National Cheeseburger Day 2026 deals and freebies: McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and more

Americans are celebrating National Cheeseburger Day on Friday, September 18, 2026, with various freebies and deals from fast food chains including McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Five Guys. The occasion also serves as an opportunity to explore the origins of the cheeseburger, which evolved within the United States. One primary inspiration is traced back to German immigrants in the late 1840s who introduced frikadellen, a dish consisting of cooked chopped beef, contributing to the burger's development.