For those who can't start a day without a cup of coffee, 2012 National Coffee Day is sure to be a joyous occasion as many businesses are having deals and are even giving away free coffee at various locations. Nothing is better than free! While National Coffee Day is officially on September 29, many locations will be participating on Sept. 28,likely because a free cup of coffee is more useful to those going to work or school on a Friday than those who like to sleep in on the weekends.

Unfortunately, popular coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts won't be giving out free coffee this year but there are plenty of locations around the country that will have free coffee and deals.

Each store has various details and rules and not all locations are participating, so be sure to check out the store's website or give them a call before heading out to make sure that they're celebrating National Coffee Day.

Here are some stores that are participating in the event.

McDonalds

For those on the east coast of the US, McDonalds is giving away free 12-ounce cups of coffee between September 23 and September 29. Coffee is available in the restaurant or drive-thrus and no purchase is necessary.

7-Eleven

To celebrate, the convenience store is having their own "CofFREE Day" on Friday, September 28. They're giving away free large coffees from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday.

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme is giving away fre 12-ounce House Blend coffees on Saturday, September 29. No purchase is necessary, but don't pass up the opportunity to get a tasty donut along with your coffee. They are also hosting a contest for their 75h anniversary that will give winners two free bags of coffee a month for the next year. Click Here to Enter!

Dunkin Donuts

While they aren't giving away free coffee, they are having some special deals! They have a printed coupon that gives customers a 10-ounce hot latte or 16-ounce iced latte for only 99 cents. Click here to print the coupon. They are also selling bags of coffee for $5.99 on Saturday and Sunday. They also announced two new fall flavors including Pumpkin Mocha and Pumpkin White Chocolate coffee and lattes. DD is also hosting a twitter contest. Follow @DunkinDonuts on Twitter and answer the question "How do you take your Dunkin' coffee?," using the special hashtag #DunkinNCD. Five hundred and ninety-nine (599) winners will be randomly selected from all participants to receive a 16 oz. bag of Dunkin' Donuts' packaged coffee.

Tim Hortons

They're giving away free coffee, sort of. With a printed coupon, you can get a buy one get one free coffee deal. Click Here for the coupon or "Like" the Tim Horton Facebook page to get yours today.