Teacher Appreciation Week represents a significant annual event in the United States, typically observed during the first full week of May. During this period, numerous national restaurant chains and local food establishments offer special deals, discounts, and free items to educators and school staff. These offers generally require verification of employment status, often through the presentation of a valid school identification badge or work ID. The available promotions range from free meals and beverages to percentage-based discounts on food purchases. While many offers are concentrated around the official Teacher Appreciation Week, some brands extend these benefits throughout the year or offer them as recurring perks for educators.
National Restaurant Chains Offering Teacher Appreciation Deals
Several major national restaurant chains participate in Teacher Appreciation Week by offering specific freebies or discounts. The availability of these offers often varies by location, and participation is not universal across all franchises.
Applebees
Applebees offers benefits to educators that extend beyond a single week of celebration. According to available data, select Applebees locations provide school staff and educators with a discount on their meals during Teacher Appreciation Week. Furthermore, the brand offers a VIP Teacher Appreciation Card, which grants a 20 percent discount on food for a full year. Consumers are advised to check with their local Applebees to confirm current availability of these offers.
Burger King
Burger King has been noted to offer free fries with any purchase during Teacher Appreciation Week. Additionally, there are reports of a specific freebie available on National Teacher Appreciation Day, which falls on May 5. This specific offer may require a purchase, such as a free Whopper Jr. with any $1 online or in-app purchase. Educators should verify the specific terms and validity dates with their local Burger King, as offers may vary.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is a frequent participant in Teacher Appreciation Week. Participating restaurants often offer free items to teachers, such as a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich or 8-count nuggets. These deals typically require a valid school ID. Some offers may be restricted to specific ordering methods, such as online, in-app, or in-store purchases. In previous years, some locations have also provided free breakfast or lunch to teachers.
Chipotle
Chipotle has historically run a significant giveaway during Teacher Appreciation Week. The brand has offered to give away 100,000 burritos in the form of Burrito E-Cards to teachers and school staff. To participate, educators typically need to sign up online within a specific window (e.g., through May 13). Selection is random, and selected winners must verify their employment status via ID.me within 48 hours to receive the free burrito e-gift card. Select Chipotle locations may also offer BOGO (buy one get one) burritos, burrito bowls, salads, and tacos during the week.
McAlister’s Deli
McAlister’s Deli offers a free beverage (iced tea or lemonade) to teachers during the appreciation period. In some instances, this offer is available with any entrée purchase. Additionally, McAlister’s has run a catered lunch giveaway for teachers who enter via an online form.
Peter Piper Pizza
Peter Piper Pizza offers a free personal pizza to teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. The offer is typically valid for a 7-inch, one-topping pizza available between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at participating locations. This offer is generally restricted to specific regions, such as Arizona and Albuquerque, and requires the presentation of a school ID.
Potbelly
Potbelly provides a complimentary cookie or regular-sized fountain drink to teachers with the purchase of any entrée. This offer is valid in-shop only and requires teachers to show their ID to redeem it. The offer usually applies to transactions from Monday through Sunday of Teacher Appreciation Week.
Whataburger
Whataburger offers a free breakfast entrée to teachers during specific morning hours (5 to 9 a.m.) Monday through Friday. This offer requires presenting a valid school ID when ordering for dine-in, drive-thru, or takeout. The offer is not available through the Whataburger website or app and is restricted to in-restaurant redemption at participating locations.
Local and Regional Restaurant Offers
In addition to national chains, many local and regional restaurants offer unique deals for educators. These offers are often highly specific to the location and year.
Happy Joe’s
Happy Joe’s offers a 20 percent discount on pizza orders at participating locations during Teacher Appreciation Week. This discount requires the presentation of a valid school ID.
Insomnia Cookies
Insomnia Cookies has offered free classic cookies to teachers (and nurses) during the appreciation period. This offer typically requires proof of employment and is available for a limited duration, such as from May 6 to May 13.
Molly's Cupcakes
Molly's Cupcakes has been noted to offer free cupcakes to teachers during the celebration week, though specific redemption details usually require checking with the local store.
Smoothie King
Smoothie King offers a 20 percent discount on in-store orders to teachers during specific dates, such as May 6-8, when a valid working ID is shown.
Sonic Drive-in
Sonic Drive-in offers deals specifically for members of its Sonic Teachers’ Circle rewards program. To access these deals, teachers must join the free program by downloading the Sonic app, creating an account, and updating their profile to designate themselves as a teacher. Once enrolled, members can access deals such as a free Sonic Snack or side with purchase, BOGO Sonic Blasts, and discounted Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburgers.
Tijuana Flats
Tijuana Flats has offered a 20 percent discount on dine-in or carryout orders during Teacher Appreciation Week. To redeem, teachers must show a valid ID and use a specific discount code, such as "NURTEA25."
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings has offered a deal consisting of six boneless wings for $1 with the purchase of any BBW Burger during the appreciation week.
Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick has offered BOGO free deals on their large Quick Chick Salads during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit frequently offers a discount on in-store purchases when a valid work ID is shown. In previous years, they have also offered a free Big Yellow Cup with a $10 purchase.
Dunn Brothers Coffee
Dunn Brothers Coffee has offered deals such as two medium coffee-based drinks for $10 during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Eddie Merlot's
Eddie Merlot's has been known to offer a free dessert with the purchase of an entree to teachers who present a valid school ID.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard
Freddy’s Frozen Custard offers a free mini sundae to teachers with a valid school ID.
Green Mill
Green Mill offers half-price taps on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during Teacher Appreciation Week. Additionally, they may offer a free appetizer with any food purchase on May 5.
Huddle House
Huddle House has offered free meals to teachers in previous years. Availability should be confirmed with the local restaurant.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice offers a free small Ice or Gelati on Teacher Appreciation Day. Social media channels are recommended for confirming the offer for the current year.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
Mountain Mike’s Pizza offers a discount (e.g., $15 off any pizza) with a specific promo code during the overlap of Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week.
Shipley Do-Nuts
Shipley Do-Nuts has offered free food items, such as tacos, to educators during the appreciation period. This offer typically requires a school ID or badge and is available in-restaurant only.
THB Bagels
THB Bagels offers a 10 percent discount on catering orders of $100 or more. Educators can request an exclusive code for the discount via email.
Non-Food Retailers and Software Discounts
While the focus is often on food, several non-food retailers and software companies offer discounts to educators, often year-round.
Adidas
Adidas offers an exclusive discount to educators, typically 30 percent off online and in-store purchases, and 15 percent at factory outlets.
Adobe
Adobe provides significant discounts on software, including over 60 percent off Creative Cloud software, for teachers and students.
Ann Taylor LOFT
Ann Taylor LOFT offers a daily discount of 15 percent in-store with a teacher ID. Additional discounts are often available online during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Apple
Apple offers special pricing on devices such as Macs and iPads for educators.
General Eligibility and Redemption Rules
Across the various offers, several common requirements and redemption rules apply.
- Identification: The vast majority of offers require a valid school ID or work badge. Some offers may accept a driver's license alongside a visible work badge if the ID is not sufficient alone.
- Participation: Offers are valid only at participating locations. Franchise-owned restaurants may choose not to participate, so checking with the local store is essential.
- Timing: Many offers are strictly time-sensitive, valid only during the specific dates of National Teacher Appreciation Week (usually the first full week of May) or on National Teacher Appreciation Day (May 5).
- Ordering Method: Some deals are restricted to specific ordering channels. For example, certain offers are valid only for in-store orders, while others require using a specific app or online ordering platform.
- Verification: For giveaways, such as the Chipotle burrito giveaway, winners are required to verify their employment status through third-party verification services like ID.me within a set timeframe (e.g., 48 hours) to claim the reward.
Conclusion
Teacher Appreciation Week provides a wide array of food-related freebies and discounts for educators across the United States. The offers range from free meals and beverages at national chains like Chick-fil-A and Chipotle to percentage-based discounts at local establishments. To access these benefits, educators must generally present a valid school ID and adhere to specific timeframes and location restrictions. While many deals are concentrated in early May, some brands, such as Applebees and Adidas, offer educator discounts year-round. Educators are encouraged to verify offer details directly with participating locations or through official brand channels before attempting to redeem discounts.