“Donuts. Is there anything they can’t do?” the animated character Homer Simpson famously asked. Millions of Americans share the same sentiment as National Doughnut Day is recognized, but the origins of holiday come from a time of war.
In 1917, during World War I, a group of female Salvation Army officers and volunteers went to France to set up bases to support American troops near the front lines. Nicknamed the “Donut Lassies,” they offered soldiers physical, mental and spiritual care, and freshly fried doughnuts, according to The Salvation Army.
After the war, the Donut Lassies help spread the popularity of the doughnut across the U.S. In 1938, The Salvation Army in Chicago established National Doughnut Day to honor them and to help others during the Great Depression.
In 2026, The Salvation Army, along with Buddy Valastro, bakery owner and former star of “Cake Boss,” will provide doughnuts to veterans nationwide. Locations include:
Jersey City, New Jersey
Las Vegas, Nevada
San Antonio, Texas
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Additionally, community events and initiatives will be held in Cincinnati; Knoxville, Tennessee; San Diego and Washington, D.C.
Here’s where you can snag free or discounted doughnuts on Friday, June 5, to celebrate the “holey” holiday.
Parlor Doughnuts
Guests can grab a free French toast layered doughnut on Friday with any purchase.
If a sweet treat doesn’t sound so great but you still want to celebrate, Parlor Doughnuts also offers several savory selections, including Margherita, pig and fig, chicken bacon ranch, and buffalo chicken.
Pinkbox Doughnuts
The American Fork location will be celebrate National Doughnut Day by giving away special National Doughnut Day 2026 T-shirts to customers who buy one dozen doughnuts while supplies last, according to an email shared with Deseret News.
Guests will receive one pink ticket at the time of purchase to redeem their shirts online. The offer is limited to one free shirt per dozen purchased.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Pinkbox Doughnuts®️ (@pinkboxdoughnuts)
The June flavor of the month is the Brownie Points Doughnut, described by the company as “a nostalgic throwback to baking brownies during childhood.”
It features a raised doughnut filled with brownie batter that is dipped in chocolate and topped with a brownie batter rosette and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Krispy Kreme
Guests can snag one free doughnut of their choice at participating locations on June 5. The deal is available in-store and via drive-thru, with no purchase necessary.
Free doughnut choices include the Original Glazed, Strawberry Iced with Sprinkles, Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled and other Krispy Kreme classics.
To go a step further, Krispy Kreme is also offering a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for $2 when guests buy any dozen.
FREE 🍩 6/5.
Save the date. Your future self will thank you.
Offer available 6/5 only at participating U.S. Krispy Kreme shops only and is subject to product availability. See full terms at https://t.co/nko8H4YXdv pic.twitter.com/mkhgDANtOc
— Krispy Kreme (@krispykreme) June 1, 2026
Chip Cookies
Alright, so this one isn’t a doughnut, but it’s doughnut-themed, and that counts. The Salt Lake City-based Chip Cookies has been celebrating all week long with its pink sprinkle doughnut chip cookie.
The chip cookie of the week is a handmade buttery vanilla cookie topped with a pink glaze and rainbow sprinkles, according to Chip.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by chip™ cookies (@chipcookiesco)
Crumbl
Not a doughnut fan, but still want to celebrate? The pink-box cookie company has been celebrating “breakfast week” and has a festive offering just for you. Among the four-cookie weekly lineup is a pink doughnut cookie. The cookie base is a soft vanilla cookie topped with a “luscious pink glaze,” finished with rainbow sprinkles and a “doughnut style hole.”
Other cookies in this week’s lineup include fruity cereal milk tres leches cake, blueberry pancake cookie, frosted strawberry cookie featuring Pop-Tarts, french toast cookie and sea salt cookie featuring Nutella.
7-Eleven
7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members can grab a classic glazed doughnut for 50 cents at participating locations on June 5. The convenience store will also offer 7-Select Mini Doughnut packs for just $1 through June 23, according to USA Today.
Daylight Donuts
Daylight Donuts is offering one dozen doughnuts for $10 on June 5. The deal is limited to one per customer transaction and visit, according to WRAL News.
Door Dash
In 2026, DoorDash is offering $7 off of a Krispy Kreme order of $25 or more from June 4 through June 18. The offer can be redeemed two times per person, according to The Krazy Coupon Lady.
Duck Donuts
Guests can get one free classic doughnut with no purchase necessary when they order in-store.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Duck Donuts (@duckdonuts)
Dunkin’
For 16 years running, the coffee and donut brand that fuels America is giving guests a free donut of their choice with any beverage purchase on National Doughnut Day.
Maverik
Maverik is expected to offer rewards members 50% off doughnuts to celebrate the holiday, with no limit on the amount of doughnuts purchased.
Maverik Nitro cardholders are expected to receive a free doughnut on June 5.
Sidecar Doughnuts
The California-based doughnut shop is making every loyalty rewards member a winner this National Doughnut Day.
To redeem the offer, customers must sign up for the company’s rewards program and make a purchase through the app or in-store on June 5.
After that, customers are automatically entered to win one of four prizes:
Free doughnuts
Free drinks
Free packs
Surprise prizes
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee (@sidecardoughnuts)
