A photo of a Burger King cheeseburger. National Cheeseburger Day is on Thursday, Sept. 18.

Hamburgers are the most popular American dish, but topping it with your favorite cheese takes it to another level. So of course, there's a National Cheeseburger Day, which happens to be on Thursday, Sept. 18, following National Hamburger Day, which took place on May 28.

According to YouGov's ranking of The Most Popular American Dishes, hamburgers and cheeseburgers take first and sixth place on the list, respectively, separated by classics such as French fries, grilled cheese, fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

Americans eat an estimated 50 billion burgers each year. Nearly three-fourths of burger lovers (74%) say they typically top their burger with cheese, YouGov found.

While there's no historic significance to National Cheeseburger Day arriving annually on Sept. 18, some dispute remains about the burger's birth. Pasadena, California, claims to be its birthplace, with a 16-year-old short-order cook serving the first one more than 100 years ago in a roadside hamburger stand there. Other spots claiming the cheeseburger's birthright include Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville in 1934, credited with naming it a "cheeseburger."

Whatever the origin of the cheeseburger, if you are craving one, many restaurants and burger joints have deals and specials on them Sept. 18.

McDonald's National Cheeseburger Day deal

McDonald's is offering a 50-cent Double Cheeseburger on Sept. 18 to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day. The offer will be available exclusively through the McDonald's app, the company said in a news release provided to USA TODAY.

The burger behemoth offered the same deal for National Cheeseburger Day last year and called it "one of our most popular offers" in the news release.

Burger King week of deals includes National Cheeseburger Day

Members of the fast food chain's Royal Perks free loyalty program can get a free bacon cheeseburger with a purchase of $1 or more on Thursday, Sept. 18. Burger King has more deals throughout the week.

All of this week's deals from Burger King's Royal Perks program:

  • Sept. 17: Free Croissan'wich with a purchase of $1 or more
  • Sept. 18: Free Bacon Cheeseburger with a purchase of $1 or more
  • Sept. 19: Free Whopper Jr. with a purchase of $1 or more
  • Sept. 20: Free cheeseburger with a purchase of $1 or more
  • Sept. 21: Free Original Chicken Sandwich with a purchase of $1 or more

White Castle offers deal for National Cheeseburger Day

White Castle is offering customers a buy-one-get-one free Cheese Slider deal from Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 21, the company told USA TODAY.

There is a limit of one free slider per customers. Customers can redeem the offer by using code "SAYCHEESE," according to a news release.

Buffalo Wild Wings offers BOGO deal on National Cheeseburger Day

Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards members can celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with a special deal: Buy one burger and get a second burger of equal or lesser value for free.

The one-day offer is available for dine-in, takeout or delivery on Sept. 18. Customers can sign up anytime to unlock the deal.

SONIC offers Smasher BOGO deal for National Cheeseburger Day

Sonic customers can buy one Double Sonic Smasher and get a second one free when ordering through the Sonic App on Sept. 18, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

DoorDash, Shake Shack collaborate for National Cheeseburger Day deal

Customers can score $9 off any order of $25 or more when they order Shake Shack for delivery via DoorDash on Thursday, Sept. 18, the companies said in a news release.

Whataburger offers free fries or onion rings with purchase on National Cheeseburger Day

Whataburger is offering customers free fries or onion rings of any size on Sept. 18 when they order the No. 5, the Bacon & Cheese Whataburger. Customers can claim their free side by ordering through the Whataburger app or online.

The burger features bacon and American cheese over a perfectly seasoned patty, topped with tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions and a touch of mustard, according to the burger chain.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers offers free burger with purchase on National Cheeseburger Day

Customers who have the Freddy's rewards app downloaded will get a free Freddy's Original Double Steakburger with any purchase of $10 or more, according to the burger chain.

The deal is valid from Sept. 18 through Sept. 21 and is only available through the Freddy's app, the company said.

Applebee's offers burger deal in honor of National Cheeseburger Day

Applebee's is offering customers any of its Classic Handcrafted Burgers, plus fries, for just $8.99 on Sept. 18, the company told USA TODAY. The offer is available only on Sept. 18 and can be redeemed for dine-in, to go, online at Applebees.com or through the Applebee's app.

Customers can choose between the Applebee's Classic Burger, Classic Cheeseburger or the Classic Bacon Cheeseburger. Each burger is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles on a brioche bun.

Red Robin offers deal on Big Yummm Burger for National Cheeseburger Day

Red Robin is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day by offering customers the Big Yummm Burger Deal for just $9.99 at participating locations on Sept. 18.

The deal features a Red's Double Tavern Burger, a choice of bottomless side and a bottomless soda. The Red's Double Tavern Burger features two burger patties topped with Red's Secret Tavern Sauce, American cheese, lettuce and tomato.

Wayback Burgers offers deal on National Cheeseburger Day

Wayback Burgers is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18 by offering customers $5 Classic Burgers, the company said in a news release. The offer is available in-restaurant, online or through the Wayback Rewards app.

Dairy Queen offers deal for National Cheeseburger Day

Dairy Queen is offering customers a free Double Original Cheeseburger Stackburger with any app or online order of $1 or more from Sept. 15-19 in honor of National Cheeseburger Day.

The deal is available exclusively to existing and new DQ Rewards members, the company told USA TODAY.

Checkers & Rally's offers Big Buford deal on National Cheeseburger Day

From Sept. 16-18, Checkers & Rally's customers can get the signature Big Buford burger for just $3 at participating locations nationwide, while supplies last.

Portillo's offers half off cheeseburgers for National Cheeseburger Day

From Sept. 15-19, Portillo's Perks members can get 50% off one regular cheeseburger, the company said in a news release.

New members who sign up during this time will also unlock the offer, with seven days from signup to redeem. Double and triple cheeseburgers are excluded from the offer, the company said.

Ruby Tuesday offers deal on lineup of burgers for National Cheeseburger Day

Ruby Tuesday is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18 by offering its lineup of smashed burgers at discounted prices all day.

The restaurant chain is offering the following deals:

  • $8.99 Single American Smashed Burger: A single juicy beef patty topped with American cheese, shredded lettuce and onion; make it a double for $10.99
  • $11.99 Mushroom Swiss Smashed Burger: Two beef patties topped with melted Swiss cheese, roasted baby portabella mushrooms, Caesar dressing, shredded lettuce and onion.
  • $11.99 Loaded Guac Smashed Burger: Two smashed patties topped with cheddar cheese, guacamole, bacon pieces, crispy jalapeños and shredded lettuce.
  • $11.99 Triple Smashed Burger: Three layers of juicy beef patties with American, Swiss, and cheddar cheeses, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and mayo.

Each burger is served with fries or tots and includes unlimited access to Ruby Tuesday's Garden Bar, which features fresh greens, vegetables and premium toppings and dressings.

Carl's Jr. offers half-priced burger for National Cheeseburger Day

Customers can celebrate National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18 at Carl's Jr. with a half priced Western Bacon Cheeseburger with the purchase of any large fountain drink, the company told USA TODAY.

Contributing: Mike Snider & James Powel, USA TODAY

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Cheeseburger Day 2025: Score deals at McDonald's, Burger King, more

Reporting by Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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