National Hot Dog Day 2026: Where to Score the Best Hot Dog Deals

If you're craving a classic hot dog, National Hot Dog Day is the perfect excuse to indulge without spending much. On Wednesday, July 15, restaurants and convenience stores across the country are celebrating with special discounts, freebies, and app-exclusive offers.

Here's a look at some of the best National Hot Dog Day deals available:

Philly Pretzel Factory

Philly Pretzel Factory is selling its popular Pretzel Dogs for just $1 all day at participating locations. Customers using the Philly Pretzel Factory app can also redeem an offer for one free Pretzel Dog.

Dog Haus

Members of the Haus Rewards loyalty program can enjoy one free Haus Dog as part of the chain's National Hot Dog Day celebration.

Circle K

Circle K is offering two roller grill hot dogs for just $1 when customers redeem the deal through the Circle K app.

Sonic Drive-In

Sonic is serving up several app-exclusive bargains, including:

• $1 Corn Dogs
• $2 All-American Dogs
• $3 Footlong Quarter Pound Coneys

Portillo's

Portillo's Perks members can grab a regular or plant-based hot dog for just $1 with a minimum purchase of $5.

7-Eleven

7-Eleven is offering its Big Bite hot dog for $2, along with mix-and-match pricing on any two roller grill items at participating stores.

Don't Forget the Apps

Many of these National Hot Dog Day promotions require customers to use a restaurant's mobile app or be enrolled in its rewards program. Deals may vary by location, and most are only available on Wednesday, July 15, while supplies and participation last.

Whether you prefer a classic chili dog, a pretzel-wrapped favorite, or a convenience store roller grill staple, National Hot Dog Day is a great time to grab a tasty bargain.

If you're looking for the perfect excuse to grab a famous L.A. hot dog, National Hot Dog Day is bringing a delicious deal to one of the city's most iconic restaurants.

Pink's Hot Dogs will be giving away 250 free chili cheese dogs on Wednesday at its original location at 709 N. La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles.

The offer is limited to the first 250 customers, with a limit of one free hot dog per person, so if you want to score one, you'll want to get there early. Pink's says it expects the giveaway to go quickly.

The Giving Doesn't Stop There

If you miss out on the free hot dogs, there's still a tasty way to celebrate—and help a great cause.

After the first 250 giveaways, Pink's will sell another 250 chili cheese dogs for $10.50 each, with 100% of the profits benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The restaurant shared the following message on social media:

"Come hungry, celebrate with us, and support an incredible cause."

A True Los Angeles Landmark

Founded by Paul and Betty Pink in 1939, Pink's started as a small hot dog stand and has grown into one of Southern California's most recognizable food destinations. Today, the family-owned business serves more than 1,200 hot dogs every day and has expanded to additional locations, including Universal CityWalk and the Los Angeles Zoo.

Pink's original location is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 a.m., making it a late-night favorite for locals and tourists alike.

If you're planning to celebrate National Hot Dog Day, arriving early is your best bet—and even if you don't snag one of the freebies, you'll still be supporting a worthy cause with every charity chili cheese dog sold.

Ever wanted to have lunch with a TV legend, meet your favorite late-night host, or score VIP access to a concert? Now's your chance—and it's all for a good cause.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) has launched its 2026 Front Row Experiences Charity Auction, giving fans the opportunity to bid on more than 50 one-of-a-kind experiences with some of the biggest names in television, radio, sports, and music.

Online bidding is open now and runs through Tuesday, July 28, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time.

Some of the Incredible Experiences Up for Auction

This year's lineup includes unforgettable opportunities such as:

• Private lunch with Henry Winkler
• Private lunch with Joe Mantegna
• Private lunch with Bob Odenkirk
• VIP tickets and a meet-and-greet with Jimmy Fallon at The Tonight Show
• VIP tickets and a meet-and-greet with Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins
• A personally autographed I Dream of Jeannie bottle from Barbara Eden
• A private wellness consultation with Dr. Ian Smith
• Behind-the-scenes access and experiences with Svengoolie, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, The Breakfast Club, and Mojo in the Morning

Whether you're a television fanatic, music lover, or radio fan, there's something on the auction block that could make for an unforgettable memory.

Supporting Broadcasting History

Now celebrating its 44th year, the Museum of Broadcast Communications recently moved into a new home in Chicago and continues its mission of preserving America's broadcasting history.

Current exhibits include displays celebrating late-night television, and the museum is preparing to permanently install Stephen Colbert's iconic Late Show set from New York's historic Ed Sullivan Theater. This fall, the museum will also receive the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation's Preservation Award in recognition of its efforts.

Museum Chair, President, and CEO David Plier says the auction is about more than just unforgettable experiences.

"Front Row Experiences is an opportunity to connect fans with the personalities and programs that have shaped American culture. Every winning bid supports our educational mission and helps inspire the next generation of media creators."

If you've ever dreamed of going behind the scenes with your favorite entertainers—or you're looking for a unique gift—this auction is worth checking out. Every winning bid helps support the museum's educational programs and the preservation of broadcasting history.

For more information, you can visit charitybuzz.com.

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: IMAGE COURTESY OF LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART


George Lucas' New L.A. Museum Is Opening Soon—And Some Neighbors Get In Free

After years of anticipation, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is finally ready to welcome visitors. The $1 billion museum, founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas and business leader Mellody Hobson, officially opens to the public on September 22 - and thousands of local residents will get a special perk.

People living in Los Angeles' 90037 ZIP code, the neighborhood surrounding the museum in Exposition Park, will receive free renewable annual passes along with an exclusive early preview before the museum officially opens.

Museum CEO Tracey Bates says the program is a way to thank the community that has watched the massive project take shape over the last eight years.

"We wanted to make sure the neighbors that have been seeing the museum built from the ground up for the past eight years are the first ones inside."

The free pass program allows eligible residents to reserve two tickets for each visit, making it easier for families and friends to experience the museum together.

A New Cultural Landmark for Los Angeles

The 300,000-square-foot museum features a striking futuristic design that feels right at home with George Lucas' legacy. Sitting on 11 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Exposition Park, the campus was designed to be more than just a museum—it was created as a public gathering space for the community.

The outdoor areas were designed by renowned landscape architect Mia Lehrer, whose work also includes SoFi Stadium. According to museum leaders, the gardens are meant to serve as an extension of the neighborhood, giving locals another reason to spend time on the campus.

What's Inside?

Visitors can explore more than 1,300 works of art and storytelling artifacts, including pieces from George Lucas' personal Lucasfilm archives that he retained after selling the company to Disney in 2012.

The collection spans a wide variety of artists and storytellers, featuring works from Norman Rockwell, Jack Kirby, Robert Crumb, Frida Kahlo, and Los Angeles muralist Judith Baca, among many others. The museum celebrates visual storytelling across comics, illustration, film, painting, and popular culture.

A Big Year for L.A. Museums

The Lucas Museum arrives during a busy year for Los Angeles' museum scene. It follows the recent opening of LACMA's new David Geffen Galleries while the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum remains closed for major renovations.

Whether you're a fan of Star Wars, comic books, classic art, or simply looking for a new destination to explore in Los Angeles, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is shaping up to be one of Southern California's biggest cultural attractions of the year.

Looking to Rent? These Are America's Best Cities for Renters in 2026

If you're planning a move and renting instead of buying, a new report suggests you might want to look toward Arizona.

A new study from WalletHub ranked 182 U.S. rental markets and found that three Arizona cities claimed the top spots as the best places for renters in 2026. The rankings looked beyond just monthly rent, factoring in affordability, job opportunities, quality of life, weather, recreation, traffic, renter protections, and more.

Arizona Takes the Top Three

Scottsdale earned the No. 1 spot thanks to its strong job market, excellent driving conditions, pleasant weather, and plenty of recreational opportunities. While it isn't one of the cheapest rental markets in the country, the average renter spends less than 22% of their annual income on housing. Renters also enjoy larger-than-average homes, with the typical residence measuring more than 2,100 square feet.

Gilbert came in second, offering a combination of affordable rental costs, spacious homes, and family-friendly neighborhoods.

Chandler rounded out the top three, where renters spend about 21% of their annual income on housing while benefiting from a healthy local economy and strong quality of life.

The Top 10 Cities for Renters

1. Scottsdale, Arizona
2. Gilbert, Arizona
3. Chandler, Arizona
4. Overland Park, Kansas
5. Columbia, Maryland
6. Peoria, Arizona
7. Bismarck, North Dakota
8. Huntsville, Alabama
9. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
10. Amarillo, Texas

What Makes a Great Rental City?

According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, the best rental cities aren't just about finding the lowest monthly payment.

In some of the highest-ranked cities, renters spend as little as 15% of their income on rent while also benefiting from strong renter protections, healthy job markets, manageable traffic, and plenty of entertainment and recreation options. The study also considered factors like cost of living and local laws designed to protect renters from excessive security deposits and other fees.

Rent Prices Are Finally Cooling

There's also some encouraging news for renters nationwide.

According to Zillow, the typical U.S. asking rent reached $1,910 in March, up just 1.8% compared to a year ago. That's the slowest annual increase since 2020, suggesting rent prices may finally be stabilizing after years of rapid growth.

Single-family rental homes averaged $2,225 per month, up 2.5% year-over-year, while multifamily apartments averaged $1,757, increasing 1.3%.

While housing costs remain high in many areas, slowing rent increases and strong rental markets could give renters more options—and a little more breathing room—in 2026.