Comprehensive Guide To Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 Freebies And Discounts

Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, scheduled for May 5 through May 9, offers a variety of complimentary items and discounts for educators across the United States. Numerous national and regional brands have announced promotions to honor teachers and school staff. These offers range from free food and beverages to digital resources and classroom supplies. Most promotions require verification of educator status, typically through a valid school ID, a school email address, or enrollment in a specific rewards program. The availability of these offers often varies by location, and many are limited to specific dates within the appreciation week.

Free Food and Restaurant Offers

A significant number of restaurant chains are participating in Teacher Appreciation Week by offering free menu items. These promotions generally apply to educators who present a valid school ID or badge. Some offers are valid for the entire week, while others are specific to May 6, recognized as National Teacher Day.

• Applebee’s: Many locations are offering a free appetizer or dessert with an entrée purchase. Availability varies by location.
• Atomic Wings: Educators can receive a free 5-piece order of boneless wings with fries on May 6. This offer is available for dine-in only.
• Burger King: The chain is expected to offer free fries with any purchase for educators. App alerts are recommended for local specifics.
• Chick-fil-A: Many locations provided free breakfast or lunch to teachers in 2024. Educators should check with their local store for 2025 promotions.
• Dickey’s BBQ Pit: In 2024, Dickey’s offered a free Big Yellow Cup with a $10 purchase. Educators should check for this year's offer.
• Eddie Merlot’s: Teachers receive a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée throughout the week. A valid teacher’s ID is required, and the offer is not valid with other discounts.
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard: Educators with a valid school ID receive a free mini sundae.
• Hat Creek Burger Co.: All school staff can get a free Little Hat Burger on May 6. In 2024, the chain offered a free menu item for Teacher Appreciation Day.
• Huddle House: Free meals for teachers were offered in 2024. Educators should check with local restaurants to confirm 2025 deals.
• Insomnia Cookies: Last year, teachers with a valid ID received a free classic cookie all week.
• Jeremiah’s Italian Ice: A free small Ice or Gelati was offered on Teacher Appreciation Day in 2024. Educators should watch social media channels to confirm the 2025 offer.
• McAlister’s Deli: Teachers receive a free big tea from May 5 to May 12 in-store at participating locations with a badge or ID. The offer is valid in-store only. In 2024, McAlister’s also offered a free beverage (iced tea or lemonade) and a catered lunch giveaway.
• MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes: On May 7, educators can get a buy-one-get-one burger offer when showing an ID. The offer is valid at participating in-store locations only, limit one per customer.
• Old Chicago: While primarily a gift card promotion, educators can purchase a $50 gift card online through May 5 to receive two $10 bonus cards.
• Peter Piper Pizza: Teachers can get a free personal pizza in-store from 3-7 p.m.
• Potbelly: Last year, educators received a free cookie or fountain drink with an entrée purchase. A repeat offer for 2025 is likely.
• RaceTrac: In 2024, educators could get a free medium coffee. Watch for 2025 announcements.
• Shake Shack: Teachers with a valid school ID receive a free milkshake.
• Shipley Do-Nuts: Last year’s offer included a half-dozen glazed donuts free with any purchase for loyalty members.
• Sonic: Educators in the Sonic Teachers’ Circle received app-exclusive freebies last year. Teachers can join the free rewards program by downloading the Sonic app, creating an account, and selecting "I'm a Teacher" in settings.
• Starbucks: Last year, educators could receive a tall brewed coffee at many locations. Check local stores for current offers.
• TGI Fridays: Look out for free entrées for teachers on Teacher Appreciation Day.
• The Greene Turtle: Teachers get a free meal on May 6 with a valid teacher ID. The free dine-in meal is valued up to $15.
• Whataburger: Free breakfast items are available for teachers before 9 a.m. with a valid school ID.
• Zaxby’s: In 2024, they offered a BOGO Boneless Wings Meal for rewards members.

Discounts on Food and Dining

In addition to free items, several restaurants are offering percentage-based discounts to educators during the appreciation week.

• Abuelo’s: Teachers receive 20% off their entire check on Teacher Appreciation Day (May 6). They also get free queso throughout the school year until May 31.
• Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza: In 2024, they offered 20% off with a teacher ID. Educators should check with local restaurants for 2025 deals.
• Bad Daddy’s: This chain offers Bad Ass Margaritas for $5 on Monday, May 5, and $8 for the rest of the month. Half-price appetizers are also available during the two hours before closing time.
• Buffalo Wild Wings: Teachers receive 20% off all week with ID.
• BurgerFi: 20% off orders with teacher ID was offered last year and is likely to return.
• Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Large drinks were $5 for teachers last year. Check for this year's deal.
• Golden Corral: Teachers received 20% off their meal Monday to Friday last year with a school ID.
• Grimaldi’s: Get 15% off orders from May 5 to 9 at participating locations by showing a valid school ID.
• Happy Joe’s: Teachers get 20% off their order at participating locations during the week with a valid school ID.
• HTeaO: In 2024, teachers received 50% off drinks. Keep an eye out for 2025 deals.
• Logan’s Roadhouse: Teachers get 20% off when ordering an entrée from May 5 to 12. A valid ID is required.
• Mountain Mike's Pizza: Teachers receive 15% off all pizzas from May 6 to 9 using the code APPRECIATE25.
• Noodles & Company: In 2024, they offered $15 off catering with a promo code.

Free Classroom and Supply Kits

Staples is a primary provider of classroom supplies during Teacher Appreciation Week.

• Staples: During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-10), teachers can get 20% off their in-store purchase with a valid teacher ID. They can also get a free 12-pack of Tru Red Stick Pens (one per customer while supplies last) using coupons found in the Staples app. In 2024, Staples provided free supply kits with ID, which ran out quickly.

Digital Freebies and Subscriptions

Several online platforms and software providers offer free access or subscriptions to educators, often requiring a school email address for registration.

• Canva for Education: This platform is always free for teachers. Educators can sign up to access classroom-ready design tools.
• Headspace: Educators can receive a free annual subscription by registering with their school email.
• Loom for Education: This video recording platform is free for teachers.
• Microsoft Office 365 Education: Free access is available with a school email. The package includes Word, Excel, Teams, and more.
• WeAreTeachers: Free printable posters are available each year. Designs for 2025 are available on their site.

Retail and Other Promotions

Beyond food and digital tools, other retailers and programs offer incentives for educators.

• Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant: In addition to the 20% discount, school staff receive a 20% discount off their entire check at all locations on May 6.
• Box Tops for Education: During May (Teacher Appreciation Month), educators can get a $5 bonus for their school when downloading the Box Tops app and scanning the first receipt. The code TEACHER must be used to receive the bonus.
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Educators can sign up online for the Awesome Achievement Program to receive up to 90 certificates per school year to honor “Awesome Achiever” students. Students can show the certificate to get a free Snickers Pizookie and will receive an Awesome Achiever silicone bracelet when dining in.
• Doodleface: For Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9), get 20% off sustainable, smudge-free crayon boards online and on Amazon using the code 20LOVETEACH.
• Einstein Bros. Bagels: Get 20% off all gift card purchases made online through June 24.
• Museum of Illusions: Educators get free admission to the 29 locations across the U.S. During Teacher Appreciation Week, educators can register with their work email for a chance to win a Museum of Illusions goodie bag (three winners).

Giveaways and Contests

• Edmentum: To celebrate educator appreciation, Edmentum is giving three lucky winners a $500 gift card to their choice of Amazon or Target. Eligible educators can enter the giveaway, which began on April 28.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 presents a wide array of opportunities for educators to receive free items and discounts from national brands. The majority of food and retail offers require proof of educator status, such as a school ID or email. Offers are frequently location-specific and subject to availability, particularly for physical items like free supply kits or donuts. Educators are advised to verify specific details with their local establishments and to sign up for relevant rewards programs or apps to access app-exclusive deals. Digital resources remain a consistent year-round benefit for teachers, with many platforms offering free access to educational tools and wellness subscriptions.

Sources

1. Edmentum: Educator Deals to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
2. USA Today: Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 deals, free food