Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, scheduled for May 5 through May 9, with specific offers extending into mid-May, provides a significant opportunity for educators across the United States to access free products, discounts, and promotional offers from a wide array of brands. This annual observance, culminating on National Teacher Appreciation Day on May 6, is leveraged by national chains and local businesses to recognize the contributions of teachers. The available offers range from complimentary food and beverages to substantial discounts on apparel, electronics, and educational supplies. Many of these promotions require verification of educator status, often through digital platforms such as ID.me, while others necessitate the presentation of a valid school ID at the point of sale.
The scope of the 2025 Teacher Appreciation Week deals is extensive, covering categories including food and beverage, retail, and services. Brands such as Chipotle, Adidas, and Buffalo Wild Wings have confirmed participation with specific discounts, while others like Sonic Drive-In and Tim Hortons have structured their offers around in-app rewards or multi-buy incentives. Additionally, platforms like ID.me serve as central hubs for verifying educator status to unlock a variety of year-round and time-sensitive discounts. The following guide details the verified offers available during this period, organized by category to assist educators in maximizing their benefits.
Food and Beverage Offers
The food and beverage sector offers the most substantial volume of freebies and discounts during Teacher Appreciation Week 2025. These offers are primarily structured around specific dates, often requiring in-store redemption with a valid teacher ID.
National Restaurant Chains Chipotle has announced a significant giveaway targeting both teachers and healthcare workers. Through May 13, educators can sign up online for a chance to be among 100,000 randomly selected recipients of a free burrito. Selected individuals will receive an email prompting them to verify their employment status via ID.me. Upon successful verification within 48 hours, a free burrito e-card is issued. Chipotle notes that this initiative is part of a broader commitment that has seen $16 million in free food given to educators and medical professionals since 2016.
Sonic Drive-In offers exclusive deals specifically for members of its Sonic Teachers’ Circle rewards program. During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), members can utilize three distinct offers: a free Sonic Snack or side with any purchase, a buy-one-get-one-free deal on Sonic Blasts, and a $1.99 Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger. These deals are accessible through the Sonic app.
Tim Hortons is extending its promotion through May 11, offering discounts at participating locations while supplies last. The offers include a buy-one-get-one-free deal on doughnuts (equal or lesser value) and a buy-12-get-six-free deal on doughnuts. Whataburger is offering educators a free breakfast menu item between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. from May 5 through May 9. This offer is valid in-store, at the drive-thru, and for takeout orders but requires a valid ID and is not available through the chain’s app.
Casual Dining and Fast Food Applebees provides teachers with a free appetizer (up to $12) with the purchase of an entree when a teacher ID is presented. Burger King offers free fries with any purchase during the week. Buffalo Wild Wings offers a 20% discount for teachers, valid for both dine-in and to-go orders, requiring a valid school ID. Sonic Drive-In’s in-restaurant deals for the week include a free small shake or drink with any purchase and a 50% discount on Sonic Blasts.
Specialty Food and Beverage Brands Aroma Joe’s offers a free 24-ounce drink to teachers on May 6 with a valid ID. Atomic Wings provides a free chicken sandwich on May 6 for dine-in only. Alternatively, Atomic Wings is also reported to offer a free five-piece order of boneless wings with fries on May 6 for dine-in orders. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse runs an Awesome Achievement Program where students redeeming "Awesome Achiever" certificates receive a free Snaters Pizookie and a silicone bracelet.
La Madeleine offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on bakery items on May 6, redeemable in the Bonjour Rewards app without requiring an ID. Logan’s Roadhouse offers a 20% discount on entrees from May 5 to May 12 with a valid ID. McAlister’s Deli provides a free big tea in-store at participating locations from May 5 to May 12 with a badge or ID, and teachers can enter to win a catered lunch for up to 30 people. MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes offers a buy-one-get-one-free burger deal on May 7 at participating locations. Mountain Mike's Pizza offers 15% off all pizzas from May 6 to 9 with code APPRECIATE25.
Beverages and Snacks Smoothie King offers 20% off in-store orders from May 6 to 8 with a valid working ID.
Retail and Apparel Discounts
Retail offers for Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 are frequently tied to digital verification platforms, specifically ID.me, which allows brands to authenticate educator status instantly.
ID.me Verified Deals The ID.me platform serves as a primary verification method for numerous brands offering exclusive Teacher Appreciation Week discounts. Verified educators can access the following deals: - Adidas: 25% off full-price items and sale items. - ContactsDirect: 20% off plus free shipping. - Crocs: 15% off. - GE Appliances Store: Up to 43% off MSRP and free delivery on orders over $399. - Glasses.com: 50% off lenses plus free shipping. - Kendra Scott: 15% off. - Stanley: 30% off. - TaylorMade: 15% off.
Direct Retail Offers Adidas also offers teachers 30% off online and in-store purchases and 15% off at factory outlets, as reported by local sources. Crocs offers a 15% discount to teachers who have verified their status through ID.me.
Services, Entertainment, and Miscellaneous Offers
Beyond food and apparel, various service providers and retailers offer unique benefits.
Membership and Travel Costco offers incentives for teachers renewing an Executive Membership ($40 gift card) or opening a new Gold Star Membership ($20 gift card). Hilton and Embassy Suites by Hilton offer deals at six Florida properties (Miami, Miami Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Tampa Convention Center) using specific booking codes (PK5, P1, PL5, TEAP, TEP).
Entertainment The Museum of Illusions offers free admission to educators at its 29 U.S. locations during Teacher Appreciation Week. Educators can register with their work email to enter a raffle for goodie bags.
Educational Supplies and School Funding Box Tops for Education offers a $5 bonus for schools when teachers scan their first receipt on the Box Tops app using code TEACHER. This offer ends May 31, 2025.
Conclusion
The 2025 Teacher Appreciation Week offers a diverse array of freebies and discounts, ranging from complimentary meals at national chains to significant savings on retail purchases via ID.me verification. Educators are advised to carry valid school identification and to check specific app requirements or sign-up deadlines, such as the Chipotle burrito giveaway which extends to May 13. While many offers are standardized nationally, some are location-specific or tied to rewards programs, necessitating advance verification with local establishments.