National Cheeseburger Day
September 18
About National Cheeseburger Day
National Cheeseburger Day takes place every year on 18 September, and in 2026 it falls on a Friday. The day celebrates one of the most beloved foods in American culture: the humble cheeseburger, a stack of grilled beef and melted cheese that has become a global favourite. It is a light-hearted food holiday marked by restaurant deals, backyard cook-outs and a fair amount of friendly debate about the perfect build.
How to Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day
The whole point of National Cheeseburger Day is to enjoy a great cheeseburger, however you like it. Here are plenty of ways to take part.
- Hunt down the deals – Major chains including Sonic, Smashburger, McDonald’s and Wendy’s routinely run discounts, app-only offers and buy-one-get-one promotions on 18 September. Check restaurant apps the night before so you are ready when the offers go live.
- Fire up the grill at home – Make your own from scratch with freshly ground beef, a soft bun and a slice of cheese added in the final minute so it melts perfectly over the patty.
- Settle the cheese debate – American cheese melts beautifully and is the classic choice, but try cheddar, Swiss, blue cheese or pepper jack and decide for yourself which one wins.
- Go gourmet – Upgrade your burger with caramelised onions, smoked bacon, a fried egg or a homemade special sauce, and turn a simple lunch into a proper treat.
- Make it meat-free – Plant-based patties have come a long way, so this is a great excuse to try a vegetarian or vegan cheeseburger that still delivers on flavour.
- Host a burger night – Set up a build-your-own bar with different cheeses, buns and toppings, and let everyone assemble their dream cheeseburger.
- Share the moment online – Post a photo of your creation, tag the restaurant where you found the best deal, and join the conversation with thousands of other burger fans.
- Support a local spot – Skip the chains and visit an independent diner or burger joint in your area, helping a small business while you enjoy the day.
What is National Cheeseburger Day?
National Cheeseburger Day is an unofficial food holiday dedicated to celebrating the cheeseburger in all its forms. It is observed primarily in the United States, where the cheeseburger holds an iconic place in food culture, but its popularity means it is now marked by fans around the world. The day is enthusiastically embraced by fast-food chains, independent restaurants and home cooks alike, with many businesses using the occasion to roll out special offers. There is no single organising body behind it, which is part of its charm: anyone with an appetite can join in.
When is National Cheeseburger Day?
National Cheeseburger Day is celebrated annually on 18 September. In 2026 the date falls on a Friday, making it an ideal start to a weekend of grilling. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year, so you can mark your calendar for 18 September every September.
The History of National Cheeseburger Day
To understand the day, it helps to know the story of the cheeseburger itself. The most widely repeated origin tale credits a teenager named Lionel Sternberger, who is said to have added a slice of cheese to a beef patty in the 1920s while working at his father’s sandwich shop, The Rite Spot, in Pasadena, California. Like many famous foods, the cheeseburger has competing claims to its invention. One of the earliest documented appearances was at O’Dell’s in Los Angeles in 1928, which listed a cheeseburger topped with chilli on its menu for 25 cents.
The name itself was the subject of a trademark battle. In 1935, Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado, was granted a trademark for the term “cheeseburger.” Whatever the true origin, the cheeseburger spread rapidly across America in the mid-20th century, propelled by the rise of drive-in diners and the booming fast-food industry that followed.
National Cheeseburger Day is far younger than the food it honours. The exact year it began is unclear, but it gained real momentum in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as fast-food chains and, later, food bloggers and social media seized on it as a marketing opportunity. Today it is one of the most commercially active food holidays of the year, with restaurants competing to offer the most tempting cheeseburger deal.
Fun Facts About National Cheeseburger Day
- American cheese is the most popular choice for cheeseburgers, preferred by around 70% of people, ahead of cheddar at roughly 59%.
- It is estimated that more than 50 billion burgers are eaten each year in the United States alone.
- The average American is thought to eat close to three cheeseburgers a week, adding up to around 150 a year.
- Cheese consumption in the US has climbed steadily, with the average person eating around 42 pounds of cheese in 2023, up from about 32 pounds in 2000.
- In 2018, a team in Maryland set a Guinness World Record for the largest cheeseburger ever made, weighing in at an enormous 2,014 pounds.
- The name “cheeseburger” was trademarked back in 1935, decades before the awareness day itself came into being.
Why National Cheeseburger Day Matters
On the surface this is simply a day to enjoy good food, but it carries a little more weight than that. The cheeseburger is woven into American identity and has become a worldwide symbol of casual dining, so celebrating it is a nod to shared cultural history. The day also gives a welcome boost to restaurants and independent burger spots, many of which rely on these promotional moments to draw in customers. Above all, it is an easy, joyful excuse to gather friends and family around a meal. If you enjoy a good food holiday, you might also like National Cheese Pizza Day earlier in September, or the indulgent National Junk Food Day in July.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Cheeseburger Day?
National Cheeseburger Day is an annual food holiday celebrating the cheeseburger. It is marked with restaurant deals, home cook-outs and plenty of social media sharing, and it is open to anyone who loves a good burger.
When is National Cheeseburger Day in 2026?
National Cheeseburger Day is on Friday, 18 September 2026. The date is fixed and falls on 18 September every year.
Who invented the cheeseburger?
The most popular story credits Lionel Sternberger, who is said to have added cheese to a hamburger in his father’s Pasadena sandwich shop in the 1920s. Several others have claimed the invention too, and the name was trademarked by Louis Ballast in Denver in 1935.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your tastiest cheeseburger photos on social media with #NationalCheeseburgerDay and #NationalCheeseburgerDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to find the best burger deal in town!
Related Awareness Days
- National Double Cheeseburger Day – Celebrated on 15 September, just days earlier, for those who believe one patty is never enough.
- National Hamburger Day – Marked on 28 May, honouring the burger in its purest, cheese-optional form.
- National Cheese Pizza Day – Falls on 5 September, a cheesy celebration for pizza lovers.
Links
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