Teacher Appreciation Week Freebies And Discounts Complete Guide For Educators

Teacher Appreciation Week, observed annually during the first full week of May, has become a significant period when educators across the United States receive special recognition through discounts, free meals, and exclusive offers from businesses. In 2025, this celebration runs from May 5th through May 9th, with National Teacher Appreciation Day specifically falling on Tuesday, May 6th. This comprehensive guide details the freebies, discounts, and special offers available to teachers during this appreciation period, based on verified information from participating businesses and promotional sources.

Understanding Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week began in 1984 and has since become a tradition where restaurants, retailers, and service providers show gratitude to educators through special offers. The week always starts on the first Monday in May and concludes on Friday. During this period, teachers and school staff can present valid identification to access exclusive benefits that may include complimentary meals, discounts on merchandise, and special services.

The recognition extends beyond just classroom teachers, often including school nurses, administrators, counselors, and support staff. Most offers require verification of employment status through school IDs, work badges, or third-party verification services like ID.me. Participation and specific offer details may vary by location, so educators are encouraged to check with their local establishments before visiting.

Restaurant Freebies and Deals

Restaurants represent one of the most generous categories during Teacher Appreciation Week, with numerous establishments offering complimentary meals, significant discounts, or buy-one-get-one-free specials.

Fast Food and Quick Service Offers

Fast-food chains typically participate with straightforward promotions that are easy for teachers to access during their busy schedules:

• Burger King provides a FREE Whopper Jr. with any $1 or more purchase, available both online and through their app during the appreciation period.
• Chick-fil-A offers participating locations a potential freebie such as a Chicken Sandwich or 8-count nuggets, though teachers may need to order through specific channels like online, in-app, or in-store.
• Peter Piper Pizza gives educators a free 1-topping personal pan pizza during Teacher Appreciation Week, particularly at Arizona and Albuquerque locations between 3-7 p.m. with valid school ID presentation.

Casual Dining Establishments

Casual restaurant chains often provide more substantial offers during Teacher Appreciation Week:

• Abuelo's offers 20% off the entire check on Tuesday, May 6th, at all locations when educators present a valid teaching or school staff ID. This discount is valid for dine-in orders only.
• Applebee's provides a complimentary appetizer up to $12 value with an adult entrée purchase from April 28th through May 10th. Teachers and nurses can mention the promotion along with their school or work badge to their server.
• Buffalo Wild Wings extends a 20% discount to teachers and school staff with valid IDs during May 5-11, applicable to dine-in, call-in, and walk-in orders.
• Logan's Roadhouse offers an exclusive discount on entrees specifically for teachers during the appreciation week.
• Mountain Mike's Pizza provides a discount on any pizza when teachers use a special promo code at checkout online or through the app from May 4-8.
• Original ChopShop anticipates offering discounts on both online and in-store orders for educators during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Coffee and Beverage Specials

Beverage establishments frequently participate with free drinks or special discounts:

• Barnes & Noble Café offers complimentary coffee to teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.
• McAlister's Deli provides a FREE Big tea with dine-in or takeout orders during the appreciation period, and may also hold a giveaway for a catered lunch for one teacher and 30 coworkers.
• Smoothie King offers 20% off orders to teachers and nurses starting on May 6th when they present valid working IDs in-store.
• SONIC has a free rewards program called the Teachers' Circle exclusively for educators available through the SONIC App. Teachers, faculty, or staff at K-12 or degree-granting universities can sign up before May 5th to access exclusive rewards from May 5-9, including free snacks or sides with purchase, buy-one-get-one-free SONIC Blasts, and $1.99 Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburgers.

Mexican Food and Pizza Offers

Several Mexican food chains and pizza restaurants participate with teacher-specific promotions:

• Chipotle gives teachers and healthcare workers the opportunity to sign up online to be among 200,000 people (100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers) randomly selected to win a free burrito e-card. The giveaway runs through May 13th, and winners must verify their employment status via ID.me within 48 hours to receive their reward.
• Tacodeli shows appreciation by offering a free taco to all educators who present a valid school ID or badge on May 6th. No purchase is necessary, though the offer is limited to one free taco per educator and is available in-restaurant only while supplies last.
• Chicken Salad Chick provides a BOGO (buy-one-get-one-free) deal on their large Quick Chick Salads during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
• Mod Pizza offers teachers a BOGO free Mod-size pizza or salad during Teacher Appreciation Week.
• La Madeleine predicts a BOGO offer on bakery items when teachers order through the La Madeleine Bonjour Rewards app on Teacher Appreciation Day, May 5th.

Other Notable Restaurant Offers

Several additional establishments show their appreciation with teacher-specific deals:

• Beef 'O' Brady's provides an exclusive discount on orders during Teacher Appreciation Week when teachers show a valid work ID.
• Bubbakoo's Burritos offers a discount on the entire in-store purchase for teachers.
• Dickey's Barbecue Pit extends a discount on in-store purchases when teachers present a valid work ID.
• Firehouse Subs participates in Teacher Appreciation Week, though specific offer details were not fully detailed in the source material.
• Insomnia Cookies provides a BOGO free Classic cookie offer during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
• THB Bagels offers 10% off catering orders of $100 or more, with teachers able to request an exclusive code for the discount by emailing [email protected].

Retail and Service Discounts

Beyond restaurants, numerous retailers and service providers offer special discounts and promotions during Teacher Appreciation Week and throughout the year.

Clothing and Accessories

Several fashion and accessory companies recognize teachers with special offers:

• Crocs provides teachers with 15% off when they verify their teacher status through ID.me.
• Dearfoams offers a promotion where customers can buy any pair of Dearfoams and receive a free pair to give to a teacher, with the free pair provided via email as a promo code.

Educational Services and Resources

Companies that support educational needs often provide special offers for teachers:

• Canva offers Canva for Education free to teachers at eligible schools.
• Stitch Fix provides a discount on the first Fix when teachers verify eligibility through ID.me.

Other Retailer Discounts

Various other retailers extend special appreciation offers to educators:

• Target offers a 10% teacher discount during Teacher Appreciation Week.
• The Parking Spot, a near-airport parking company, provides educators with 25% off parking in May for travel anytime through the end of the year when they sign up with an associated education email account.

Everyday Teacher Discounts

In addition to special promotions during Teacher Appreciation Week, many businesses offer year-round discounts specifically for educators:

• BJ's Wholesale Club provides ID.me verified educators with a $10 reward when they sign up for a BJ's Wholesale Club membership for $25 (regularly $60).
• Costco offers new members a Shop Card when they sign up for a membership, with Executive members receiving a $40 Shop Card and Gold Star members receiving a $20 Shop Card.
• Blick Art Materials gives teachers who join the Blick Preferred program 10% savings every day.
• Eyemart Express extends a 20% discount (in-store only) to any school employee, including educators, nurses, custodial staff, food service workers, and bus drivers at accredited public or private schools (PK-12, college, or university) with proper school ID.
• Lenovo offers educators 5% savings every day on their website.

How to Access These Offers

Teachers planning to take advantage of these appreciation offers should keep several tips in mind:

1. Always bring valid identification: Most offers require presentation of a school ID, work badge, or other proof of employment in the education field.

2. Check for location-specific details: While many offers are national, participation can vary by location. Calling ahead or checking the company's website for specific location details is recommended.

3. Note expiration dates: Some offers have limited timeframes or may only be available on specific days during Teacher Appreciation Week.

4. Consider verification services: Some offers require verification through third-party services like ID.me, which may take some time to set up before accessing discounts.

5. Read the fine print: Pay attention to purchase requirements, limitations on combinations with other offers, and any restrictions on how the discount or freebie can be redeemed.

6. Download relevant apps: Some offers, like those from SONIC, require participation through specific mobile apps.

7. Plan ahead: For offers that require registration or verification, completing these steps before the promotion period begins ensures smooth access to benefits.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week provides educators with numerous opportunities to enjoy complimentary meals, discounts on products and services, and special recognition for their dedication to students. From free meals at popular restaurant chains to discounts on educational resources and everyday items, these offers demonstrate the value society places on teaching professionals.

Educators should note that offers may vary by year and location, with some businesses announcing their participation closer to the actual appreciation week. Many of these promotions require valid identification and may have specific terms or limitations. Beyond the special week, numerous retailers and service providers extend year-round discounts to teachers, providing ongoing benefits throughout the academic year.

As Teacher Appreciation Week approaches, teachers are encouraged to check with their favorite local businesses and national chains for specific offers, as additional promotions may be announced. By taking advantage of these opportunities, educators can enjoy well-deserved perks while feeling appreciated by the businesses that serve their communities.

Sources

1. Teacher Appreciation Week Freebies & Deals 2025
2. Freebies & Deals for Teacher Appreciation Week
3. National Teacher Appreciation Day Deals