Where to Get Free Coffee and Hot Discounts on National Coffee Day

National Coffee Day, on Sept. 29, honors one of America's best-loved drinks. Across the country, coffee chains are offering discounts and freebies to celebrate this caffeinated favorite. However, the 800-pound gorilla is sitting on the sidelines: Starbucks confirmed to Cheapism via email that it won't be giving out free coffee, as it did last year to mark its 50th anniversary. But here's where you can grab your daily pick-me-up for less — or even for free — on Thursday at participating locations. 

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Krispy Kreme is sure to delight customers on National Coffee Day with its offer of a free brewed coffee for all guests at participating shops and via drive-thru, no purchase necessary. To make the day even sweeter, Krispy Kreme Rewards members get a free doughnut of their choice to go alongside their complimentary cup of joe.

Related: Dunkin' vs. Krispy Kreme: The Best Doughnut Is No Contest

Starting Thursday, Panera is offering perks for those who sign up with its MyPanera rewards program. The deals include: two months of free Unlimited Sip Club membership (typically $10.99 a month), $2 off drinks and smoothies for existing members, 20% off gift cards, discounted or waived delivery fees, and a free baguette on Oct 1. Note that the deals are subject to in-app or online purchases and last for one week only, ending Oct. 5.

Here's a deal that will make that doughnut taste even sweeter: Dunkin' is celebrating National Coffee Day by offering its DD Perks members a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase on Thursday, Delish reports. You can sign up for the rewards program by visiting the Dunkin website. There are no membership fees, and perks accumulated through the program can be used on future purchases.

This cult-favorite convenience store chain is giving rewards members free self-serve coffee up to 24 ounces on Thursday at its 900-plus locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C. Note that iced coffee is excluded.

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Starting Thursday through the weekend, Peet’s is giving away free small cups of drip coffee with any purchase, as well as 20% off coffee beans, K-Cup pods, and espresso capsules in stores and online. Orders placed through the Peet's app also have delivery fees waived, the company said in a press release.

The Oregon-based coffee chain is offering its Dutch Reward members the chance to win up to one year of free drinks in honor of National Coffee Day. To be eligible for the year of free coffee, members must use the Dutch Bros app and scan their Dutch Pass at the window on Thursday.

Use these sister chains' rewards app on Thursday, and you can get any size dispensed hot, iced, or cold-brew coffee for free at more than 650 Pilot or Flying J locations across the country. 

In honor of National Coffee Day, this rapidly growing doughnut chain is offering a free medium hot coffee or cold brew with the purchase of any doughnut. The offer can be redeemed at stores or online, using code COFFEEDAY, and is available for all guests, not just rewards members. In-store guests also get a coupon for a free medium coffee or cold brew that can be redeemed at their next visit. The offer ends on Oct. 31. 

Related: 31 Unique Doughnuts You Have to Try

In honor of National Coffee Day, the popular Canadian chain is offering hot or iced coffees for 25 cents on Thursday for orders placed through its app or online. Tim Hortons is also unveiling a limited-edition Tims Run Club apparel line featuring merchandise from windbreakers and T-shirts to sweatbands and socks. Guests can also participate in a National Coffee Day challenge by ordering three different coffee-based beverages through the app to earn an extra 50 Tims Rewards points. 

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Caribou Coffee is offering $3 medium handcrafted beverages for all its perks members on Thursday. To sign up, download the Caribou app and enter your information. The program is free to join, and your first drink is on the house. Caribou is also selling a limited-edition tumbler to celebrate its 30th birthday for $19.92 (the year it opened). You could win complimentary brewed coffee for a week by purchasing the tumbler, and you don't have to be a perks member to participate. 

For National Coffee Day, La Colombe Coffee Roasters is offering buy one, get one 50% off all 12-ounce boxes of coffee beans in cafes and online. The deal is good through Oct. 1 and also offers free shipping on orders $25 or above.

To celebrate National Coffee Day, through Oct. 4, you can get your first 12-ounce bag of coffee for free with Atlas Coffee Club (you just have to cover the cost of shipping). Use code ATLASCOFFEEDAY2022 online to grab the reward.

If you're getting a bakery item to enjoy with your newest book at Barnes & Noble on National Coffee Day, ask for a free tall hot or iced coffee, too. Participating Barnes & Noble cafes nationwide reportedly are celebrating the "holiday" again this year.