National Dessert Day, celebrated annually on October 14, offers consumers across the United States a unique opportunity to enjoy sweet treats at a discounted cost or for free. This day is specifically dedicated to indulging in desserts of all kinds, and many bakeries, restaurants, and confectioneries mark the occasion with special promotions. The offers typically include discounted desserts, buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deals, and freebies, though availability, prices, savings, and local participation may vary. The following information details specific deals and freebies available for National Dessert Day 2025, as well as predicted offers for the 2026 event, based on historical data and current announcements.
National Dessert Day 2025 Deals and Freebies
For the 2025 celebration on October 14, numerous national chains and regional establishments are offering promotions. It is important to note that many of these offers require enrollment in a brand’s rewards program or the use of a specific application. Consumers are advised to check with their local store or the brand’s official channels to confirm participation and availability before visiting.
Restaurant and Bakery Chains
Several prominent restaurant and bakery chains have announced specific promotions for National Dessert Day 2025. These offers often require a purchase or membership in a rewards program.
- The Cheesecake Factory: Rewards members can enjoy any dessert for ½ price from October 13–16, 2025. The offer is valid for dine-in, pick-up, or orders placed through DoorDash. Enrollment in the rewards program is required prior to the purchase.
- Krispy Kreme: Krispy Kreme Rewards members can celebrate with a free Halloween Trick-or-Treat Doughnut with any purchase. This offer can be redeemed online or in the app through the rewards account, or by showing an in-app barcode when purchasing in-store. The promotion is limited to one free doughnut per rewards member and is available through October 31, 2025.
- Dairy Queen: At certain Dairy Queen locations, customers can get $1 off any Blizzard Treat or dipped cone all week long. App users are directed to check their application for local availability and participating stores. Specific reports also indicate that some locations may offer $1 small Blizzards all day on October 14.
- Crumbl Cookies: Rewards members can receive a free cookie with any 4-pack purchase. This offer provides an opportunity to try the brand’s weekly rotating flavors.
- Baskin-Robbins: Through the Baskin-Robbins app, customers can receive $2 off any sundae or milkshake.
- McAlister’s Deli: Rewards members can receive a free dessert with any purchase of $5 or more from October 14–20, 2025. The offer is valid for single use only.
- Friendly’s: Friendly Fan Club members will receive a surprise offer in their account to celebrate National Dessert Day on October 14.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes: Customers can score a BOGO free Bundtlet by using the promo code OCTBOGO25 at online checkout. For in-store purchases, customers must show their email barcode at the bakery. This offer is limited to one coupon per guest and is valid at participating locations through Sunday, October 19, 2025.
- Perkins: Perkins is offering a buy-three, get one free deal on their holiday donuts for National Dessert Day.
- Fazoli’s: Fazoli’s is offering a buy-one-get-one free offer on Italian Donuts from October 14–19, 2025. This can be redeemed online or in-store at participating locations using the promo code SWEET25.
Other Retail and Food Service Establishments
Additional businesses outside of major restaurant chains also participate in National Dessert Day promotions.
- Beef-A-Roo: This establishment offers $1 desserts at its locations in celebration of National Dessert Day.
- Beef O’Brady’s: Customers can enjoy half off a dessert with any purchase at participating locations.
- Buster’s Ice Cream: In celebration of the day, Buster’s Ice Cream offers $2 off sundaes.
- Publix Bakery: Publix often provides BOGO deals or markdowns on fresh bakery desserts like cakes, cookies, and pies for National Dessert Day. Consumers are advised to check their local ad or digital coupons before shopping.
- Cold Stone Creamery: My Cold Stone Club Rewards members can enjoy exclusive coupons and surprise dessert discounts around National Dessert Day. Offers can be found by logging into an account or checking the app.
- Fabrizia Lemon Baking Company: Readers of TODAY.com can save 20% off Limoncello baked goods on the Fabrizia Lemon Baking Company website using the code Desserts.
- Gopuff, Kilwins: Specific deal details for these establishments for the 2025 event are not fully detailed in the provided source material, though they are mentioned as participants.
Predicted National Dessert Day Deals for 2026
Based on historical patterns from previous years, predictions can be made for the types of deals that may be available for National Dessert Day in 2026. It is important to recognize that these are predictions and not confirmed offers. The next National Dessert Day will take place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Freebirds World Burrito: A predicted BOGO deal when using a specific promo code.
- Gopuff: A predicted discount on Doughlicious products.
- Krispy Kreme: A predicted offer for Rewards members to receive a FREE Halloween Trick-or-Treat doughnut with any purchase.
- McAlister's Deli: A predicted offer for rewards members to receive a free dessert with any purchase.
- Noodles & Company: Rewards members may anticipate a free dessert with any regular entree purchase.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes: A predicted BOGO free Bundtlets offer when using a specific promo code.
- Taco Cabana: A predicted offer for rewards members to receive free small Sopapillas with the purchase of two or more tacos.
Key Considerations for Consumers
To maximize savings and ensure a smooth experience on National Dessert Day, consumers should keep several factors in mind.
Enrollment Requirements
Many of the most valuable offers are exclusive to members of a brand’s rewards program or app. For offers from The Cheesecake Factory, Krispy Kreme, Crumbl Cookies, McAlister’s Deli, Friendly’s, and Cold Stone Creamery, prior sign-up is necessary. Consumers should download the relevant app or create an online account well before October 14 to be eligible.
Geographical and Participating Location Variability
A significant factor in deal availability is local store participation. National chains often allow individual franchise owners to decide whether to participate in a promotion. The source material consistently advises customers to check with their local store to confirm participation before visiting. This is particularly relevant for offers from Dairy Queen, Fazoli’s, and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Purchase Requirements and Limits
Several offers are not entirely free but require a purchase. For example, the Krispy Kreme offer requires any purchase to receive the free doughnut. The McAlister’s Deli offer requires a purchase of $5 or more to receive a free dessert. Additionally, many offers have limits, such as one free doughnut per member at Krispy Kreme or one coupon per guest at Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Validity Periods
While National Dessert Day is a single day, many promotions extend beyond October 14. The Cheesecake Factory’s offer runs from October 13–16, Fazoli’s through October 19, Nothing Bundt Cakes through October 19, McAlister’s Deli through October 20, and Krispy Kreme through October 31. This provides a window for redemption beyond the official day.
Conclusion
National Dessert Day on October 14 provides a structured opportunity for U.S. consumers to enjoy desserts at a reduced cost or for free, thanks to promotions from a wide array of restaurants and bakeries. The 2025 event features specific, verifiable offers from brands like The Cheesecake Factory, Krispy Kreme, Dairy Queen, and others, many of which are tied to rewards programs or mobile apps. For 2026, historical data suggests similar types of deals, including BOGO offers and free items with purchase, from brands such as Freebirds World Burrito and Noodles & Company. The most critical action for consumers is to verify participation with local establishments, ensure any required app or rewards program enrollment is completed in advance, and understand the specific terms, including purchase requirements and validity periods, for each offer.