Smart pricing ideas to boost donut delivery sales on national donut day

National Donut Day, celebrated annually on the first Friday of June, presents a golden opportunity for delivery restaurants to boost sales and enhance brand visibility. Crafting effective pricing strategies tailored to this occasion can attract new customers and delight existing ones.

This article explores actionable pricing tactics, highlights successful case studies from industry leaders, and offers insights to help your delivery restaurant make the most of National Donut Day.​

Understand the significance of national donut day

National Donut Day isn’t just a celebration of this beloved pastry; it’s a marketing event that can drive significant customer engagement. Originating in 1938 by the Salvation Army to honor volunteers who served donuts to soldiers during World War I, the day has evolved into a nationwide phenomenon.

For delivery restaurants, it offers a chance to connect with customers through themed promotions and special offers.​

Analyze competitor strategies

Examining how leading brands capitalize on National Donut Day can provide valuable insights:​

• Krispy Kreme: In 2024, Krispy Kreme offered customers a free doughnut of their choice with no purchase necessary. Additionally, they provided a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for $2 with the purchase of any dozen.
  
• Dunkin’: Dunkin’ celebrated by giving away a free classic donut with any beverage purchase. They also collaborated with Grammy-nominated entertainer Jelly Roll for a special PSA and released limited-edition merchandise, including donut-inspired items. 

Implement effective pricing strategies

National Donut Day is the perfect opportunity to attract new customers and reward loyal ones — but you need a smart pricing plan to truly stand out. Strategic pricing doesn’t just boost short-term sales; it can help create lasting customer relationships and increase your average order value. Here’s how delivery restaurants can make the most of it:

1. Offer limited-time bundles

Create National Donut Day bundles that include multiple donuts at a discounted rate. Think “Buy 4, Get 2 Free” or “Family Pack of 12 for the price of 10.” This not only drives higher order volume but also makes it easier for customers to share and celebrate together.

2. Introduce tiered discounts

Encourage larger orders by offering tiered pricing: for example, 10% off on orders over $15, 15% off over $25, and so on. This upselling tactic works especially well on food delivery platforms where customers are primed for add-ons.

3. Add pricing incentives for early orders

Reward early birds by offering pre-order pricing or time-limited discounts in the morning. This can help manage kitchen operations by spreading out order volume and also encourages habitual ordering from your restaurant.

4. Bundle with coffee or beverages

Boost average ticket size by bundling donuts with coffee or cold drinks. A “Donuts & Brew Combo” can be priced competitively and feels like a complete treat for delivery customers.

5. Use psychological pricing

Price items just below a round number — for example, $4.99 instead of $5.00. It’s a small shift, but studies show customers are more likely to perceive it as a deal, especially when ordering online.

7. Create exclusive app or loyalty pricing

If your restaurant uses a loyalty app or participates in a delivery service with one, create members-only prices or offers to boost engagement and retention. “App users get a free donut with any order over $10” is a great example.

8. Highlight “free delivery” promotions

Combine attractive pricing with free delivery thresholds. For example, “Spend $20 on donuts and get free delivery” can encourage larger purchases while covering the delivery cost through product margins.

By combining these pricing strategies with strong marketing and seamless fulfillment, delivery restaurants can turn National Donut Day into a sweet success—not just for the day, but for long-term customer engagement.

Read more: Smart strategies and tips to optimize delivery routes for your restaurant

Leverage delivery platforms for promotions

Utilizing delivery platforms effectively can amplify your National Donut Day promotions by putting your offers in front of a highly engaged audience already primed to order food. Here’s how to maximize their potential:

In-app promotions

Feature your National Donut Day deals prominently within delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub. Use eye-catching images and enticing descriptions to draw attention. Highlight time-sensitive offers to create urgency, such as “1-Day Only: Free Donut with Every Combo!”

Push notifications

Work with your delivery partners to send timely notifications to nearby users. Use messages like “Celebrate National Donut Day with 2-for-1 donuts! Today only!” to create excitement and drive impulse orders.

Exclusive platform deals

Consider crafting unique offers exclusive to a specific delivery app, like “Buy 6, Get 6 Free only on DoorDash.” This not only boosts visibility but may earn you featured placement on that platform.

Social media integration

Pair your delivery deals with social media content — use Instagram Stories, TikTok videos, and Facebook posts to promote your offers and include direct ordering links. Use relevant hashtags like #NationalDonutDay, #DonutDelivery, or #FoodieFriday to expand reach.

Geo-targeted ads

Use paid advertising within delivery platforms or on social media to target users in your delivery radius. Focus especially on morning and lunch hours when customers are most likely to crave a sweet treat.

Read more: How to use reservation apps like OpenTable, Yelp and Resy for your restaurant success

Enhance customer experience

Beyond pricing, an excellent customer experience can turn first-time buyers into repeat customers. Attention to detail makes your brand memorable, especially during a busy food holiday like National Donut Day.

Efficient delivery

Work closely with your delivery service partners to ensure timely and accurate deliveries. Use scheduling tools to avoid bottlenecks and offer real-time tracking updates to enhance transparency and reduce anxiety for customers.

Quality packaging

Opt for packaging that protects the donuts’ freshness and presentation. Ventilated boxes can prevent sogginess, and branded or themed packaging adds a festive touch that encourages social sharing.

Personalized notes

Add handwritten or printed thank-you notes with every order. Include discount codes or QR codes linking to your loyalty program or upcoming promotions. Personal touches go a long way in building brand loyalty.

Order customization options

Let customers personalize their orders with choices like glaze types, toppings, or fillings. This increases perceived value and enhances the overall ordering experience.

Consistent branding

Ensure your packaging, digital presence, and customer interactions all align with your brand identity. Cohesive visuals and tone build trust and brand recall.

Read more: The power of unique food packaging in customer experience

Collaborate with influencers and local businesses

Strategic partnerships can extend your reach well beyond your regular customer base and add credibility to your promotions.

Influencer promotions

Reach out to local food bloggers, micro-influencers, or dessert-focused creators to review or showcase your National Donut Day specials. Offer free samples in exchange for coverage on their social media channels. Authentic endorsements can drive new traffic and generate buzz.

Live tastings and giveaways

Host a live Instagram or TikTok tasting session with an influencer, and pair it with a giveaway where followers must tag friends and share your content to win a donut bundle.

Cross-promotions

Team up with nearby businesses like coffee shops, florists, or even fitness centers for collaborative promotions. For example: “Buy a coffee and get a free donut from [Your Brand] — only today!”

Charity tie-ins

Partner with local nonprofits or shelters and donate a portion of your National Donut Day proceeds. This fosters goodwill and opens up co-marketing opportunities.

Read more: Top delivery solutions every restaurant should know about

Measure and analyze results

To improve future campaigns, you need to understand what worked — and what didn’t. Here’s how to do it:

Sales data

Compare sales from National Donut Day to average days and previous promotions. Break down by time slot, order value, and most popular items. Identify your best-performing deals.

Platform performance

Track which delivery platforms drove the most traffic and conversions. Determine which app-based promotions yielded the highest ROI and consider shifting more marketing budget toward them next time.

Customer feedback

Encourage customers to leave reviews and ratings. Ask for direct feedback via follow-up emails or app messages. Use their insights to fix pain points and double down on what impressed them.

Social media metrics

Analyze your content’s engagement: likes, shares, comments, and story views. Check hashtag usage and mentions to gauge reach and brand exposure.

Prepare for future events

National Donut Day can be a valuable blueprint for future marketing opportunities. Use it as a springboard for building a stronger brand calendar.

Annual planning

Log all campaign assets, performance reports, and feedback so you can quickly replicate or improve them for next year. Consider scaling successful promotions to other food-related holidays like National Dessert Day, Valentine’s Day, or even back-to-school season.

Seasonal themes

Develop themed donuts or bundles around seasons and holidays. These limited-time offers keep your menu exciting and encourage customers to check in regularly.

Continuous engagement

Stay connected with the customers you gained during the campaign. Use email marketing, push notifications, and loyalty rewards to keep your brand top-of-mind.

Customer loyalty program

Introduce or enhance your rewards program to give National Donut Day customers a reason to return. For instance, “Earn a free donut for every 5 orders” could drive repeat business.

By implementing these strategies, delivery restaurants can effectively leverage National Donut Day to boost sales, enhance brand visibility, and foster customer loyalty.​

Partner with CloudKitchens to manage high-volume demand with ease

High-demand days like National Donut Day can be a blessing — but only if your operations are built to handle the rush. CloudKitchens offers smart kitchen infrastructure that helps restaurants scale effortlessly, optimize delivery efficiency, and reach new customers without compromising quality.

Whether you’re expanding your menu, adding new locations, or streamlining order fulfillment, CloudKitchens gives you the space and technology to grow sustainably. Ready to elevate your delivery restaurant’s success? Discover how CloudKitchens can transform your business today!

DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general informational purposes only and the content does not constitute an endorsement. CloudKitchens does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, images/graphics, links, or other content contained within the blog content. We recommend that you consult with financial, legal, and business professionals for advice specific to your situation.