As the graduation season for the Class of 2025 approaches, various brands and retailers are announcing promotional offers and free items to celebrate academic milestones. These offers typically require proof of graduation status, such as wearing a cap and gown, presenting a diploma, or showing a student ID. The availability of these deals often varies by location and is subject to specific terms and expiration dates. Based on current promotional announcements, the following is a summary of freebies and deals available to high school and college graduates.
Restaurant and Food Freebies
Several food and beverage brands have released offers for graduates. These promotions generally require in-store visits and specific proof of graduation, such as wearing academic regalia.
Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme is offering a promotion for the Class of 2025. On Wednesday, May 28 (referred to as "Grad Day"), high school and college graduates can receive a free Original Glazed 3-pack. To qualify, graduates must wear their cap and gown or other 2025 swag. Additionally, participants have the chance to win free Original Glazed dozens for a year. Another source mentions that Krispy Kreme is providing a "Senior Day Dozen" (eight Original Glazed doughnuts and four custom 2022 doughnuts) to seniors who wear Class of 2022 swag on May 25, though this date appears to be from a previous year. The specific swag allowed is detailed on the Krispy Kreme website.
Magnolia Bakery Magnolia Bakery is offering a free Classic Cupcake to graduates who present their cap and gown or 2025 diploma. This offer is valid until June 30.
Xing Fu Tang Xing Fu Tang is offering a free drink of choice to graduates who visit any of their New York City locations wearing a cap and gown.
Insomnia Cookies Insomnia Cookies is celebrating graduates with a BOGO (Buy One Get One) free offer on Classic cookies when wearing a cap and gown. This offer is valid through June 30. A separate report indicates that graduates who wear their cap and gown in-store and mention the offer can receive a free 6-pack of Classic cookies with a $5 in-store purchase, valid through June 30, 2025. If a graduate does not have a cap and gown, they can show any proof of graduation to receive the offer.
Buca di Beppo Buca di Beppo is offering a free cannoli to graduates. To receive the cannoli, graduates must book a graduation celebration at the restaurant. This offer is valid for dine-in only.
TGI Fridays TGI Fridays offers a free appetizer or dessert to graduates who order an entree and show a student ID. This offer is valid through June 30, 2025.
Potbelly Potbelly is offering free delivery on catering orders of $150 or more. To use this offer, the promo code FREEDELIVERY must be used during checkout at Potbelly.com.
Bertucci’s Bertucci’s is offering a graduation package designed to feed 10 to 20 people. The package includes a tray of mini chocolate chip cannoli when a customer spends $100 or more. Customers must use the code GRAD2025 to redeem this offer.
Bonefish Grill Bonefish Grill is offering a $10 bonus gift card when a customer purchases a $50 gift card. The purchased gift card is redeemable from June 23 to August 24.
Chipotle Chipotle previously offered a free drink to the graduating class of 2022 upon showing a student ID. While a specific offer for the Class of 2025 was not explicitly detailed in the provided source data, the brand has historically acknowledged graduates with small perks.
Retail and Entertainment Offers
Beyond food, specific venues and retailers are offering free admission or membership benefits to recent graduates.
Edge & Vessel Edge & Vessel is offering free entry from May 1 to May 29 to graduates who show their cap, gown, and student ID at the Box Office. Guests accompanying the graduate will also receive a 20% discount on admission.
Top of the Rock Top of the Rock offers free admission from May 1 to May 31, 2025. Graduates can visit in their cap and gown or show proof of graduation to receive this offer.
TDF Graduation Gift The TDF (Theatre Development Fund) is offering a free membership for 2025 high school graduates from NYC public or charter schools. This is referred to as the "TDF Graduation Gift."
Microsoft Microsoft offers a free version of Office 365 to students. The software suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive.
Canva Canva allows users to customize and print graduation announcement templates. A free account is required to access these templates.
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.
Automotive and Professional Memberships
Toyota Toyota is offering a $500 rebate on all new, unlicensed Toyota models. To qualify, graduates must finance or lease through a Toyota dealer and Toyota Financial Services. Eligibility requires presenting 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.
National Society of Professional Engineers Full-time students are eligible for a free student membership in the National Society of Professional Engineers. This membership provides networking opportunities, mentors, and education regarding the engineering field.
Eligibility and Verification Requirements
To redeem most graduation offers, consumers must adhere to specific verification processes. The most common requirement is wearing a cap and gown at the time of the visit or purchase. However, some brands accept alternative forms of proof.
- Physical Proof: Cap and gown are the most widely accepted form of verification (e.g., Krispy Kreme, Edge & Vessel, Top of the Rock, Xing Fu Tang).
- Documentation: Some offers accept a 2025 diploma or student ID (e.g., Magnolia Bakery, TGI Fridays).
- Digital Proof: Brands like Insomnia Cookies allow graduates to show "any proof" of graduation if physical regalia is not available.
- Booking Requirements: Buca di Beppo requires the booking of a graduation celebration to receive the free cannoli.
- Promo Codes: Bertucci’s requires the code GRAD2025 for their graduation package.
- Financial Qualification: Toyota requires specific financial documentation and proof of employment or enrollment.
Geographic and Date Limitations
Many of these offers are region-specific. For example, the Xing Fu Tang offer is limited to "any of our NYC locations," and the TDF membership is restricted to graduates of NYC public or charter schools. Other offers, such as those from national chains like Krispy Kreme or Insomnia Cookies, are likely available at participating locations nationwide, though consumers should verify with their local stores.
Expiration dates vary significantly. Offers valid "through June 30" are common (Magnolia Bakery, Insomnia Cookies, TGI Fridays). However, specific event dates like "Grad Day" on May 28 require attention to the specific day of the week. The Top of the Rock offer is valid only through May 31, while the Edge & Vessel offer ends on May 29.
Conclusion
The Class of 2025 has access to a variety of freebies and promotional deals ranging from food and beverages to entertainment and retail discounts. The primary method for accessing these offers involves verifying graduation status, typically through the presentation of a cap and gown or a 2025 diploma. Because offers are subject to change, varying participation by location, and specific expiration dates, consumers are advised to check directly with the participating brands or official promotional pages before visiting.