National Bagel Day, observed annually on January 15, is a food holiday dedicated to celebrating the iconic ring-shaped bread. The date was established in 2019 following a nationwide vote held by Thomas’ Bagels, shifting from a previous February 9th date. This holiday prompts a wide array of promotions from national chains, local bakeries, and grocery stores, offering consumers opportunities to enjoy free bagels, discounted combinations, and special purchase incentives. The following article provides a comprehensive overview of the deals, eligibility requirements, and participating brands based on information from 2026 and projected offers for 2027, as documented in the provided source material.
Historical Context and Consumer Preferences
The cultural significance of bagels is underscored by their long history, originating in the 13th century and migrating to the United States in the 19th century. The term "bagel" derives from Polish and Yiddish words for ring-shaped bread. A 2026 survey of 1,000 consumers conducted for Einstein Bros. Bagels’ "State of the Bagel Report" identified the top five bagel flavors in the U.S.: plain (number one), Asiago (number two), everything (number three), six cheese (number four), and cheddar jalapeño (number five). For cream cheese spreads, the most popular flavors were plain cream cheese (number one), garden veggie (number two), honey almond (number three), and jalapeño salsa (number four). These preferences inform the types of bagels and spreads featured in National Bagel Day promotions.
National Bagel Day 2026: Verified Deals and Eligibility
Based on documented offers for January 15, 2026, the following deals were available at participating locations. It is important to note that offer details, prices, savings, and local participation may vary by location.
Restaurant and Bakery Chains
Several national chains offered specific promotions for rewards members or with purchase requirements.
- Biggby Coffee: Customers could receive a bagel and cream cheese for $1 with the purchase of any 20-ounce or 24-ounce specialty beverage on National Bagel Day.
- Bruegger’s Bagels: Members of the Bruegger's Rewards program were eligible for a free bagel and cream cheese with any purchase. New members who signed up online were also able to access this deal at participating locations.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Customers who mentioned "National Bagel Day" when ordering in-bakery could receive a free Bagel & Schmear with any purchase. This offer was valid at participating locations and could not be combined with other discounts.
- H&H Bagels: Members of the H&H Rewards loyalty program could get a free bagel and spread sandwich. The deal was available when ordering online or in the app, or by having the offer scanned at the register in-store.
- Manhattan Bagel: A free bagel and cream cheese was offered with any purchase.
- Panera Bread: The promotion for National Bagel Day involved a buy-one-get-one-free offer on Asiago Bagel Stacks. Customers who purchased an Asiago Bagel Stack could get a second stack of their choice for free using the code BOGOSTACK.
- Spread Bagelry: The first 50 guests in stores on National Bagel Day received a free bagel with cream cheese.
Grocery and Supermarket Chains
Retailers offered buy-one-get-one (BOGO) free deals on specific bagel brands.
- Albertsons: BOGO free on Thomas’ Bagels.
- Kroger: BOGO free on Thomas’ Bagels.
- Publix: BOGO free on Dave’s Killer Bread Bagels.
- Stop & Shop: GO Rewards members could get a free bakery bagel. The offer had a limit of one bagel per household and required checking in on the GO Rewards account.
Additional 2026 Offers
Other documented promotions included:
- Bagel Boss: An extra 15% off on orders made through Goldbelly using the promo code BD15.
- Barry Bagels: Rewards members could get a free bagel with cream cheese when purchasing a bagel with cream cheese or flavored cream cheese and any drink (limit one per customer).
- Goldbergs Fine Foods: A free bagel with cream cheese was included with any purchase.
- Noah’s NY Bagels: Rewards members could get a free bagel and shmear by signing up for the rewards program.
- Sheetz: $2 off any breakfast sandwich from the Made-to-Order menu, available in the Sheetz app under the OFFERZ tab. This offer was valid from January 15 to January 19 and was limited to one use per My Sheetz Rewardz member.
Projected Offers for National Bagel Day 2027
Based on patterns from previous years, several brands are expected to offer promotions for National Bagel Day 2027, which will fall on Friday, January 15. The following projections are based on documented offers from prior events and should be verified with the respective brands as the date approaches.
- Albertsons: Likely to offer BOGO free on Thomas’ Bagels.
- Bagel Boss: Expected to provide an extra 15% off on orders through Goldbelly.
- Barry Bagels: Anticipated to offer a free bagel with cream cheese for rewards members with the purchase of a bagel with cream cheese and a drink.
- Biggby Coffee: Projected to offer a bagel and cream cheese for $1 with the purchase of a 20-ounce or 24-ounce specialty beverage.
- Bruegger’s Bagels: Expected to provide a free bagel and cream cheese for rewards members with any purchase.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Likely to offer a free Bagel & Schmear with any purchase when mentioning "National Bagel Day."
- Goldbergs Fine Foods: Projected to give all guests a free bagel with cream cheese with any purchase.
- H&H Bagels: Expected to offer a free bagel spread sandwich for H&H Rewards members when ordering online or in-store.
- Kroger: Likely to have a BOGO deal on Thomas’ Bagels.
- Manhattan Bagel: Anticipated to provide a free bagel with cream cheese for eClub members with any purchase.
- Noah’s NY Bagels: Projected to offer rewards members a free bagel and schmear.
- Panera Bread: Expected to have a National Bagel Day deal, though specific details were not documented.
- Publix: Likely to offer BOGO free on Dave’s Killer Bread Bagels.
- Stop & Shop: Projected to offer GO Rewards members a free bakery bagel with no purchase necessary.
- Target: May have a National Bagel Day deal, though specific details were not documented.
- THB Bagelry & Deli: Expected to give THB rewards members a free bagel and cream cheese with any in-app purchase.
Key Considerations for Consumers
When participating in National Bagel Day promotions, consumers should be aware of several factors to ensure a smooth experience.
Program Enrollment and Membership
Many of the most valuable offers, particularly free items, are exclusive to rewards program members. For example, Bruegger’s Bagels, H&H Bagels, Noah’s NY Bagels, and Manhattan Bagel require membership in their respective loyalty programs. New members are often eligible for these deals, and sign-up can typically be completed online or via a mobile app prior to the holiday. It is advisable to enroll in relevant programs in advance to avoid missing out on time-sensitive offers.
Purchase Requirements
Several promotions are structured as "free with purchase." For instance, Biggby Coffee’s $1 bagel requires the purchase of a specific beverage size, and Barry Bagels’ free bagel requires the purchase of a bagel with cream cheese and a drink. Consumers should carefully review the terms of each offer to understand the minimum purchase necessary to qualify for the discount or freebie.
Geographic and Location Variability
Participation in National Bagel Day deals can vary by location. While national chains often run standardized promotions, individual franchise owners or local bakeries may have the discretion to participate or modify offers. The sources note that "participating establishments" and "participating locations" are key qualifiers. Consumers are advised to check with their local store or the brand’s official website or app for confirmation of participation and specific terms.
Offer Stacking and Restrictions
Some promotions cannot be combined with other discounts or offers. For example, the Einstein Bros. offer explicitly states it cannot be combined with other discounts. Additionally, limits are often placed on offers, such as one per customer or one per household, as seen with Barry Bagels and Stop & Shop. Understanding these restrictions helps manage expectations and ensures compliance with offer terms.
Timing and Validity
While National Bagel Day is on January 15, some promotions may have extended validity periods. For example, the Sheetz offer for $2 off a breakfast sandwich was valid from January 15 through January 19. Checking the validity period is important, especially for offers that require app-based redemption or specific order methods.
Conclusion
National Bagel Day serves as an annual opportunity for U.S. consumers to access a variety of free and discounted bagel offers from national chains, local bakeries, and grocery retailers. The promotions range from free bagels with purchase or membership to BOGO deals at supermarkets. Key to maximizing savings is understanding the eligibility requirements, which often include enrollment in a brand’s rewards program or making a qualifying purchase. Based on historical data, consumers can anticipate similar promotions for the 2027 holiday, though specific details should be verified closer to the date. By reviewing the documented offers and considering factors such as membership, purchase requirements, and location variability, consumers can effectively plan to celebrate National Bagel Day.