Holiday on September 18, 2026 — Cheeseburger Day: Who Invented This Famous American Dish?

September 18 is National Cheeseburger Day in the U.S.—an unofficial culinary holiday dedicated to one of America’s most famous dishes. On this day, restaurants and fast-food chains run special promotions, while burger lovers either make them at home or head to their favorite spots. In 2026, the holiday falls on a Friday, so for Americans, it’s also a convenient excuse to kick off the weekend with their favorite food.

 

National Cheeseburger Day in the U.S. is celebrated annually on September 18. It is not a public holiday nor an official date established by the U.S. government. It is a so-called culinary holiday that has, over time, become popular among restaurants, brands, and ordinary burger lovers. In 2026, Cheeseburger Day falls on Friday, September 18. That’s why many restaurants have prepared special offers, discounts, and free burgers for loyalty program members. Some of these promotions are valid for just one day, while others require ordering through a mobile app or pre-registration.

 

The holiday itself does not have a single, universally recognized founding date or a specific organizer. It emerged as part of American culture’s tradition of themed “national days” dedicated to various foods and dishes. Despite its unofficial status, restaurants actively use Cheeseburger Day every year to attract customers with special menus and discounts.

How the Cheeseburger Came to Be

The history of the cheeseburger began long before the culinary holiday itself. The most common version links the dish’s origins to Pasadena, California, and the year 1924. It was then that 16-year-old Lionel Clark Sternberger was working as a cook at his father’s restaurant, The Rite Spot. According to the local story, he was the one who first added a slice of cheese to a beef patty.

 

There are actually two versions of the story. According to one, Sternberger accidentally burned or overcooked the patty and placed cheese on top to hide the flawed spot. According to the other, a customer specifically asked to have cheese added to the burger. It has not been possible to determine with certainty which version came first. But it is known that the “Aristocratic Burger”—a cheeseburger—appeared on The Rite Spot’s menu.

 

Pasadena still actively commemorates this story today. In 2012, the city launched Pasadena Cheeseburger Week, during which local restaurants create special offers and various cheeseburger variations. In 2017, a commemorative plaque was installed at a site associated with The Rite Spot. And in 2024, the city separately celebrated the 100th anniversary of the story linked to the cheeseburger’s origins.

 

At the same time, it would not be entirely accurate to call Sternberger the undisputed inventor of the cheeseburger. Other establishments and chefs have also laid claim to inventing this dish. For example, Kaelin’s restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, attributes the creation of the cheeseburger to its establishment in 1934. Therefore, historians and journalists typically refer to Sternberger as the person widely credited with creating the cheeseburger, rather than as its sole proven inventor.

Why the cheeseburger became so popular

The secret of the cheeseburger is quite simple. It consists of a bun, a beef patty, and cheese, and everything else can be customized to taste. People add lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, bacon, mushrooms, hot peppers, and various sauces. It is this simplicity that has allowed the dish to adapt to a wide variety of tastes. Cheese plays a special role. During cooking, it melts on the hot patty and forms a soft layer that pairs well with the meat. Most often, American cheese, cheddar, or other varieties that melt well are used for the classic American cheeseburger.

 

Over time, the cheeseburger has evolved beyond being just a cheap fast food option. Restaurant menus feature a wide variety of options—from simple burgers with cheese and onions to elaborate creations with multiple patties, bacon, spicy sauces, and unusual toppings. Different cities and states across the U.S. have developed their own approaches to making burgers. That’s why National Cheeseburger Day has effectively become a celebration not of any one specific recipe, but of the entire burger culture. You can make a simple cheeseburger on your home grill or order an elaborate signature version at a restaurant. The main requirement is that it includes a burger patty and cheese.

How to Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day

The easiest way to celebrate is to eat a cheeseburger. In the U.S., restaurants often offer discounts, “buy one, get one free” deals, free burgers, or special combos on this day. Many offers are tied to loyalty programs, so you may need an account in a specific chain’s mobile app to participate.

 

In 2026, major chains have once again prepared special offers. For example, on September 18, Applebee’s is selling a classic burger or cheeseburger with fries for $8.99 at participating locations, while McDonald’s is offering MyMcDonald’s Rewards members a free Double Cheeseburger with a minimum order of $1 via the app. On September 18, Burger King is running a promotion for Royal Perks members, where you can get a free Bacon Cheeseburger with purchases of $3 or more. Dairy Queen has also prepared an offer featuring a free Original Cheeseburger Signature Stackburger with orders of $1 or more through the app.

 

These promotions vary depending on the restaurant, city, and program terms. They’re often available only at participating locations and may have limits on the number of orders. That’s why Americans are advised to check the terms of a specific offer before heading to a restaurant. But you don’t have to go to a big restaurant at all. Many people celebrate this day at home. They cook a beef patty on the grill or in a skillet, top it with cheese, and then add their favorite vegetables, sauce, and fillings. This option is especially popular during get-togethers with friends and family dinners.

Interesting Facts About the Cheeseburger

• The cheeseburger has become so deeply ingrained in American culture that its history is even the subject of separate research by local organizations and museums. In Pasadena, a menu from The Rite Spot has been preserved that mentions the “Aristocratic Burger”—one of the most important documents in the local history of the cheeseburger.

• The year 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the date that Pasadena associates with the cheeseburger’s origins. The city celebrated the anniversary with special events, and restaurants held a themed week featuring various burgers. This provided yet another opportunity to reflect on the dish’s history and the debates surrounding its origins.

• Interestingly, the word “cheeseburger” has become so well-known that it’s used far beyond the borders of the U.S. Today, cheeseburgers are on restaurant menus all over the world, and recipes vary greatly from country to country. Some add hot sauce, while others include an egg, avocado, caramelized onions, or local cheeses.

• There are even records. According to reference sources on Cheeseburger Day, giant burgers weighing hundreds of kilograms have been created in the U.S. One of the most famous record-breaking versions, presented at a fair in California in 2011, weighed about 777 pounds—that is, over 350 kilograms—and contained tens of kilograms of cheese.

• Another well-known cultural fact is related to music. Jimmy Buffett’s song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” made the cheeseburger a part of American pop culture. According to the musician himself, the idea for the song came from a sea voyage, when, after eating monotonous food on the boat, he craved an ordinary cheeseburger more than anything.

What kinds of cheeseburgers can you make?

The classic version is quite simple: a beef patty, a bun, cheese, ketchup, mustard, and a pickle. But today there are so many recipes that everyone can find their own favorite. Those who like it spicy add jalapeños or hot sauce, while those who prefer a richer flavor opt for bacon and caramelized onions.

 

The double cheeseburger is also popular. It features two patties and two layers of cheese, making it a more filling meal. There are options with mushrooms and Swiss cheese, blue cheese burgers, spicy Mexican versions, and even vegetarian burgers where the meat patty is replaced with a plant-based alternative.

 

So-called “smash burgers” are also popular in the U.S. To make them, the ground meat is pressed thinly against a very hot surface, which makes the edges of the patty crispy while keeping the inside juicy. This type of burger usually features thin patties, plenty of cheese, and simple toppings.

 

That’s why National Cheeseburger Day is a great excuse not only to buy a ready-made burger but also to try a new recipe. You can cook it on the grill, in a skillet, or even in a home electric grill. And everyone can choose their own toppings to suit their taste.

Holiday Traditions

• The main tradition of this day is very simple—eating cheeseburgers. Americans go to restaurants, order their favorite burgers, take advantage of holiday discounts, or make them at home. For many, it’s simply a fun excuse to get together with friends or family.

• Restaurants, in turn, try to make the celebration more noticeable. They create special menus, launch limited-time offers, and promote burgers on social media. Some establishments offer new flavors specifically through September 18, while large chains tie their promotions to their own loyalty programs.

• Another popular tradition is experimenting with toppings. People may host “burger parties” at home, where buns, patties, cheese, vegetables, and sauces are laid out on the table, and everyone builds their own burger. This format is especially convenient for groups, since everyone can make their burger exactly the way they like it.

 

Ultimately, National Cheeseburger Day is not an official public holiday, but a fun American culinary tradition. The idea is as simple as it gets: to celebrate one of America’s most famous dishes, enjoy your favorite burger, and perhaps discover a new flavor. And September 18, 2026, will be a particularly convenient day for this—the holiday falls on a Friday.

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