National Cheeseburger Day falls annually on Sept. 18, and this year, restaurants are celebrating the holiday with freebies and discounts.
Numerous theories about the cheeseburger's origins trace back to the 1920s, according to National Day Calendar. One account claims that Lionel Sternberger created the cheeseburgerin 1926 while employed at his father's sandwich shop, The Rite Spot, in Pasadena, California. During an experiment, he allegedly dropped a slice of American cheese onto a hot hamburger.
According to the National Day Archive, Americans consume 50 billion burgers a year, and the average American eats a hamburger three times a week.
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Here are some deals to look out for on National Cheeseburger Day in Tennessee.
National Cheeseburger Day deals 2026
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Buy one regular-priced cheeseburger and get a second burger of equal or lesser value for free. Use code BURGERDAY.
- Burger King: Burger King Royal Perks members can use the app or website to score a free Bacon Cheeseburger with a $3 purchase on Sept. 18.
- Checkers & Rally's: Checkers is giving burger fans two days to celebrate with one of its most iconic burgers for just $3. On Sept. 17 and 18, guests can score a Big Buford for only $3 at participating local Checkers restaurants.
- Firebird's Wood Fired Grill: Join Firebirds' Inner Circle loyalty program before National Cheeseburger Day and get a $10 welcome gift redeemable when dining Sept. 18.
- Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: From Sept. 18 to Sept. 20, get 50% off any Freddy's Triple Steakburger, excluding the Prime. Get the deal in the Freddy's Rewards app (offer valid for drive-thru, in-restaurant dining, pickup and delivery).
- Five Guys: Through Sept. 18, enter code BOGOBURGER at checkout to get one burger free. The deal only works online or through the Five Guys app.
- Krystal: On Sept. 18, with any $5 purchase in the Krystal app, you can get two free Original or Cheese Krystals.
- McDonald's: Customers can get a free Double Cheeseburger with any $1 purchase at participating McDonald’s restaurants.
- Red Robin: The casual dining restaurant chain is giving customers a chance to win free burgers on National Cheeseburger Day. On Sept. 18, go to Red Robin’s Instagram or Facebook page and comment on the National Cheeseburger Day post, or fill out an entry submission online. The social media post and entry form will go live on Sept. 18 for a chance to win, while supplies last.
- Ruby Tuesday: For National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18, the restaurant chain is offering several burgers and sandwiches with fries or tots for $6.99. Choices include Ruby’s Cheeseburger and the Impossible Burger.
- Shake Shack: Get a $5 single ShackBurger or single Cheeseburger with a qualifying purchase, using code BURGERDAY on the Shack app, the website or an in-restaurant kiosk.
- Sonic: Get a Jr Double Cheeseburger for $1.99 when you order in-store or via the Sonic app on Sept. 18.
- Wahlburgers: On Sept. 17, one day ahead of National Cheeseburger Day, the chain founded by Donnie Wahlberg, Mark Wahlberg and Executive Chef Paul Wahlberg will offer 50% off its signature "Our Burger" all day.
- Wendy's: Wendy’s Rewards loyalty program members can add a Dave’s Single Cheeseburger for $1.99 with any purchase on Sept. 18. Find the offer in the Wendy's app or on the website.
Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal and Tennessee. She can be reached at jordan.green@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: National Cheeseburger Day 2026 deals and freebies in Tennessee
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