National Burger Day
August 21
About National Burger Day
National Burger Day is an annual food celebration dedicated to one of the world’s most popular dishes. In the United Kingdom, National Burger Day falls on the last Thursday of August, coinciding with the Bank Holiday weekend, a tradition established in 2013 and now observed by restaurants, pubs, and burger enthusiasts across the country. In the United States, the date of 21 August is observed as National Burger Day, giving Americans their own dedicated annual moment to celebrate this iconic dish.
What is National Burger Day?
National Burger Day is a food observance that celebrates the hamburger in all its forms, from the classic beef patty in a bun to plant-based versions, gourmet artisan creations, and fast food staples. The day is embraced by restaurants, food brands, and home cooks alike, typically marked by special menus, discounts, promotional deals, and social media activity centred on burgers. It is both a consumer occasion and a marketing moment for the food industry.
When is National Burger Day?
In the United States, National Burger Day is observed on 21 August each year. In the United Kingdom, National Burger Day falls on the last Thursday of August, which places it in the same general period of the calendar and links it to the August Bank Holiday weekend. Both dates serve the same purpose: to give burger lovers a focal point for celebration and to encourage the food industry to engage its customers with themed events.
Why it Matters
The burger is one of the most consumed foods on the planet. In the United States alone, approximately 50 billion burgers are eaten annually, and close to 60 per cent of all sandwiches sold worldwide are hamburgers. The burger industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in agriculture, food processing, hospitality, and retail. Beyond its economic significance, the burger holds a unique cultural place as a symbol of both everyday convenience and culinary creativity. In recent years, the rise of gourmet and artisan burger restaurants has elevated the dish from fast food staple to a respected part of fine dining culture.
National Burger Day also reflects broader trends in food culture: the growing market for plant-based burger alternatives, the renewed interest in locally sourced and sustainably produced ingredients, and the global spread of burger culture beyond its American origins. The day provides a natural moment to discuss not only the joy of eating burgers, but also questions of sustainability, animal welfare, and the future of protein in the global food supply.
How to Get Involved
There are many ways to participate in National Burger Day:
- Visit a local burger restaurant and take advantage of any special offers or limited-edition menu items.
- Cook your own burger at home, experimenting with different patty combinations, toppings, sauces, and bun styles.
- Try a plant-based burger if you have not already, exploring the growing range of meat-free and vegan options now available.
- Share your burger on social media using the hashtag #NationalBurgerDay to join the online conversation.
- Support local independent burger joints in your area rather than only using large chains, helping to sustain local food businesses.
History of the Burger
The origins of the hamburger are a matter of some historical debate. The dish takes its name from Hamburg, Germany, where a style of minced beef patty was popular among emigrating German workers in the nineteenth century. These workers brought their culinary traditions with them to the United States, where the dish evolved into the burger as it is known today.
Various American cities and families claim to have served the first hamburger in a bun. The Menches brothers, who ran a food stall at fairs in the 1880s, are among those credited with the innovation of placing a minced beef patty between two slices of bread. By the early twentieth century, the burger had become a fixture at American diners and lunch counters. In 1921, White Castle became the first fast food chain to sell burgers, pricing them at five cents each.
The post-war boom in American car culture drove the rise of the drive-through and the fast food burger chain, with McDonald’s becoming the defining global brand from the 1950s onward. The burger spread worldwide through the expansion of American fast food chains, but also through local adaptations in countries around the world.
In the United Kingdom, National Burger Day was created in 2013 by Mr Hyde, a lifestyle publishing brand, with the aim of giving Britain its own dedicated burger celebration. The day has grown steadily since its founding and is now one of the most commercially significant food days in the UK hospitality calendar, driving significant foot traffic to restaurants on the designated Thursday.
Noteworthy Facts
- Americans eat an average of three burgers per week, according to industry estimates.
- The world’s most expensive commercially available burger has been priced at several thousand dollars, featuring wagyu beef, truffle, and gold leaf.
- McDonald’s serves approximately 69 million customers in more than 100 countries every day, with burgers as the core of its menu.
- Plant-based burgers now represent a multi-billion dollar market globally, with brands such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods having achieved mainstream supermarket distribution.
- The burger’s popularity has inspired its own subset of food tourism, with dedicated burger trails, festivals, and competitions held around the world.
- Some of the most influential chef-driven burger restaurants have achieved Michelin recognition, reflecting the dish’s elevation within contemporary food culture.
Hashtags
#NationalBurgerDay #BurgerDay #Burger #Hamburger #BurgerLovers
When is National Burger Day?
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 August |
| 2027 | TBC |
| 2028 | TBC |
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