Comprehensive Teacher Appreciation Week Freebies and Discounts for U.S. Educators

Teacher Appreciation Week in 2025, scheduled from May 5 to May 9, serves as a designated period for brands, restaurants, and retailers to acknowledge the work of educators. During this time, a variety of free offers, discounts, and promotional giveaways become available to teachers, school staff, and sometimes students. The availability of these benefits varies significantly by brand, geographic location, and specific store or restaurant policies. Educators are typically required to present a valid school identification card or register using a school email address to qualify for most offers. This article consolidates information from multiple sources to detail the types of freebies and discounts available, the eligibility requirements, and the redemption processes for teachers across the United States.

Free Food and Treats at Restaurants

A significant portion of Teacher Appreciation Week promotions comes from the restaurant and food service industry, with many national and regional chains offering complimentary items or special discounts.

National Restaurant Chains Offering Free Items Several major restaurant chains have historically participated in Teacher Appreciation Week with offers for educators. Applebee’s has been known to offer either a free appetizer or a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée at many locations. The specific offer available can vary by restaurant, so checking with the local Applebee’s is recommended to confirm participation and details. Burger King is expected to offer free fries to educators, typically with a purchase requirement. Notifications about this offer are often sent through the Burger King app. Chick-fil-A has provided free breakfast or lunch items at many of its locations in previous years, though offers are subject to local store policies.

Dickey’s BBQ Pit offered a free Big Yellow Cup with a $10 purchase in 2024. Educators should check for similar or updated offers for the current year. Firehouse Subs provides a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal on subs through its Firehouse Rewards app, requiring teachers to download and use the app to access the perk. Freddy’s Frozen Custard offers a free mini sundae to teachers who present a valid school ID. Huddle House offered free meals to teachers in 2024, and educators are advised to confirm with their local restaurant for current year deals. Insomnia Cookies has previously given teachers with a valid ID a free classic cookie throughout the week. Jeremiah’s Italian Ice typically offers a free small Ice or Gelati on Teacher Appreciation Day, with social media channels recommended for confirming the current year’s offer.

McAlister’s Deli provides a free beverage (iced tea or lemonade) to teachers in-store. Additionally, teachers can enter online for a chance to win a catered lunch for up to 30 people. McDonald’s, at many locations, allows teachers who present their ID to receive free coffee or breakfast products. Peter Piper Pizza offers a free personal pizza in-store during specific evening hours, typically from 3 to 7 p.m. Potbelly provides a complimentary cookie or regular-sized fountain drink with the purchase of any entrée. This offer is valid during both Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week. Shake Shack offers a free milkshake to teachers with a valid school ID. Sonic offers app-exclusive freebies to teachers who are members of the Sonic Teachers’ Circle. Starbucks has provided educators with a tall brewed coffee at many locations in the past. TGI Fridays has been known to offer free entrées for teachers on Teacher Appreciation Day. Whataburger offers free breakfast items for teachers before 9 a.m. with a valid school ID. Zaxby’s offered a BOGO Boneless Wings Meal for rewards members in 2024.

Regional and Local Dining Offers Some offers are specific to certain geographic areas. In Texas, Pluckers Wing Bar provides teachers and school staff with a free appetizer with a $5 purchase every Friday, requiring a staff badge for verification. Texas de Brazil offers teachers a 10% discount on dine-in lunch and dinner prices, valid for up to four people at the table. In Houston, Texas, Kazzan Ramen & Bar offers a 20% discount on Teacher Appreciation Day with a work ID, and Verde Garden offers a 10% discount on the entire tab with a work ID. Hat Creek Burger Co., a Texas chain, offered teachers a free menu item for Teacher Appreciation Day last year, with details available on their website for the current year.

Coffee and Bakery Items Beyond full meals, several establishments offer coffee and bakery items. Bruegger’s Bagels previously offered a free medium cup of coffee with any purchase throughout the week, requiring a valid school ID. RaceTrac offered educators a free medium coffee last year, with announcements for 2025 expected soon. Shipley Do-Nuts offered a half-dozen glazed donuts free with any purchase for loyalty members in 2024. Tim Hortons, through its Tims Rewards program, allows members to redeem a free donut with the purchase of one of equal or lesser value. Alternatively, members can buy 12 donuts and get six free. Activation of the offer in the account is required prior to ordering.

Food Offers with Purchase Requirements Many food offers are contingent on making a purchase. Potbelly’s cookie or drink offer requires an entrée purchase. Burger King’s free fries offer is typically with any purchase. Dickey’s BBQ Pit’s free Big Yellow Cup required a $10 purchase in 2024. Pluckers Wing Bar’s free appetizer requires a $5 purchase. Tim Hortons’ free donut requires the purchase of another donut or the purchase of a dozen. Educators should be prepared for these purchase requirements when seeking free food items.

Free Classroom and Supply Kits

In addition to food, some retailers offer free supplies or kits to help teachers prepare their classrooms.

Staples provided free supply kits to teachers with ID in 2024. Supplies were limited and ran out fast, so arriving early was necessary. Teachers could also receive a 20% off discount on in-store purchases. While specific details for 2025 are not confirmed in the provided sources, this represents a common type of in-store teacher benefit.

Digital Freebies and Software for Educators

Several technology and software companies offer free or discounted access to educational tools for teachers. These offers typically require registration with a school email address.

Canva for Education is always free for teachers, providing access to classroom-ready design tools. Headspace offers a free annual subscription for educators who register with their school email. Loom for Education provides a free video recording platform for teachers. Microsoft Office 35 Education is free for educators and students with a school email. These digital offers are available year-round, not just during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Teacher Appreciation Giveaways and Sweepstakes

Some brands run giveaways specifically for teachers during this period. Edmentum is running a Teacher Appreciation Giveaway where three winners will receive a $500 gift card to their choice of Amazon or Target. Eligible educators can enter the giveaway, which began on April 28. Insomnia Cookies previously offered teachers the opportunity to enter a sweepstakes for a $250 cookie catering package. McAlister’s Deli also offers a chance to win a catered lunch for up to 30 people.

Year-Round Teacher Discounts and Freebies

While Teacher Appreciation Week is a concentrated period for promotions, some benefits are available throughout the year. Pluckers Wing Bar’s free appetizer offer is available every Friday, not just during the appreciation week. Texas de Brazil’s 10% discount is also a year-round offer for teachers. The digital freebies from Canva, Headspace, Loom, and Microsoft are always available to educators who meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility and Redemption Process

The most reliable offers require a valid school ID and vary significantly by location and brand. Educators are advised to check specific brand websites, apps, and local store policies to confirm current year participation and redemption details.

For most restaurant offers, teachers must present a valid school ID or staff badge at the time of purchase or order. For digital offers, registration with a school email address is typically required. For app-based offers, such as those from Firehouse Subs or Sonic, teachers need to download the brand’s app and often join a specific loyalty or rewards program for educators. For in-store offers like those from Staples, teachers should bring their school ID and be prepared for supplies to run out quickly. For giveaways, educators may need to enter through a specific online portal by a certain deadline.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 offers a wide array of freebies and discounts for educators across the United States, ranging from free meals and treats at restaurants to classroom supplies and digital software subscriptions. The availability of these offers is highly dependent on geographic location, individual store or restaurant policies, and the requirement of a valid school ID or school email for verification. While many brands participate annually, specific details and offers for the current year should be confirmed directly with the participating brands through their official websites, apps, or by contacting local stores. Educators are encouraged to take advantage of these benefits as a token of appreciation for their hard work throughout the year.