Learn more fun facts on the National Donut Day Video Page.
- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- DessertFoodSweet Food
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- First Friday of June
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍩
National Donut Day lights up the calendar every first Friday in June, celebrating the beloved fried dough confection. It’s a day to indulge in your favorite sweet treats, from classic glazed to frosted and filled varieties. Be sure to visit your local donut shop, grab a box (or two!), and share the joy with friends and family.
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Expected National Donut Day Deals
National Donut Day is a prime occasion for major chains to offer enticing promotions. While we wait for official 2027 announcements, history shows that brands like Dunkin’ and Krispy Kreme reliably offer free donuts with a purchase, or even entirely free treats. Regional favorites such as Shipley Do-Nuts and Tim Hortons also join in with special deals. Look for local bakeries and grocery stores like Entenmann’s to feature discounts on their beloved baked goods. Many smaller, artisanal shops like Voodoo Doughnut and Top Pot Doughnuts often create limited-edition flavors for the day. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 4 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Donut Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalDonutDay. Share quick videos of your favorite donut shop visits or creative donut-themed recipes.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalDonutDay. Post mouth-watering photos of your donut haul or a fun reel of friends enjoying their treats.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalDonutDay. Share local donut shop recommendations and photos of your family’s favorite flavors.
National Donut Day Hero
Helen Purviance
History of National Donut Day
At one point or another in our lives, we’ve found ourselves craving a donut. When we think about it, it’s not really a surprise that this treat hits the spot like no other. They pair exceptionally well with tasty hot beverages, they can be had as a quick snack or to accompany a long conversation. Most of all, there’s a donut out there for all of us; from traditional glaze to daring recipes such as maple-bacon donuts.
The origins of National Donut Day are traced to the Salvation Army’s involvement in World War I. During this time, a group of volunteers was dispatched to the frontlines with the mission of providing comforting meals for the troops. They soon found out that donuts were an effective way to provide food while navigating the difficulties of cooking in very dire circumstances. These brave volunteers would later be known as “donut lassies”. They would even use war helmets as a utensil to fry up seven donuts at a time.
In 1938, National Donut Day was established as a way to honor the members of the Salvation Army that came to the aid of soldiers during World War I. Nowadays, National Donut Day is widely celebrated on the first Friday of June. Many donut shops are known to give them out for free, giving a good reason to take some time out of the day to enjoy this most cherished treat.
National Donut Day timeline
One of the earliest accounts of donuts are attributed to Dutch settlers that brought them over to New York.
The Salvation Army sets up canteens in the frontlines of World War I to provide care and donuts for soldiers.
Adolph Levitt, a refugee from Russia designs a gadget to help him keep up with the demand for donuts at his shop.
"The Simpsons" is aired for the first time and the world is introduced to Homer, a true donut lover.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Donut Day
Local coffee shops and bakeries can offer special donut flavors or discounts to draw in customers. Restaurants might feature donut-inspired desserts or offer a free donut with a breakfast purchase. Food trucks could create unique, limited-edition donut creations to generate buzz and social media sharing.
National Donut Day - Survey Results
Data gathered by a top Food and Beverage PR Agency
AMERICA’S TOP 10 FAVORITE DONUT CHAINS
#1: Krispy Kreme (41%)
#2: Dunkin’ Donuts (40%)
#3: Shipley Donuts (4%)
#4: Tim Hortons (3%)
#5: Voodoo Donuts (3%)
#6: Daylight Donuts (3%)
#7: Entenmann’s Donuts in my own kitchen (3%)
#8: Winchell’s Donuts (2%)
#9: Lamar’s Donuts (1%)
#10: Honey Dew Donuts (1%)
Traditions of the Day
The traditions for National Donut Day are simple; eat as many donuts as you can, in as many varieties and flavors as possible. But seriously, this is exactly how the day is traditionally celebrated every year. The donut has come a long way, and is now available in so many delightful variations, how can one resist not trying them all? Whether it is jam-filled donuts, or Bavarian cream, or a good old chocolate glazed original, donuts are enjoyed and celebrated by children and adults alike all over the country.
Food marketing agencies love National Donut Day and donut franchises have deals on their menu as well as special donut flavors prepared just for this day. There is a lot of competition for cops at donut shops, with lines of people clamoring to get their donut fix. Donuts are also cooked at home — a great activity for the family, especially for the kids, who get to decorate their donuts with different icings and toppings.
By the Numbers
10 billion – the number of donuts made in the U.S. each year.
10 – the number of people living in America with ‘Donut’ as their surname.
13 – the number of people who have ‘Donut’ as their first name.
2480 – the city of Boston has one donut shop for every 2,480 people.
20 – the number of donuts Renée Zellweger ate every day to gain weight for the sequel of “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”
9 – the Guinness World Record for the most powdered donuts eaten in three minutes.
201.02 million – the number of donuts consumed by Americans in 2020.
100,000 – the number of donuts churned out by Entenmann’s every hour.
3,660 – the number of donuts it will take to reach the top of the Statue of Liberty.
55 million – the number of donuts it would take to get from Long Beach, California, to Long Island, New York.
National Donut Day FAQs
When is National Donut Day?
National Donut Day 2026 falls on Friday, June 5, offering a sweet start to the weekend for donut lovers across the country.
How many donuts are eaten annually in the U.S.?
Americans consume approximately 10 billion donuts each year, with many enjoying their favorite varieties for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
What is the history of National Donut Day?
National Donut Day originated in 1938 in Chicago as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army, honoring the ‘Donut Lassies’ who served donuts to soldiers in WWI.
What is the difference between a donut and a doughnut?
‘Doughnut’ is the traditional and preferred spelling in many parts of the world, while ‘donut’ is a simplified, Americanized spelling that gained popularity in the mid-20th century.
National Donut Day Activities
Go on a donut adventure
Visit a local donut shop but don’t go for your usual, instead allow yourself to experiment with different flavors
Share the love
Pick out a variety of donuts to share with your teammates, neighbors or clients that visit your business. A sweet treat queue can go a long way.
Fry ‘em up
Making your own donuts can be an exciting experience to share with friends and family. Tap into your creativity by choosing an array of toppings.
5 Delicious Facts About Donuts
Dutch settlers had a different name for them
They called them “olykoeks”, which translates to, oily cakes.
They didn’t always have a hole
These first versions were simply made up of a fried dough, omitting their now characteristic shape.
They exist in math
In geometry, the shape of a donut is known as a Torus.
There’s a lot of them
It’s estimated that 10 billion donuts are sold in the United States.
Donuts can be luxurious
A donut filled with champagne and topped with 24 karat gold can be purchased for hefty fee.
Why We Love National Donut Day
The possibilities are endless
Specialty donut shops keep opening throughout the world, each one combining local tastes and ingredients to this timeless masterpiece.
They’re kind to your pocket
Even though donut prices can vary greatly, they are generally still an affordable simple pleasure.
Donuts go with the fashion
It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, you can always find a donut that fits the season. A few examples are candy cane topped for Christmas or summery lemon meringue donuts.
Social Media Tips for National Donut Day
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