Learn more fun facts on the National Junk Food Day Video Page.
- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- ActivitiesFast FoodFun
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every July 21
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍟
National Junk Food Day invites everyone to indulge in their favorite treats every July 21. This special day is a guilt-free pass to enjoy delicious snacks, fast food, and desserts without reservation. Embrace the joy of your preferred comfort foods, share your indulgences, and savor every bite.
Want to sponsor National Junk Food Day? Learn how
Expected National Junk Food Day Deals
As National Junk Food Day approaches, expect a flurry of promotions from major fast-food chains and snack brands. In previous years, establishments like McDonald’s and Burger King have offered discounted menu items or buy-one-get-one deals. Look for Domino’s and Pizza Hut to roll out special pizza and side offers, while snack giants like Lay’s and Doritos might feature limited-edition flavors or multipack discounts at grocery stores. Keep an eye on convenience stores such as 7-Eleven for deals on candy and chips. Even ice cream parlors like Dairy Queen and Baskin-Robbins are likely to join in with sweet promotions. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 21 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Junk Food Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalJunkFoodDay. Share mouth-watering photos or reels of your favorite indulgent treats.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalJunkFoodDay. Film a ‘what I eat in a day’ junk food edition or a taste test challenge.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalJunkFoodDay. Tweet about your ultimate junk food combo or debate the best snack food.
National Junk Food Day Hero
Ray Kroc
National Junk Food Day timeline
The first fish and chips shop opens at Tommyfield Market in Oldham, England.
Berlin-based Max Sielaff invents the first automat, which serves simple food and drinks.
Joseph Horn and Frank Hardart bring an automat and, along with it fast food, to New York City.
White Castle begins its franchise by opening its first fast-food hamburger stand in Wichita, Kansas.
Vernon Rudolph launches donut and coffeehouse chain Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
McDonald’s opens its first franchise.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Junk Food Day
Local businesses can embrace National Junk Food Day with creative promotions. Restaurants and diners might offer ‘build-your-own’ burger or dessert bars with extra toppings. Bakeries could feature over-the-top cupcakes or giant cookies. Convenience stores can create special bundles of popular snacks and drinks at a discount. Encourage customers to share their indulgent choices on social media for a chance to win gift cards or free treats.
National Junk Food Day FAQs
When is National Junk Food Day?
National Junk Food Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, July 21, inviting everyone to enjoy their favorite guilty pleasures. It’s the perfect mid-week excuse to treat yourself.
What is the most popular junk food in America?
While preferences vary, potato chips consistently rank among America’s most popular junk foods, with billions of dollars in sales annually. Their versatility and wide range of flavors make them a perennial favorite.
How much does the junk food industry make?
The broader snack food industry, which includes many junk food categories, generates hundreds of billions of dollars globally each year. In the U.S. alone, the market for savory snacks is a multi-billion dollar segment.
What are the health risks associated with junk food?
While enjoyable in moderation, frequent consumption of junk food can lead to health issues such as weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure due to its high sugar, salt, and fat content.
National Junk Food Day Activities
Eat your favorite junk food
This is the easiest and most fun way to participate in National Junk Food Day. Craving chips? Pie? French fries? Pick whatever your heart desires and chow down. Today those calories don’t count!
Share your junk food on social media
Junk Food Day is the perfect time to indulge — and brag about it at the same time. Take a picture of those chocolate bourbon cupcakes you had for lunch and Instagram it. Don’t forget to use hashtag #NationalJunkFoodDay
Throw a junk food party
The only thing that’s better than getting to eat junk food is getting to eat it with your friends. Invite some over for a junk food potluck party. No green leafy foods allowed, just everyone’s favorite cheesy, fatty, carby foods.
Why We Love National Junk Food Day
No calorie counting
Do you count carbs or calories? On Junk Food Day, you’re off the hook. Skip the salad and go straight for the meat-lovers pizza. Sure, your fat-free frozen yogurt is tasty, but today get the double fudge ice cream without feeling any guilt.
Everyone’s cheating
There’s always that one coworker in the break room eating a healthy salad while you're snacking on nachos. You don’t have to worry about them today because they’re (secretly) indulging in Junk Food Day, too.
It allows you to satisfy that craving
Cravings are an overwhelming sensation of desire for a certain food. Junk food cravings sometimes occur when the brain's opioids and dopamine react to the benefit of high-calorie foods. This is why studies have shown that when we're stressed, we're more likely drawn towards things like cakes and sweets. While eating junk food is not the way you should always deal with stress, National Junk Food Day gives you the perfect excuse (just for a day.)
Social Media Tips for National Junk Food Day
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