Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 is scheduled for May 5 through May 9, providing a dedicated time for businesses to offer discounts, freebies, and special offers to educators and school faculty. The celebration, which originated as a single day in the 1950s before becoming a week-long event in 1986, attracts participation from various national chains and local establishments. Offers during this period typically range from free meals and discounted food to retail discounts and sweepstakes opportunities.
While many deals are available nationwide, some are specific to certain locations or require verification of employment. Educators are generally advised to carry valid school identification and to confirm participation with local franchises prior to visiting, as terms and availability can vary.
Food and Beverage Deals
A significant portion of Teacher Appreciation Week offers focuses on food and beverage discounts. These deals are often available for a limited time during the week and may require proof of employment as a teacher or school faculty member.
National Restaurant Chains
Several high-profile national chains have announced specific promotions for Teacher Appreciation Week 2025:
- Chipotle: Chipotle is offering educators the chance to win a free burrito. The promotion aims to reach 100,000 teachers. While specific entry mechanics were not detailed in the provided materials, participation typically requires online registration or verification of employment status.
- Whataburger: Whataburger is providing a free breakfast menu item to teachers during the appreciation week. Additionally, the chain is granting $1,000 to 75 lucky teachers for their respective schools.
- Applebee’s: Participating Applebee’s locations offer 10% off or a free main course to educators and school faculty during Teacher Appreciation Week. Availability varies by location, and it is recommended to call ahead to verify the specific deal being offered at a local restaurant.
- McDonald’s: Deals at McDonald’s vary by location. Educators should check with their local restaurant to determine what specific offers are available during the appreciation week.
- Chipotle (Sweepstakes): In addition to the burrito giveaway, Chipotle has historically offered sweepstakes where teachers can win free burritos for their staff rooms. For example, joining the Krispy Kreme Rewards program by a specific date (such as May 11) can yield a free dozen donuts for the staff room.
- Krispy Kreme: Educators who join the Krispy Kreme Rewards program by May 11 are eligible to receive a free dozen donuts for their staff room.
- MOD Pizza: MOD Pizza offers a Buy One Get One Free deal on MOD size pizzas or any salads for teachers and nurses during a specific window (e.g., May 6-9).
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Teachers can receive 20% off orders at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- McAlister’s Deli: McAlister’s Deli provides free tea for teachers.
- Raising Cane’s: Raising Cane’s has offered a sweepstakes where 10 teachers receive an all-expenses-paid summer vacation.
- Golden Corral: Teachers receive 20% off one adult buffet purchase (e.g., May 6-10).
- Insomnia Cookies: Educators can get a free classic cookie (e.g., May 6-12).
- RaceTrac: RaceTrac offers free medium coffee to teachers (e.g., May 6-10).
- PDQ: PDQ locations offer 50% off the check for teachers on specific dates (e.g., May 7).
- Salata: Salata extends a buy-one-get-one offer to teachers who show professional identification badges on specific days (e.g., Friday, May 10).
- Sauce Pizza & Wine: Teachers, staff, and faculty receive 15% off the entire order through a specific date (e.g., Friday, May 10).
- Piada Italian Street Food: Buy one get one free piada, pasta, or salad when purchasing one at regular price.
Local and Regional Establishments
In addition to national chains, various local businesses participate in Teacher Appreciation Week. For example, in the Dallas area:
- Bloom Cafe Dallas: Offers 15% off the entire order for teachers and nurses (e.g., May 6-10).
- Gator Pit BBQ: Provides special meal pricing ranging from $8 to $10 (e.g., Tuesday through Friday).
- Galleria Dallas: Complimentary skating during public skating hours.
- Lubellas Patisserie: Offers a special $15 box including 3 mini tarts and a cake truffle, plus a coupon for a free coffee.
- Kessler Baking Studio: Buy one get one free on bags of shortbread cookies.
Bagels and Coffee
Specific deals on baked goods and coffee are also available:
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Gift cards for teachers are 20% off from May 4-8.
- Bloom Cafe Dallas: 15% off for teachers and nurses.
- RaceTrac: Free medium coffee.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond food, several retailers offer year-round or appreciation-week-specific discounts to educators.
Fashion and Crafts
- Loft: Loft offers a year-round 15% off discount for teachers (Loft Rewards). This discount is valid on full-price merchandise only and includes homeschool teachers. The retailer also hosts special teachers-only sweepstakes and appreciation nights.
- Michael’s Craft Store: Michael’s provides a year-round coupon for 15% off entire in-store purchases. Educators must sign up in-store with a valid ID. This offer includes sale items, and Michael's often issues 40% off coupons; however, it is unclear if these specific teacher discounts can be combined with other offers.
- Party City: All schools can receive discounts of up to 20% off, though certain restrictions apply.
Education and Entertainment
- Barnes & Noble: Teachers enrolled in the "Barnes & Noble Educator Program" receive 25% off books on the publisher’s list during education appreciation days. Membership is free.
- SeaWorld San Antonio: Texas credentialed Pre-K-12 school teachers are eligible for a free SeaWorld Card providing unlimited admission to SeaWorld San Antonio. The card is valid from the time of redemption through January 5, 2020.
Automotive and Miscellaneous
- Bee Clean Car Wash: Educators receive a free Bee Hive Wash (a $14.99 value) at all seven locations. To redeem, customers must show their teacher badge or email [email protected] to receive a QR code for the kiosk.
- Costco: Teachers can receive a $30 Costco shop card when purchasing a membership activation. A school name and school email address are required for verification.
- Grimaldi’s: Teachers receive 15% off from May 4-8.
Sweepstakes and Special Programs
Several brands utilize sweepstakes and special programs to engage with educators during the appreciation week.
- Krispy Kreme: As noted, joining the Krispy Kreme Rewards program by May 11 can result in a free dozen donuts for the staff room.
- Raising Cane’s: The chain has run sweepstakes offering an all-expenses-paid summer vacation to 10 teachers.
- Whataburger: In addition to the free breakfast item, Whataburger is granting $1,000 to 75 lucky teachers for their schools.
- Chipotle: The "100,000 teachers to win a free burrito" initiative serves as a major sweepstakes component.
Verification and Eligibility Requirements
Most deals require some form of verification to ensure only eligible educators receive the benefits. The specific requirements vary by business:
- School ID: The most common requirement. Businesses such as Applebee's, Michael's, and Salata require a valid school ID to redeem offers.
- Email Verification: Some offers, such as the Costco shop card, require a school email address and school name for verification.
- Program Enrollment: Certain discounts are tied to specific loyalty or educator programs. For example, the Barnes & Noble discount requires enrollment in the Educator Program, and the Loft discount requires enrollment in Loft Rewards.
- Email Contact: For the Bee Clean Car Wash, teachers must email their information to receive a QR code for the free wash.
- Text-to-Join: Some deals require texting a specific code (e.g., Text TEACH to 97455) to receive a coupon for a free burger with the purchase of fries and a drink.
Timing and Location Specifics
It is important to note that Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 runs from Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9. Many of the food deals listed are valid only during this window, though some retail discounts (like those at Loft and Michael's) are year-round.
Furthermore, deals often vary by franchise location. Businesses such as Applebee's, McDonald's, and Grimaldi's specifically note that offers may differ depending on the owner or region. Educators are encouraged to call their local establishments to confirm participation and specific deal details before visiting.
Conclusion
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 offers a wide variety of freebies and discounts for educators, ranging from free burritos and donuts to retail discounts on clothing and craft supplies. The week serves as a national recognition of the work teachers do, with businesses across the country participating. To maximize these opportunities, educators should prepare to show valid school identification, check local franchise participation, and verify specific deal requirements and expiration dates. By staying informed and verifying details in advance, teachers can fully take advantage of the appreciation shown by these brands.