National Donut Day 2022: Where To Get The Best Food Freebies And Deals

Look, you don't need a special day to tuck into a box of donuts. We know it, you know it, and our nation's donut purveyors certainly do, too. But that doesn't change the fact that National Donut Day (June 3) is a fabulous excuse to drop what you're eating and replace it with a piece of fried dough, be it jelly-filled, icing-glazed, or old-fashioned. It's also a good opportunity to acquire a new party fact, which, in this case, takes the form of a story from the 1930s. 

According to The Salvation Army, the holiday started in Chicago in 1938 as a tribute to the charity organization's "Donut Lassies," who "supported [American] troops on the front lines" during World War I. During the war, these volunteers would "set up small huts located near the front lines" to provide soldiers with clothing and other supplies, as well as baked goods. Short on baking equipment, two resourceful ladies had the idea to fry donuts in the soldiers' helmets, which apparently "boosted morale and won the hearts of many soldiers." In the next world war, the "Donut Lassies" returned to the trenches to provide soldiers with coffee and donuts once again. 

Now, National Donut Day is a tribute to anyone who enjoys pillowy sweets, which we'd venture to guess is most people. If you can't find a helmet in which to fry a batch of homemade donuts, read on for a list of donut places slinging sweet deals for the holiday. 

We hear that "American runs on Dunkin'," so it's only natural that the multinational chain would want to get in on the action for National Donut Day. On June 3 only, participating locations across the country are offering customers a free classic donut of their choice with the purchase of any beverage. 

If you're unfamiliar with Dunkin's menu, the brand's classic flavors include Strawberry-Frosted, Cinnamon Sugar, Jelly Donut, chocolate and vanilla Marble-Frosted, Apple Crumb, Blueberry, Chocolate Kreme, Bavarian Creme, and more.

Even multi-billion-dollar corporations can run out of supplies (just look at Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza), so Dunkin' fans would be wise to make haste to their nearest location come June 3.

The classic glazed Krispy Kreme donut looks unassuming, but loyal fans will assure you that the formula is unlike any other. The taste experience is in the name: The signature donut is crispy upon the first bite as Krispy Kreme's famous glaze cracks open, giving way to a uniquely creamy, cloud-like dough. 

The chain also has a host of additional flavors to choose from, and it's giving customers one free donut of their choice with any purchase on June 3. 

On top of that, Business Wire reports that this summer, the chain is giving customers one free original glazed donut during "Hot Light hours," which are Sunday to Thursday and Friday to Saturday from 6 am to 11 am and 4 to 10 pm.

Going on a weekend road trip? Pop into a 7-Eleven when you stop for gas, because the convenience chain is slinging a buy-one-get-one-free deal on its sugary pink-glazed donuts (which are already a pretty good deal at two bucks a pop). 

The deal is available to 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores. Plus, if you miss the boat on National Donut Day, you're in luck: The deal will last through June 5, per QSR.

Jelly-filled evangelists, move aside; this one is for all the cake donut loyalists out there. While supplies last, the North Carolina-based chain Duck Donuts — which offers customizable, old-fashioned treats amid beachy decor — is giving customers one free cinnamon sugar donut on June 3 with or without a purchase, per Bake Mag. What's more, participating locations will be selling a plush toy version of the chain's mascot, Ollie, who is naturally dressed for a day at the beach. 

Those who crave more than a single free donut can participate in the chain's sweepstakes for the chance to win a dozen donuts by following @duckdonuts on Instagram, tagging them in "the most creative, crave-able and beautiful-looking donut photos" from June 2-5 and tacking on the hashtag #MyDuckDonuts in the caption. 

Shipley Do-Nuts has come a long way from its humble beginnings in Houston in 1936. The chain now has more than 300 locations in nine states, per Restaurant Business. And as with Krispy Kreme, people are nuts about its classic glazed option. 

Per Bake Mag, the chain is giving away a free signature glazed donut (ahem, do-nut) with any purchase on June 3. Supplies will only last from 5 am to noon (or earlier, depending on the location). Late sleepers, you've been warned.