Giveaways for National Doughnut Day on June 2

How many doughnuts can you eat in one day?

Fans of the deep-fried treat may be tempted to find out on Friday when some of the most popular doughnut-centric chains will offer deals and giveaways for National Doughnut Day – or Donut Day if you're into alternative spellings

Unlike many national -- insert unhealthy food here -- days, Doughnut Day has a well-established 79-year-old tradition.

Celebrated on the first Friday in June, the food holiday began as a fundraiser for Chicago's Salvation Army to help those struggling through the Great Depression while also honoring the women who served the confections to soldiers during World War I.

At least that's the story.

These days, it's more of a reason to hate your coworker for bringing a box of mouth-watering confections to work when you're trying to get into beach shape. 

But don't fear if you have to skip out on Friday's deals. There's always another excuse right around the corner, including National Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day on June 8, National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day on Sept. 14 and National Buy A Doughnut Day on Nov. 5.

The following is a list of stores offering goodies on Friday:

Duck Donuts (Newark): Customers will receive one free, made-to-order doughnut of their choice with any purchase. Receipts printed on Friday also will feature a coupon for a free half-dozen doughnuts when you purchase a half-dozen.

Dunkin' Donuts (Just everywhere): Get a free classic doughnut with the purchase of any beverage, including the new S'mores-flavored coffee. Might we suggest the new Vanilla Cake Batter doughnut?

Dorman's Donut Shoppe (Lewes): Get $1 off of a dozen donuts usually priced at $11.

Entenmann's (Online): Purchase a specially marked National Donut Day box of Rich Frosted Donuts and enter the "Win Free Donuts for a Year" sweepstakes via Entenmann's Facebook page.

Fractured Prune Doughnuts (Rehoboth Beach): One free doughnut with any purchase. Also a good time to remind customers they can get a free doughnut any day they enter the store wearing Fractured Prune merchandise.

Gooey Donuts (Milton): Buy a dozen doughnuts, get four more for free.

Krispy Kreme (Near New Castle): In perhaps the sweetest deal of all, Krispy Kreme will be giving away one free doughnut per person with no purchase necessary.

Wegmans Food Markets (Glen Mills, Pa.): The upscale grocer is offering up to 10 limited-edition doughnut varieties with names such as The Porcupine, Maple Bacon Ring and Coconut Cream Pie.

This is not a complete list of all the doughnut shops in Delaware. Feel free to let us know of any deals not listed here. It's also always a good idea to call ahead to be sure your favorite shop is participating in the National Doughnut Day giveaways.

Contact business reporter Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.