National Doughnut Day 2018 Complete Guide To Free Donuts And Special Deals

National Doughnut Day, celebrated annually on the first Friday in June, has become a highly anticipated event for pastry enthusiasts across the United States. In 2018, the holiday fell on June 1st and was marked by numerous promotional offers and freebies from major chains, regional shops, and local bakeries. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the free donuts and special deals available to consumers during National Doughnut Day 2018, based on verified information from participating businesses.

History and Significance of National Doughnut Day

National Doughnut Day has a rich historical background that dates back to 1938 when it was established to honor The Salvation Army Donut Lassies. These women served donuts to soldiers during World War I, providing comfort and support to troops in the field. According to Lt. Col. Ward Matthews, Salvation Army secretary for national community relations and development, "The doughnut was and continues to be a symbol of the comfort and support that The Salvation Army provides to more than 23 million people in need each year."

The holiday has evolved from its charitable origins into a major marketing opportunity for donut shops and bakeries across the country. As Brad Plothow, vice president of brand and communications for Womply, noted, "People don't spend more but far more people pack into bakeries looking for a treat, resulting in lots more dough for local bakeries." This commercialization of the holiday has led to increasingly generous offers and creative promotions as businesses compete for customer attention.

Participation in National Doughnut Day can vary significantly by location, with offers available only at participating locations and subject to availability while supplies last. Despite these limitations, the 2018 celebration saw widespread participation from national chains, regional operators, and independent bakeries alike.

Major Chain Offers

Several national chains participated in National Doughnut Day 2018 with generous free offers and special deals. These promotions formed the centerpiece of the holiday celebration and drew significant crowds to participating locations.

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme maintained its reputation for generous giveaways by offering one completely free doughnut of each customer's choice on June 1, 2018. The company began promoting this offer in advance, with a tweet on May 25, 2018, asking followers, "Decision you'll have to make on #NationalDoughnutDay: Original Glazed or Chocolate Iced? Decision you won't have to make: Cash or card? Get a FREE doughnut June 1!" This promotion was available at participating Krispy Kreme locations throughout the United States and Canada, with no purchase required.

Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts offered a slightly different promotion, requiring the purchase of any beverage to receive a free classic donut of choice. The company promoted this offer through its official channels, with a tweet on May 30, 2018, confirming the details. Like most other offers, this was available at participating locations nationwide while supplies lasted. Dunkin' has traditionally structured its National Doughnut Day promotions this way, using the holiday to drive beverage sales while still providing a free treat to customers.

Duck Donuts

Duck Donuts distinguished itself by offering a completely free donut with no purchase necessary. Customers could choose from the chain's classic flavors: bare, cinnamon sugar, or powdered sugar. Additionally, Duck Donuts sweetened the deal by providing each customer with a buy-one-get-one-free doughnut coupon valid through June 17, 2018. This two-part promotion offered both immediate gratification and future value, encouraging repeat visits beyond the holiday itself.

Walmart

Walmart joined the National Doughnut Day celebration by offering free glazed donuts to customers at all of its locations across the United States. This marked the first time the retail giant had participated in the holiday with a free donut promotion, demonstrating the increasing commercial importance of the occasion. The offer was available to all customers shopping at Walmart stores on June 1, 2018, with no purchase required.

Papa John's

While primarily known for pizza, Papa John's capitalized on National Doughnut Day by offering a free order of donut holes with any online pizza purchase on June 1, 2018. The company also used the holiday to introduce a new menu item: a caramel creme-filled, cinnamon sugar-coated donut hole dessert that would remain available for a limited time after the holiday. This dual promotion combined immediate free product sampling with the introduction of a new permanent menu addition.

Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements entered the National Doughnut Day fray with a unique offering: free "Edible Donuts." These were not traditional pastries but rather fresh Granny Smith apples cut into donut shapes and dipped in chocolate. The company promoted this new product heavily in advance, with multiple tweets clarifying that while these might not be traditional donuts, they were "Edible®" and available for free at participating locations. This creative interpretation of the donut concept allowed Edible Arrangements to participate in the holiday while staying true to its core business of fresh fruit arrangements.

Regional and Local Offers

Beyond the national chains, numerous regional and local bakeries participated in National Doughnut Day 2018 with their own unique promotions. These offers provided consumers with opportunities to discover local businesses while enjoying free treats.

Daylight Donuts

Daylight Donuts offered a free glazed doughnut with the purchase of any beverage on June 1, 2018, during limited hours from 5:00 AM until 12:00 noon. The specific location mentioned was at Stonehenge Market, 7550 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, though other locations may have participated as well. Details about this promotion were available on the company's Facebook page.

Dapper Doughnut

In the Philadelphia area, Dapper Doughnut located in the Plymouth Meeting Mall gave away free sugared donuts from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on National Doughnut Day. This extended availability compared to many other offers allowed customers flexibility in when they could claim their free treat.

Fractured Prune Donuts

Fractured Prune participated by giving out free OC Sand donuts all day long. This regional chain with locations primarily in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States used the holiday to introduce customers to its signature product, which features a unique preparation method that results in a lighter, less greasy donut than traditional varieties.

Harris Teeter

The grocery store chain Harris Teeter offered a special on doughnuts rather than a free item, with Fresh Foods Market 6-count doughnuts priced at $1.97 on June 1. There was a limit of two 6-count purchases per customer. This was described as a Flash Sale that might not have had in-store signage, with instructions that if the items didn't ring up at the promotional price, customers should mention the sale posted on the company's Facebook page to have it honored.

Special Promotions and Contests

Several businesses went beyond simple free donut offers, creating special contests and unique promotions to generate excitement around their National Doughnut Day participation.

Tim Horton's

Tim Horton's US created a highly interactive promotion at five specially selected locations in Buffalo, Columbus, and Detroit. Customers who were the first in-restaurant guests after 6:00 AM on June 1st and asked for the "Gold Timbits®" had the chance to win free donuts for a year. No purchase was necessary for this contest, which generated significant buzz on social media and drove early morning traffic to participating locations.

Burger King

Burger King launched an unusual and extremely limited promotion on National Doughnut Day 2018 with the introduction of the "WHOPPER® Donut." This product was described as "the first flame-grilled donut ever" and essentially consisted of a WHOPPER® sandwich with a hole cut in it. The promotion was available only at select restaurants in five cities: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, and Salt Lake City. Each WHOPPER® Donut purchase came with a "free" mini slider, adding additional value to the novel offering.

Entenmann's

The packaged donut brand Entenmann's held a contest to find its next Chief Donut Officer. The winner of this contest would receive $5,000 and a one-year supply of donuts. While not an immediate free donut offer, this promotion generated significant online engagement and provided an opportunity for consumers to connect with the brand beyond purchasing products in stores.

Kwik Trip

The convenience store chain Kwik Trip announced a freebie for members of its rewards club, though specific details about the offer were not fully detailed in the source material. This targeted promotion rewarded the company's most loyal customers while encouraging continued engagement with the rewards program.

Tips for Maximizing National Doughnut Day Opportunities

Based on the 2018 promotions, several strategies emerged for consumers looking to maximize their National Doughnut Day benefits:

1. Plan Ahead: Many businesses announced their promotions in advance through social media and their websites. Following favorite brands on platforms like Twitter and Facebook allowed consumers to stay informed about specific offers and requirements.

2. Check Participation: Offers were only available at participating locations, which could vary even within the same chain. Calling ahead or checking the company's website helped ensure that a specific location was offering the promotion before making a special trip.

3. Understand Requirements: Some offers required a purchase (like Dunkin' Donuts' beverage requirement), while others were completely free. Understanding these terms in advance helped consumers plan their visits accordingly.

4. Arrive Early: For limited-time or limited-quantity offers like Tim Horton's contest, arriving early increased the chances of receiving the promotion or special items.

5. Explore Local Options: While national chains drew significant attention, local and regional bakeries often offered unique promotions and allowed consumers to discover new businesses in their area.

6. Check for Additional Offers: Some promotions included additional value beyond the immediate free item, such as Duck Donuts' BOGO coupon or Papa John's introduction of a new menu item.

Conclusion

National Doughnut Day 2018 demonstrated the holiday's evolution from its charitable origins into a significant commercial opportunity for businesses across the food service industry. The wide variety of offers—from simple free donuts to creative reinterpretations of the classic pastry—showcased the ingenuity of companies in leveraging the occasion for marketing purposes.

For consumers, the day provided numerous opportunities to enjoy free treats and discover new products and businesses. While participation varied by location and offers were subject to availability, the sheer number of promotions made it possible for most consumers to find at least one free donut option in their area.

As the holiday continues to grow in popularity, both consumers and businesses can expect increasingly creative and generous offers in future years. The 2018 celebration established a high standard for participation and variety that will likely influence how the holiday is observed in subsequent years.

Sources

1. WRAL - National Doughnut Day Freebies and Deals on June 1
2. Philly Mag - Friday Is National Donut Day, and You Know What That Means
3. El Paso Times - National Donut Day 2018 in El Paso: Where to find free doughnuts and deals
4. Snopes - National Doughnut Day Freebies and Discounts
5. 6ABC - Freebie Friday: National Donut Day, Grilled Cheese and Workouts
6. ABC7 NY - Free Donuts: National Donut Day Deals and Freebies