Teacher Appreciation Week in 2019 took place from May 6 through May 10, with the primary celebration occurring on Tuesday, May 7, recognized as National Teacher Appreciation Day. During this period, numerous restaurant chains and retailers offered special discounts and complimentary items to educators, administrators, and school staff as a gesture of gratitude for their work throughout the academic year. Among the participating brands, Chick-fil-A emerged as a prominent participant, offering various free food items at select locations across the United States.
Chick-fil-A Participation and Location Variations
While Chick-fil-A is a national brand, the specific promotions available during Teacher Appreciation Week 2019 were largely determined by individual franchise operators. Multiple sources indicated that participation and offer details varied significantly by location. Consequently, educators were advised to contact their local Chick-fil-A restaurant or check its social media pages prior to visiting to confirm specific deal availability.
For example, reports from specific regions highlighted distinct offers. In Gardendale, Alabama, and other participating locations in Birmingham, Chick-fil-A offered a free Chick-fil-A sandwich to teachers and other hometown heroes. In the Pittsburgh area, different franchises operated on separate schedules: * The Chick-fil-A in Robinson offered a free Chick-fil-A Biscuit on Tuesday, May 7, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. * The Chick-fil-A on McKnight Road offered a free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich on Wednesday, May 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Offer Details and Redemption Requirements
To redeem these freebies, educators were generally required to present a valid school ID or other documentation identifying them as faculty or staff. The specific timing and type of food item differed based on the day and participating store.
May 7 Offers (National Teacher Appreciation Day)
On the primary day of celebration, Tuesday, May 7, the following offers were reported: * Gardendale, AL and Birmingham, AL: Free Chick-fil-A sandwich (valid ID required). * Robinson, PA: Free Chick-fil-A Biscuit (6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.). * General Participation: Some locations offered free Chicken Minis before 10:00 a.m. or a free Chicken Sandwich after 10:30 a.m. all day.
May 8 Offers
- McKnight Road, PA: Free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich (10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
Regional and Franchise-Specific Variations
The variety of offers demonstrates the decentralized nature of the promotion. While some franchises offered sandwiches, others provided biscuits. The timing also varied; some locations restricted offers to morning hours, while others offered items throughout the day or on different days of the week.
In addition to the standard free sandwich offers, some Chick-fil-A locations engaged in community outreach. The Chick-fil-A in South Hills, Pennsylvania, accepted nominations from students for "an awesome teacher," at which point the restaurant sent the nominated teacher a surprise coupon. This initiative went beyond the standard "show ID and receive food" model, adding a personalized element to the appreciation efforts.
Other Restaurant Deals During Teacher Appreciation Week 2019
While Chick-fil-A was a major participant, other restaurant chains also offered significant deals for educators during the week of May 6-10, 2019. These deals often complemented the Chick-fil-A offers, providing educators with a variety of dining options.
Chipotle
Chipotle offered a prominent "Buy One, Get One" (BOGO) deal on Tuesday, May 7, from 3:00 p.m. until closing. This offer applied to burritos, bowls, salads, and orders of tacos. The deal was valid for teachers, faculty, and staff with a valid school ID. It was explicitly noted that this offer was only valid for orders placed in the restaurant, not through the mobile app.
Cici's Pizza
Cici's Pizza offered a free adult buffet to teachers and administrative staff on Tuesday, May 7. This required a valid school ID and, in some reports, a specific coupon.
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic offered a free Route 44 Drink or Slush to teachers who ordered ahead through the SONIC app using the promo code TEACHERS. This offer was valid with any purchase and ran from Tuesday, May 7, through Friday, May 31.
Mod Pizza
Mod Pizza offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal on pizzas or salads on Tuesday, May 7. This required a valid school ID.
McAlister's Deli
McAlister's Deli offered a free cup of tea to teachers from May 6 through May 10.
Raising Cane's
Raising Cane's offered a free box combo meal on Tuesday, May 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to teachers and school faculty.
Bruegger's Bagels
Bruegger's Bagels offered a free medium coffee with any purchase throughout the week (May 6-10) for teachers showing a valid school ID.
Retail and Non-Food Discounts
Teacher Appreciation Week 2019 extended beyond food services to include retail discounts and unique travel opportunities.
Retailers
- Banana Republic: Teachers could show a valid teacher ID in stores to receive 15% off.
- Belk: This department store chain offered teachers up to 20% off select purchases.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Teachers received 20% off when dining in through May 10.
Travel and Lifestyle
- Cheap Caribbean: In a unique promotion, Cheap Caribbean offered 50 free round-trip flights to Mexico to teachers. To qualify, teachers needed to sign up for the "Beach 4 Teach Club" before May 10.
- Crayola: Crayola offered 15% off site-wide until 10:00 a.m. on a specific date during the appreciation period.
General Guidelines for Redeeming Teacher Appreciation Offers
Based on the collective information from 2019, several universal rules applied to redeeming these offers:
- Identification: A valid school ID was the standard requirement across almost all participating brands. Some locations accepted homeschool ID cards or other documentation proving employment or status as an educator.
- Location Verification: Because many restaurant offers were franchise-dependent, it was essential to verify participation with the specific local outlet. National press releases often listed participating brands, but the specific terms (such as "free sandwich" vs. "free biscuit") were determined locally.
- Dine-In vs. Carry-Out: Several offers, particularly the Chipotle BOGO deal, were restricted to in-restaurant orders and were not valid through mobile apps or drive-thrus.
- Timing: Many offers were time-sensitive, restricted to specific hours on May 7 (e.g., 3:00 p.m. to close), or limited to specific days of the week.
Conclusion
Teacher Appreciation Week 2019 provided a wide array of freebies and discounts for educators across the United States. Chick-fil-A stood out for its widespread participation and varied offers, ranging from free biscuits to full sandwiches, though these varied by location and date. Complementary offers from chains like Chipotle, Cici's, and Sonic provided additional value, while retailers like Banana Republic and travel companies like Cheap Caribbean expanded the scope of appreciation beyond food. The common thread across all offers was the requirement of valid school identification and the necessity of verifying specific local participation terms.