National Chocolate Milkshake Day 2025 Complete Guide To Free And Discounted Offers

National Chocolate Milkshake Day on September 12 presents an opportunity for milkshake enthusiasts across the United States to indulge in their favorite treat through various promotional offers and freebies. This annual celebration has become a significant occasion for restaurant chains and local establishments to attract customers with special deals. While the exact year varies across sources, with some specifying 2025 and others not mentioning a year at all, the celebration consistently occurs on September 12. This comprehensive guide examines the available free and discounted milkshake offers from national chains and local establishments to help consumers maximize their National Chocolate Milkshake Day experience.

Understanding National Chocolate Milkshake Day

National Chocolate Milkshake Day is celebrated annually on September 12, commemorating the popular chocolate beverage. The holiday provides restaurants an opportunity to promote their milkshake offerings through special promotions. While some sources indicate the celebration will occur in 2025, other references do not specify a year, creating some ambiguity about the exact timing of the upcoming celebration.

The milkshake originated as a staple in early 1900s lake shops, where they were made with malt powder. Over time, milkshakes have evolved into a treat enjoyed by people of all ages, ranging from healthier versions to gourmet creations. The traditional chocolate milkshake typically consists of chocolate syrup and ice cream swirled together, though many establishments now offer creative variations that incorporate additional ingredients and flavors.

National Chain Offers

Several national restaurant chains participate in National Chocolate Milkshake Day with special promotions:

Shake Shack partners with DoorDash to offer free chocolate milkshakes through their app and website. The promotion is available between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM on September 12. Customers must use the promo code "SHACK" at checkout to redeem the offer. This partnership is part of DoorDash's "#ShackWeek" celebration, which also includes a free cheeseburger promotion for National Cheeseburger Day.

McDonald's provides a free medium frappe, shake, or sundae with any purchase made through their mobile application on National Chocolate Milkshake Day.

Arby's offers a free creamy creme brulee custard shake with a caramel swirl to celebrate the occasion.

Baskin Robbins provides customers with 50% off their entire order when using the coupon code "JUMPB" on National Chocolate Milkshake Day.

Ben and Jerry's runs a promotion where customers who purchase a gift card for $10 or more receive a free scoop of ice cream, though this is not specifically a milkshake offer.

Cold Stone Creamery invites new customers to join their eClub to receive two Creations for the price of one, which could include milkshake-style treats.

Dairy Queen allows customers to upgrade their $5 lunch with a small Blizzard for just $1 extra on National Chocolate Milkshake Day.

Dippin' Dots offers 20% off purchases with the coupon code "GIVEME20" on September 12.

Sonic provides half-price slushies and shakes after 8:00 PM on National Chocolate Milkshake Day.

Steak 'N Shake offers half-price shakes and drinks during their happy hour from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Wendy's promotes 50 cent Frosties for a limited time around National Chocolate Milkshake Day.

Local and Regional Specials

In addition to national promotions, several local and regional establishments offer specials for National Chocolate Milkshake Day:

MilkShake Factory locations, including their Uptown Charlotte store at 100 W 3rd Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, celebrate with a Buy One, Get One Free deal on Classic Chocolate Milkshakes. The promotion is available from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The establishment creates hand-spun milkshakes with house-made ice cream and small batch chocolates.

Ben & Jerry's in Davidson, North Carolina (located at 202 S Main Street) offers an upgrade to a large size for any chocolate milkshake flavor purchased on September 12. This promotion is available from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM and is specific to the Davidson location.

Culver's in University City, Charlotte (7031 University City Blvd) provides $1 off medium and large chocolate shakes on September 12. This location-specific promotion was advertised through a Facebook ad.

Burger 21 in Ballantyne, Charlotte (14825 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite 160) offers chocolate milkshakes for $3 on National Chocolate Milkshake Day. The offer is exclusively available through the Patty Perks app.

Craveables Cafe celebrates National Chocolate Milkshake Day with special milkshake creations, though specific promotional details are not provided in the source material. The cafe offers various chocolate-inspired milkshakes, including a Chocolate Hazelnut Milkshake described as "the perfect emulsion of chocolate hazelnut spread and your favourite classic ice-creams." Their menu also features a KitKat Milkshake made with chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and crushed KitKat bars. Additional milkshake flavors include Oreo, Biscoff, and Strawberry varieties.

Tips for Maximizing Milkshake Day Deals

To make the most of National Chocolate Milkshake Day promotions, consumers should consider the following:

1. Timing: Many offers have specific time windows. For example, Shake Shack's promotion is only available between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, while Sonic's half-price shakes begin after 8:00 PM. Planning visits according to these timeframes ensures eligibility for deals.

2. Digital Access: Several promotions require mobile apps or online ordering. McDonald's and Burger 21 specifically require their respective apps to access deals, while Shake Shack's offer is available through the DoorDash app or website.

3. Location Specificity: Some offers are limited to specific locations. For instance, Ben & Jerry's Davidson location offers the large size upgrade, while Culver's University City location provides the $1 discount. Checking with individual locations is recommended.

4. Combining Offers: While most promotions likely cannot be combined, DoorDash's promotion includes free delivery for orders over $12 when using the "SHACK" code, potentially allowing customers to add other items to their order at no additional delivery cost.

5. Verification: Due to potential discrepancies in promotional details, customers should verify offers with specific locations before visiting, as promotions may change or have unadvertised restrictions.

Conclusion

National Chocolate Milkshake Day on September 12 provides numerous opportunities for consumers to enjoy their favorite treat at reduced costs or for free. From national chains like Shake Shack and McDonald's to local establishments such as MilkShake Factory and Culver's, the variety of promotions allows milkshake enthusiasts to find deals that suit their preferences and locations. While some sources indicate the 2025 celebration, others do not specify a year, suggesting this may be an annual event. By planning visits according to specific timeframes, utilizing required apps or codes, and verifying location-specific details, consumers can maximize their savings and enjoy the rich, chocolatey goodness of milkshakes on this special day.

Sources

1. MilkShake Factory BOGO Offer

2. Shake Shack DoorDash Promotion

3. National Chocolate Milkshake Day Deals

4. Craveables Cafe Milkshakes

5. MilkShake Factory Charlotte Details

6. Charlotte Area Milkshake Day Deals