Free doughnuts? National Donut Day deals from Dunkin', Krispy ...

Doughnut stores were a $7.3 billion industry in the U.S. last year, according to the market researchers at IBISWorld, so it’s not too surprising that McDonald’s MCD, +0.96% has started to test-drive selling Krispy Kreme DNUT, -1.31% doughnuts in 160 or so of its Kentucky stores. Krispy Kreme’s glazed treats have already popped up in some Walmart WMT, +0.52% stores, with plans to hit shelves at Target TGT, -0.12% next. 

Read more: Krispy Kreme set for doughnut ‘halo effect’ at McDonald’s and Target, say analysts

And “doughnut burgers,” in which the traditional bun is swapped out for the sticky-sweet pastry, have been a guilty pleasure at state and county fairs for some time.

But it’s not just humans who can’t wait to get their hands on some doughnuts. A raccoon went viral on TikTok after a Florida woman posted a video showing the critter walking up to a Dunkin’ drive-through window and politely waiting for an employee to pass it a pastry. “Everyone runs on Dunkin,” the video caption reads, riffing on the chain’s slogan.

On Friday, you’ll be able to satisfy your doughnut craving with a freebie or two. Here’s a look at some of the National Donut Day discounts from Dunkin’, Krispy Kreme and other outlets.

If that Dunkin’ raccoon has you dreaming about a doughnut from the popular chain, you’re in luck. Dunkin’ is giving away classic doughnuts (alas, no fancies or specialty doughnuts) to customers who buy a beverage (excluding espresso shots) on Friday.

It’s cheaper by the dozen at Krispy Kreme: If you buy a dozen doughnuts (any flavor) on National Donut Day, you’ll get a dozen glazed doughnuts for $2. And anyone who pops into a Krispy Kreme on Friday will get a free doughnut of any flavor, no purchase necessary.

You can snag a free cinnamon-sugar doughnut, no purchase necessary, when you visit a Duck Donuts location in person on Friday. Or you can get $3 off a “party box” of doughnuts when you order online from one of the chain’s more than 115 locations using the code PARTY23.

Wear your love of doughnuts on your sleeve by grabbing a free National Donut Day T-shirt at LaMar’s Donuts on Friday — along with a free Ray’s Original glazed doughnut — while supplies last.

This one’s for the early birds. At Shipley Do-Nut, the National Donut Day deal runs from 5 a.m. until noon local time on Friday for customers both in stores and online, who will get a free glazed doughnut with any purchase while supplies last. If you’re ordering online, you’ll need to use the code Donutday23 to claim your freebie.

This growing chain in the South and West is throwing a National Donut Day party at several locations on Friday. Starting at 4 p.m. local time, the first 10 customers at the top of each hour will be treated to a free “smashed” doughnut — that’s a scoop of ice cream sandwiched inside a doughnut, which is then put in a hot press before being covered in toppings. Just don’t be too fashionably late, as many of these locations close at 10 p.m.

On the flip side, not everyone is biting. Here’s why MarketWatch columnist Charles Passy plans on skipping National Donut Day this year.