The holiday that is almost certainly the favorite of Homer Simpson is fast approaching, which means its time to start planning where you will celebrate the big day.
Perhaps the strangest thing about National Doughnut Day isn't that there is one. It's that there are two.
The second takes place on Nov. 5 and has unclear historical roots.
But the more widely known National Doughnut Day is traditionally held on the first Friday in June of each year. This year it will be June 3.
National Doughnut Day been held since 1938, when the Salvation Army launched the idea as a way to raise money and awareness.
The Salvation Army had dispatched more than 250 women to France during the First World War to prepare food for soldiers on the front lines in the country. The "doughnut lassies" found that battle-tested helmets were perfect for frying up to seven doughnuts at a time.
Fast-casual chains that serve doughnuts very often give away free ones on the day. So even if doughnuts aren’t really part of your regular diet -- after all, they’re loaded with sugar, are nutritionally suspect and not very filling -- they’re nice as an occasional treat, so why not get a free one?
Dunkin
Dunkin’
If you want to feel old, think about the fact that there’s an entire generation of people who don’t know that KFC once stood for Kentucky Fried Chicken (YUM).
Similarly, Dunkin’ Donuts in 2019 became just plain old Dunkin’, as it rebranded itself as a beverage company and tried to compete more directly with coffee chains such as Starbucks. (SBUX)
But the Canton, Mass., company hasn’t forgotten where it came from, and on June 3 customers can get one free doughnut of their choice with every beverage purchase.
Lamar’s Donuts & Coffee
Last year the Denver chain Lamar’s Donuts & Coffee celebrated National Doughnut Day all that week, and it confirmed on its Facebook page that it'll be back in action this year.
Duck Donuts
This Mechanicsburg, Pa., chain is feeling generous and will give away free cinnamon sugar donuts in shops on Friday, June 3, with no purchase necessary, according to a representative.
Cumberland Farms
The convenience store will give away one free donut with every beverage purchased.
Walmart
Some Walmart (WMT) locations will give away free donuts, but the policy is not companywide.
Shipley Do-Nuts
The Houston coffee-and-donut chain will give away a free glazed donut with any beverage purchase.
Update: Krispy Kreme
The generosity of Krispy Kreme knows few bounds. Last year it made news for giving away free donuts to anyone who got a vaccine, and it recently said that it was giving away free donuts to people who graduated in 2022.
This year will be no exception, as The Kreme will celebrate Donut Day with what it calls a "Sweet New Deal."
On National Donut Day, anyone can get a free donut of choice, no purchase required, and can also get a a dozen glazed donuts for $1 with the purchase of any dozen. Maybe treat your office?
Also, until Labor Day, anytime the Hot Light is on, you can get a free original glazed donut. You can see when the Hot Light will be on by visiting Krispy Kreme’s website.
What's more, the Charlotte chain's Beat the Pump promotion will return on June 8 and run through Aug. 31. It will adjust the price of a dozen donuts to the national average of one gallon of regular gasoline.
