National Doughnut Day: Why we have it and how to get free stuff
Friday, June 1 is National Doughnut Day. Here are a few national chain restaurants where you can celebrate with free — or at least discounted — doughnuts.
The history
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Yes, there's more to National Doughnut Day than just free dessert. The holiday was first created as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army in 1938.
The organization held the event to raise money during the Great Depression and to honor the "Lassies" who served doughnuts to World War I soldiers. These morale-boosting volunteers later became known among the men as "Doughnut Dollies."
The doughnut celebration caught on, and National Doughnut Day is now observed each year on the first Friday in June.
But now for the important part — where can you get free doughnuts?
Krispy Kreme
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Glazed doughnuts roll by on a conveyor belt at a Krispy Kreme store in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007.
Krispy Kreme is being pretty straightforward with its celebration. All you need to do is stop in at participating locations in the U.S. or Canada, and you can get a free doughnut of any variety.
Dunkin' Donuts
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Dunkin' Donuts will be giving away a free classic doughnut with any beverage purchase on Friday. The restaurant has also opted to give the doughnuts special names for the occasion, such as the “Party On” (Vanilla Frosted Donut which will have confetti sprinkles and a blue icing) and the Boston Kreme Bash (which will still be the classic Boston Kreme but with blue icing drizzle).
Entenmann's
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In this photo taken by Feature Photo Service for Entenmann's: Augie Cunha, Entenmann's Senior Manager, Baking Technology, arrives with the new Rich Frosted Patriotic Donuts for National Donut Day with The Salvation Army, Friday, June 5, 2015 in NYC. The Entenmann's Donut Mobile is 13' Long x 6' Wide and nearly 7' High.
Entenmann's is partnering with the Salvation Army to host more than 40 “Do Good Donut Parties,” which will deliver doughnuts to more than 8,500 veterans across the country.
Check locations here.
Tim Hortons
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A few Tim Hortons locations are giving out Gold Timbits to the first guests to ask for them after 6 a.m. There's also a chance to win free doughnuts for a year.
Strike gold this #NationalDonutDay! The first in-restaurant Guest after 6am on June 1st to ask for the “Gold Timbits®” at selected locations in Buffalo, Columbus and Detroit will have a chance to win free donuts for a year! No purchase necessary: https://t.co/CtYpr3Nyrt pic.twitter.com/rNPDHTQ967
— Tim Hortons U.S. (@TimHortonsUS) May 25, 2018
Details here.
Other upcoming doughnut-related holidays
Updated- Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day is June 8
- National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day is Sept. 14
- Buy A Doughnut Day is Oct. 30
Happy National Doughnut Day! Celebrate wisely, and don't forget to check your local shops for deals as well.
Burger King
UpdatedBurger King is offering Whopper Donuts at select stores (only five, really) on Friday. From the looks of its promotional video, it's simply a regular Whopper with the middle cut out, but you get a slider with it.
Participating restaurants are located in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston and Salt Lake City.
