Graduation season represents a significant milestone for students across the United States, marking the transition from academic life to new professional and personal beginnings. As the Class of 2025 prepares to celebrate their achievements, numerous brands and retailers have announced special promotions, freebies, and exclusive deals designed to honor graduates. These offers range from complimentary food and beverages to substantial discounts on vehicles, software, and gift cards. Understanding the details of these promotions—including eligibility requirements, redemption methods, and time-sensitive deadlines—is essential for graduates looking to maximize their celebrations while managing their budgets. The availability of graduation freebies typically spans various categories, including food and beverage, retail, automotive, and digital services. Many of these offers require specific proof of graduation status, such as wearing a cap and gown, presenting a student ID, or providing a diploma. Others are available to anyone celebrating a graduate, offering bonus gift cards or catering packages for graduation parties.
Food and Beverage Freebies
Restaurants and food retailers are among the most active participants in graduation celebrations, offering a variety of free items and discounts to reward recent graduates.
Krispy Kreme has a long-standing tradition of celebrating academic milestones. For the Class of 2025, the brand is offering a free Original Glazed 3-pack on "Grad Day," which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28. To qualify, high school and college graduates must visit a Krispy Kreme location wearing their cap and gown or other 2025 graduation swag. In addition to the free 3-pack, graduates will have the chance to win free Original Glazed dozens for a year. This promotion is specifically noted for the Class of 2025 and requires in-store redemption with the appropriate attire.
Insomnia Cookies is celebrating graduates (high school, college, or grad school) with BOGO free Classic cookies. This offer is available if graduates wear their cap and gown when visiting their local Insomnia Cookies.
Buca di Beppo offers a free cannoli for every graduate in a party when booking a graduation celebration. The offer is valid for dine-in only, and one source mentions that the free cannoli is provided "with service," implying that booking a reservation or meal is required to receive the complimentary dessert.
Magnolia Bakery provides a free Classic Cupcake with your cap & gown or 2025 diploma until June 30.
Xing Fu Tang allows graduates to swing by any of their NYC locations in their cap and gown and enjoy a free drink of their choice.
Perkins rewards graduates who visit their locations in 2025 graduation gear (cap or gown) with a free Mammoth Muffin. This offer is available from now until June 25. Additionally, Perkins is running a contest where graduates can win a $100 gift card by sharing a photo of themselves in their cap at Perkins and tagging the restaurant on social media.
TGI Fridays offers graduates a free appetizer or dessert when they order an entree through June 30. This promotion allows graduates to add a complimentary item to their meal as a celebratory treat.
Bertucci’s has introduced a graduation package designed to feed between 10 and 20 people. When customers spend $100 or more, the package includes a tray of mini chocolate chip cannoli. To redeem this offer, customers must use the code GRAD2025. This promotion is geared towards larger graduation gatherings rather than individual freebies.
Bonefish Grill is promoting a gift card bonus rather than a direct food freebie. Customers who purchase a $50 gift card between June 23 and August 24 will receive a $10 bonus card.
Retail and Service Offers
Beyond food, several retailers and service providers offer free memberships, software trials, and print services to assist graduates with their next steps.
The Drama League (TDF) is offering a free membership for 2025 high school graduates from NYC public or charter schools.
Amazon offers Prime-exclusive deals, free delivery, and more with a free 6-month trial of Amazon Prime Student, which costs $7.49 after the trial period.
Canva allows graduates to customize and print graduation announcement templates by signing up for a free account.
Automotive Offers
Several automotive brands have graduate purchase programs designed to help recent graduates acquire a new vehicle.
Acura is offering a 2025 graduate offer of $500 in savings.
Audi has a College Graduate Program that allows eligible recent graduates to lease or finance a new Audi without a credit history or co-signer.
Toyota is offering a $500 rebate on all new, unlicensed Toyota models when financed or leased through a Toyota dealer and Toyota Financial Services. To qualify for the Toyota rebate, graduates must present 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.
Gift Card Promotions
Several restaurants offer bonus gift cards as graduation gifts or for personal use, providing extra value for celebrations.
Applebee’s offers a free $10 bonus card with the online or in-store purchase of $50 in Applebee’s gift cards through June 29. The bonus cards are valid the day after purchase through August 3, 2025.
Auntie Annie’s provides a $5 bonus reward for every $25 spent on Auntie Annie’s gift cards through June 15. The bonus cards can be used through July 15 (limit 1 per customer, per transaction). A rewards account (free to join) is needed for bonus card redemption.
Benihana is running two gift card promotions through June 15, offering up to $60 in bonuses.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
Most graduation freebies and deals come with specific eligibility criteria. Understanding these requirements is crucial to successfully redeeming offers.
Proof of Graduation Many offers require physical proof of graduation status. The most common requirement is wearing a cap and gown when visiting the establishment. This applies to offers from Krispy Kreme, Insomnia Cookies, Perkins, Edge, Vessel, Top of the Rock, Magnolia Bakery, and Xing Fu Tang. Some offers allow for alternative proof, such as a 2025 diploma or student ID.
Geographic and Time Restrictions Some offers are location-specific. For example, Xing Fu Tang's free drink is available at their NYC locations. Edge & Vessel and Top of the Rock offer free admission in New York City. Many promotions have strict deadlines, such as Krispy Kreme's Grad Day on May 28, Perkins' offer ending June 25, and various gift card promotions ending in mid-June.
Purchase Requirements Certain deals require a purchase to unlock the bonus. Bertucci's requires a minimum spend of $100 to get the graduation package with cannoli. Applebee’s, Auntie Annie’s, and Benihana's gift card bonuses require the purchase of gift cards. Buca di Beppo's free cannoli is tied to a dine-in service.
Contests and Social Media Engagement Perkins' $100 gift card contest requires sharing a photo on social media, adding an additional step for potential reward.
Conclusion
The Class of 2025 has access to a diverse array of freebies and deals to celebrate their graduation. From immediate gratification with free food items like Krispy Kreme's 3-pack and Perkins' Mammoth Muffin to practical benefits like Amazon Prime Student trials and automotive rebates, the options cater to various interests and needs. The key to accessing these offers lies in careful attention to eligibility requirements, most notably the need to present a cap and gown or diploma, and to act within the specified timeframes. Graduates should verify details directly with the participating brands, as offers may vary by location and are subject to change. By planning ahead and utilizing these verified promotions, the Class of 2025 can enjoy meaningful celebrations without straining their finances.