2025 Graduation Freebies And Deals A Guide To Celebratory Offers For Recent Graduates

Graduation season for the Class of 2025 brings a variety of promotional offers from restaurants, retailers, and service providers seeking to celebrate academic achievements. These offers range from complimentary food items and bonus gift cards to retail discounts and professional memberships. The availability of these deals typically requires specific actions from graduates, such as wearing graduation regalia, presenting proof of graduation, or purchasing gift cards to unlock bonus rewards. Many of these promotions are time-sensitive, with validity periods extending through June 2025 and occasionally into July and August.

The following guide details the specific offers available, the requirements for redemption, and the terms and conditions associated with each promotion.

Restaurant and Food Service Offers

A significant portion of the available graduation freebies originates from the food service industry. These promotions are designed to cater to graduation celebrations, offering both immediate gratification for the graduate and incentives for group dining or gift card purchases.

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies has a uniform offer for graduates of high school, college, or graduate school. The promotion provides a Buy One Get One (BOGO) free deal on Classic cookies. To redeem this offer, graduates must visit a local Insomnia Cookies location wearing their cap and gown. The offer is valid through June 30, 2025. This deal is available at participating locations and requires the customer to be in possession of graduation attire to claim the free cookie.

Buca di Beppo

Buca di Beppo offers a complimentary cannoli for every graduate in the party when a graduation celebration is booked at their restaurant. This offer is valid for dine-in service only. The promotion implies that the cannoli is served to all graduating members of the dining party, provided a reservation or booking is made for a graduation event.

Perkins

Perkins offers a free Mammoth Muffin to graduates who visit a participating location while wearing their 2025 graduation gear (cap or gown). This offer is valid through June 25, 2025. Additionally, Perkins offers a sweepstakes element: graduates who share a photo of themselves in their cap at Perkins and tag @eatatperkins on social media have a chance to win a $100 Perkins gift card.

TGI Fridays

TGI Fridays offers a free appetizer or dessert to graduates who order an entree. To qualify, graduates must present a student ID. The offer is valid through June 30, 2025. This promotion is designed to add value to a full meal purchase, incentivizing dine-in visits during the graduation season.

Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery is offering a free classic cupcake to recent graduates of any age. To claim the cupcake, graduates must visit a store location wearing their cap and gown or presenting their 2025 diploma. This offer is valid through June 30, 2025.

Golden Corral

Golden Corral offers a free buffet and beverage to graduates at participating locations. The offer requires the graduate to wear their cap and gown. Because participation varies by location, graduates are advised to call their local Golden Corral in advance to confirm the availability of this promotion.

Logan’s Roadhouse

Logan’s Roadhouse offers a gift card promotion valid through June 9, 2025. Customers who purchase $50 in gift cards receive two $10 bonus cards. The bonus cards are valid for use through July 31, 2025. This offer is structured to encourage gift card purchases, providing immediate bonus value for future dining.

Bonefish Grill

Bonefish Grill offers a $10 bonus card to customers who purchase a $50 gift card. This promotion is valid from June 23 through August 24, 2025. The bonus card serves as an incentive for purchasing gift cards, which can be used for future visits.

McAlister’s Deli

McAlister’s Deli offers a $5 reward voucher for every $25 gift card purchased through June 15, 2025. To redeem the voucher, customers must have a registered McAlister’s Rewards account. The voucher must be unlocked in the account before it can be used.

Miller’s Ale House

Miller’s Ale House offers a $10 bonus gift card to customers who purchase a $50 gift card for a graduate. This offer is valid through June 29, 2025. The bonus card is valid for use from June 30 through August 31, 2025.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Moe’s Southwest Grill offers $5 in Moe’s Rewards for every $25 gift card purchased through June 16, 2025. This promotion rewards customers with loyalty points that can be redeemed for future food purchases.

First Watch

First Watch offers $10 in Bonus Bucks to customers who spend $50 on First Watch gift cards. The validity period for the bonus bucks is from May 5, 2025, to July 27, 2025, excluding May 11 and June 15, 2025.

IHOP

IHOP offers a $5 bonus card to customers who purchase a $25 gift card through June 30, 2025. The bonus card is valid through August 25, 2025. This provides a 20% return on the gift card purchase value.

Applebee’s

Applebee’s offers a $10 bonus card to customers who purchase $50 in Applebee’s gift cards online or in-store through June 29, 2025. The bonus card is valid for use the day after purchase through August 3, 2025.

Auntie Anne’s

Auntie Anne’s offers a $5 bonus reward for every $25 spent on gift cards through June 15, 2025. A rewards account, which is free to join, is required for bonus card redemption. The bonus cards can be used through July 15, 2025, with a limit of one per customer per transaction.

Benihana

Benihana is running two gift card promotions through June 15, 2025, offering up to $60 in bonuses. Specific details on the thresholds for these bonuses were not fully expanded in the provided text, but the promotion is structured to reward gift card purchases with significant bonus value.

Kolache Factory

Kolache Factory offers $5 off $50 online orders through June 30, 2025. Customers must use the code GRAD25 at checkout to receive the discount.

Bertucci’s

Bertucci’s offers a graduation package designed to feed 10 to 20 people. When spending $100 or more, customers receive a tray of mini chocolate chip cannoli. Customers must use the code GRAD2025 to access this offer.

Retail and Technology Offers

Beyond food and beverage, several retail and technology companies offer incentives for recent graduates, ranging from software trials to vehicle rebates.

Amazon

Amazon offers a free 6-month trial of Amazon Prime Student. This trial includes Prime-exclusive deals and free delivery. After the trial period, the subscription costs $7.49 per month. This offer is targeted at students looking to access Prime benefits without an immediate financial commitment.

Canva

Canva allows graduates to customize and print graduation announcement templates. This service is available by signing up for a free Canva account. While the account is free, printing services may incur costs, but the design and customization tools are accessible at no charge.

Microsoft

Microsoft offers free access to Office 365 for students. The software suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive. This offer allows students to utilize professional-grade software for their academic or early career needs without cost.

Potbelly

Potbelly offers free delivery on catering orders of $150 or more when the promo code FREEDELIVERY is used during checkout at Potbelly.com. This offer is likely targeted at graduates planning larger graduation parties or gatherings.

Toyota

Toyota offers a $500 rebate on all new, unlicensed Toyota models. To qualify, customers must finance or lease through a Toyota dealer and Toyota Financial Services. Eligibility requires proof of graduation within the previous two years from the purchase date, or proof of current enrollment in an eligible undergraduate or graduate program, along with proof of current employment. This rebate is a significant financial incentive for recent graduates entering the vehicle market.

Professional and Educational Memberships

For graduates looking to advance their careers, there are opportunities to join professional organizations at no cost.

National Society of Professional Engineers

The National Society of Professional Engineers offers a free student membership to full-time students. This membership provides networking opportunities, mentorship, and educational resources relevant to the engineering field. This offer is specifically for students in the engineering discipline.

Important Considerations for Graduates

When seeking these offers, graduates should be aware of several general conditions that apply across most promotions:

• Participation Varies: Offers and prices may vary by location. It is recommended to call participating locations ahead of time to confirm availability and specific terms.
• Proof of Graduation: Many offers require physical proof of graduation status, such as wearing a cap and gown, presenting a diploma, or showing a student ID.
• Time Sensitivity: Most offers are valid only through specific dates in June 2025, with some extending into July and August. Gift card purchase promotions often have earlier deadlines.
• Account Requirements: Some offers, particularly those involving loyalty rewards or bonus cards (e.g., Auntie Anne’s, McAlister’s), require the customer to have a registered account with the brand.

Conclusion

The Class of 2025 has access to a diverse range of freebies and deals designed to celebrate their graduation. From free cookies and cannolis to substantial gift card bonuses and vehicle rebates, the offers cover various aspects of a graduate's immediate and near-future needs. To maximize these opportunities, graduates should verify participation at local establishments, keep track of expiration dates, and ensure they have the necessary identification or proof of graduation status when visiting participating locations.

Sources

1. The Krazy Coupon Lady: Freebies for Graduates
2. Hip2Save: Best Freebies for Graduates in 2025
3. Cleveland.com: Celebrate the Class of 2025 with these sweet deals and freebies
4. LiveNow Fox: Free deals for 2025 graduates