National Burger Day

National Burger Day 2026: Best Deals, Free Burgers, and Dates (UK & US)

Celebrating in the UK? National Burger Day is Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Celebrating in the USA? National Hamburger Day (often called National Burger Day) is Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Whether you are a grill master firing up patties at home or hunting for burger day deals at your favorite chain, this guide covers the key dates, history, plant‑based trends, and the best ways to score free or discounted burgers in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Quick Facts (USA)

Quick Facts (UK)

Burger Holiday Calendar (US & UK)

To truly own the “burger” topic cluster, you need all three of the big burger holidays on one page:

If your readers search “burger day” or “cheeseburger day,” this calendar makes your article the hub for all related dates.

What is National Burger Day?

For US readers, National Burger Day is usually another name for National Hamburger Day on May 28—a food holiday that celebrates the classic hamburger and, unofficially, the start of summer grilling season.
For UK readers, National Burger Day is a separate event held on the Thursday before the August bank holiday, with a strong focus on restaurant discounts and burger‑led marketing campaigns.

Despite the transatlantic timing split, the core idea is the same: celebrate everything about burgers, from smashed burger patties on brioche buns to plant‑based creations that look and taste like the real thing.

History of the Burger: From Fairgrounds to Fast Food Icons

The story of the hamburger is one of the most hotly debated topics in American food history, with several contenders claiming to be the first to put a ground beef patty between bread or a bun.

The main origin stories

• Louis Lassen (Louis’ Lunch, New Haven, Connecticut)
  One of the best‑known claims credits Louis Lassen, a Danish immigrant who ran a lunch wagon in New Haven in the late 1800s. According to this story, a hurried customer needed something quick and portable, so Lassen sandwiched a broiled beef patty between two slices of toast. Louis’ Lunch still operates today and promotes itself as the birthplace of the hamburger.
• Charlie Nagreen (“Hamburger Charlie,” Seymour, Wisconsin)
  Another famous story comes from the 1885 Seymour Fair in Wisconsin. Young vendor Charlie Nagreen was selling meatballs, but fairgoers wanted something easier to eat while walking. He allegedly flattened his meatballs into patties, placed them between bread, and called them “hamburgers,” inspired by the German city of Hamburg. Seymour now hosts a burger festival and brands itself the “Home of the Hamburger.”
• The Menches Brothers (Hamburg, New York)
  Frank and Charles Menches, traveling food vendors, also claim credit. At a fair in Hamburg, New York, they reportedly ran out of pork and switched to ground beef, seasoning it and serving it in a sandwich. Because the fair took place in Hamburg, they named the new creation the “hamburger.”
• Fletcher Davis (“Old Dave,” Athens, Texas)
  Another narrative credits Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas, who is said to have served ground beef patties on bread with mustard and onions in the 1880s and later took his creation to the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, where many Americans encountered the hamburger at scale.

How the burger went global

While the true inventor may never be settled, most food historians agree that the burger took off in the early 20th century, especially after the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair gave it national exposure.
Fast‑food pioneers like White Castle (founded 1921) and later McDonald’s (1940) turned the hamburger into a global symbol of quick, consistent, and affordable food.

In the UK, burgers became pub and high‑street staples in the late 20th century, and the launch of Mr. Hyde’s National Burger Day in 2013 formalized a dedicated celebration on the Thursday before the August bank holiday.

National Burger Day Meaning (US & UK)

United States

In the US, May 28 is widely listed as National Hamburger Day, and many people casually refer to it as National Burger Day.It caps off National Hamburger Month in May and doubles as an unofficial start to summer cookouts, backyard barbecues, and grill‑master season. Most celebrations revolve around:

• Firing up the grill at home for classic patties and smashed burgers
• Visiting favorite chains in cities like NYC, LA, Chicago, and Austin for burger deals
• Trying gourmet builds with brioche buns, specialty cheeses, and creative toppings

United Kingdom

In the UK, National Burger Day has a more restaurant‑centric focus. Launched by Mr. Hyde in 2013, it quickly grew into a big marketing event where participating restaurants offer around 20% off burgers on the Thursday before the August bank holiday.

London, Manchester, Birmingham, and other major cities host pop‑up events, special menus, and burger‑themed nights at popular chains and independents.

National Burger Day 2026 Deals & Free Burgers

Search intent for “National Burger Day deals,” “burger day deals,” and “burger deals for National Burger Day” is split between US and UK audiences. This section keeps both on the page by clearly separating Global Giants from Regional Favorites and explaining how to claim each deal pattern.

Global Giants (Patterns from Recent Years)

Exact 2026 offers will be confirmed closer to the date, but these are realistic patterns based on recent National Hamburger Day and National Burger Day promos. Always verify in the official app or website before you publish specifics.

US Burger Day Deals (May 28, 2026)

For US readers searching “deals for National Burger Day” or “burger king national hamburger day deals,” focus on the national chains that reliably participate:

Encourage users to check apps a few days early and again on May 28, especially in large metro areas like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Miami, where chains test more aggressive promotions.

UK Burger Day Deals (August 27, 2026)

In the UK, National Burger Day is all about restaurant participation, especially in London and Manchester:

The Rise of the Plant‑Based Burger

No modern burger guide is complete without acknowledging the plant‑based wave. National Burger Day now includes vegans and vegetarians through plant‑based patties that mimic the taste and texture of beef.

Plant‑based trends to mention

• Impossible Burger & Beyond Burger leading the “bleeding burger” trend in US chains and some UK restaurants.
• Pub and casual‑dining menus in London, Manchester, NYC, and LA offering vegan brioche buns, dairy‑free cheese, and meat‑free patties as standard options.
• Fast‑food icons like Burger King testing or rolling out plant‑based Whoppers and similar offerings in both the US and UK.

This makes National Burger Day attractive to a wider audience and positions your content as inclusive and up‑to‑date.

Anatomy of the Perfect Burger

You can support this section with a simple “Anatomy of the Perfect Burger” visual for engagement (ideal as an infographic image).

Key layers to reference in text:

• Toasted brioche bun (slightly sweet, holds juices)
• Properly seasoned patty (80/20 beef or plant‑based equivalent; many prefer smashed burger style for crispy edges)
• Cheese (American, cheddar, or a creative option like blue cheese)
• Toppings: lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, bacon, jalapeños
• Sauces: classic ketchup/mustard combo, house “special sauce,” or aioli

Alt text suggestion for the illustration: “Anatomy of the perfect burger with brioche bun, smashed patty, cheese, and toppings for National Burger Day 2026.”

How to Celebrate National Burger Day 2026

At Home (US & UK)

• Host a backyard grill‑off and crown a neighborhood grill master.
• Experiment with different patty blends (beef–pork mix, lamb burgers, plant‑based patties).
• Try international twists: smash burgers, sliders, stuffed “Juicy Lucy” burgers, or spicy Mexican‑inspired builds.

Dining Out in Major Cities

• London & Manchester: Explore burger‑focused restaurants that run limited‑time specials for National Burger Day—many participate in the Mr. Hyde tradition of discounted burgers.
• New York City & Los Angeles: Hit big‑name chains and local institutions; look for app‑only offers and special toppings on May 28.

For Cheeseburger Fans

Remind readers that National Cheeseburger Day on September 18 has its own wave of deals and celebrations, especially in the US, where adding cheese turns a “burger day” into a “cheeseburger day”

National Burger Day & Related Dates (Next 10 Years)

National Hamburger Day (USA) – May 28

National Burger Day (UK) – Thursday before August Bank Holiday

National Cheeseburger Day (US) – September 18

• Always falls on September 18.

You can add a simple note like: “Check each year’s weekday if you plan office cheeseburger runs or weekend grill parties.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is National Burger Day the same as National Hamburger Day?
In the United States, May 28 is officially known as National Hamburger Day, but many people and some calendars label it as National Burger Day, and the terms are often used interchangeably. In the United Kingdom, National Burger Day is a separate holiday held on the Thursday before the August bank holiday.

Is National Burger Day the same as National Cheeseburger Day?
No. National Burger Day / National Hamburger Day celebrates all burgers, with or without cheese, while National Cheeseburger Day on September 18 specifically honors burgers topped with cheese.

What is the 1‑cent Wendy’s deal?
In 2025, Wendy’s ran a special where customers could get a 1‑cent Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger with any purchase from May 28 through June 1 via the Wendy’s app, aligned with National Hamburger Day. Similar promotions may return in 2026, so it’s worth checking the app as May 28 approaches.

Do UK and US celebrate National Burger Day on the same date?
No. The UK celebrates National Burger Day on the Thursday before the August bank holiday (August 27 in 2026), while the US celebrates National Hamburger Day on May 28.

Are plant‑based burgers part of National Burger Day?
Absolutely. Many restaurants in both the US and UK offer plant‑based patties, vegan cheese, and dairy‑free sauces, and they are often included in National Burger Day promotions.