eligibility requirements are met. Offers typically require enrollment in loyalty programs, use of a mobile app, or specific purchasing behaviors. The following guide details verified deals and promotions available in Dallas and surrounding areas based on recent and historical data.
National Cheeseburger Day Deals in Dallas
National Cheeseburger Day is observed annually in September. In 2025, the holiday fell on Thursday, September 18. Various national and regional chains offered promotions for this date.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Hopdoddy Burger Bar ran a "Golden Ticket" promotion to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day from September 18 to September 21, 2025. * The Offer: Customers who ordered the signature Wagyu Smash burger received a golden scratch ticket. * The Prizes: Rewards included hand-spun shakes, shareable fries, exclusive Hopdoddy merchandise, and a grand prize of free burgers for a year. * Eligibility: The promotion was available in-restaurant while supplies lasted. No purchase was technically necessary to participate, though ordering the specific burger was the mechanism to receive a ticket. * Locations: Hopdoddy has locations in Dallas and Fort Worth, as well as other cities including Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Denver.
Wayback Burgers
Wayback Burgers offered specific deals on September 18, 2025. * The Offer: Customers could get a $5 classic burger all day. * Additional Offers: Through October, they offered $7.99 Cheeeesy Combos. * Eligibility: These deals were available in-restaurant, online, or through the Wayback Rewards app.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen provided a free item for loyalty members during the week of National Cheeseburger Day in 2025. * The Offer: A free Double Original Cheeseburger Stackburger. * Eligibility: The offer was valid with any app or online order of $1 or more. It was available to all DQ rewards members between Monday, September 15, and Friday, September 19, 2025.
Whataburger
Whataburger offered a side item bonus on September 18, 2025. * The Offer: A free fry or order of onion rings. * Eligibility: The offer was valid when ordering a No. 5 bacon and cheese burger. The promotion ran all day.
Smashburger
Smashburger offered a discount on the burger itself. * The Offer: Any single smashburger for $4.99. * Eligibility: Available at all participating Smashburger locations on September 18, 2025.
Burger King
Burger King offered a free burger for loyalty members. * The Offer: A free cheeseburger. * Eligibility: Available to Royal Perks members with a purchase of at least $1 through the Burger King app on September 18, 2025.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings offered a BOGO deal for its rewards members. * The Offer: Buy one, get one free burgers. * Eligibility: Available to all Blazin’ rewards members all day on September 18, 2025.
Mooyah
Mooyah, a Texas-based chain, offered a free burger for loyalty members. * The Offer: A free cheeseburger. * Eligibility: Available to loyalty members with an in-app purchase of a burger on September 18, 2025.
Portillo’s
Portillo’s offered a discount for members of its loyalty program. * The Offer: 50% off cheeseburgers or hamburgers. * Eligibility: Available to Perks members from Thursday, September 18, through Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Sonic
Sonic offered a BOGO deal via their app. * The Offer: Buy-one-get-one-free Double Smasher burgers. * Eligibility: Required ordering through the Sonic app on September 18, 2025.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s offered a discounted menu item. * The Offer: McDoubles for $0.50. * Eligibility: Available on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
NADC Burger
NADC Burger, with locations in Dallas and Fort Worth, offered a combo deal. * The Offer: An $18 combo including a signature burger and tallow fries. * Eligibility: Available from 1-6 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s offered a value meal. * The Offer: One of three Classic Handcrafted Burgers plus Classic Fries for $8.99. * Eligibility: Valid for dine-in, to-go, online, and app orders on September 18, 2025.
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
Bad Daddy’s offered a specific burger and slider combo. * The Offer: A Double Classic Smash Burger with a choice of a classic slider for $10. * Eligibility: Available for dine-in, website, or app orders on September 18, 2025.
BJ’s Restaurants & Brewhouse
BJ’s offered a burger and dessert combo. * The Offer: An All American Smash Burger with a personal-size signature Pizookie for $13. * Eligibility: Available on September 18, 2025.
Buffalo’s Café
Buffalo’s Café offered a beverage bonus. * The Offer: A free Pepsi when buying a cheeseburger. * Eligibility: Available on September 18, 2025.
National Hamburger Day Deals
National Hamburger Day is observed on May 28. Promotions for this holiday often occur around Memorial Day weekend. The following deals were reported for 2024 and 2025.
Dog Haus
Dog Haus offered a significant freebie for National Hamburger Day in 2019. * The Offer: 100 free burgers (choice of "This Burger" or "That Burger") at each location nationwide. * Eligibility: The offer was for the first 100 fans dining in on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Customers had to download and register the Dog Haus app and scan it when ordering. No purchase was necessary.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack ran a month-long promotion in May (likely 2025 based on context). * The Offer: A free burger (specifically the original ShackBurger) with a spend of $10 or more. * Eligibility: Valid from May 1 until June 1. Limited to one per customer. Orders had to be placed via the app or online with code "BURGERMONTH," or in-store.
Red Robin
Red Robin offered a contest for loyalty members. * The Offer: Entry into a contest to win free burgers for a whole year. * Eligibility: Red Robin Royalty members were automatically entered if they bought a burger and a drink during the month of May. Only 12 winners were selected.
Burger King (National Hamburger Day)
Burger King offered deals for its loyalty members on National Hamburger Day (May 28). * 2025 Offer: Royal Perks members could receive a free hamburger with a purchase of $1 or more. They could also redeem a hamburger for 125 crowns (half the usual cost). Deals required activation in the app. * 2024 Offer: Royal Perks members could get a free hamburger on Tuesday, May 28, for customers who spent at least $0.70 or more on the BK app, BK.com, or BK delivery.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s offered a heavily discounted sandwich. * 2025 Offer: A Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger for 1 cent with any purchase. Valid through June 1. * 2024 Offer: A Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger for 1 cent with any purchase on the chain’s app or website, valid through June 2.
Arby’s
Arby’s offered a discount for rewards members in 2024. * The Offer: 50% off a Deluxe Burger or Big Cheesy Bacon Burger. * Eligibility: Valid for Arby's Rewards members for online or pick-up-in-store orders through June 2.
General Rules for Redeeming Offers
Based on the provided data, several consistent rules apply to redeeming these types of food promotions:
- Loyalty Programs: Most freebies and significant discounts require membership in the restaurant’s loyalty program (e.g., DQ Rewards, Burger King Royal Perks, Wayback Rewards, Blazin’ Rewards).
- Mobile Apps: Many deals are exclusive to orders placed through the restaurant's mobile app (e.g., Burger King, Sonic, Wayback Burgers).
- Online Ordering: Some offers are valid for orders placed on the restaurant's website.
- In-Store vs. Delivery: Terms often specify whether the offer is valid for dine-in only, takeout, delivery, or all three.
- Expiration Dates: Promotions are strictly time-sensitive, often valid for a single day or a specific date range (e.g., September 18–21).
- Geographic Availability: While national chains operate nationwide, specific participation may vary by location. Users are advised to check the "Find a Location" feature on brand websites.
Conclusion
National Cheeseburger Day and National Hamburger Day provide Dallas residents with numerous opportunities to enjoy discounted or free burgers. The most valuable offers typically require proactive steps, such as downloading specific mobile applications and joining loyalty programs prior to the holiday. Consumers should verify offer details, including expiration dates and participating locations, directly with the restaurant before visiting.