Several national and regional restaurant chains have established programs that reward students for strong academic performance. These offers typically require the student to present a recent report card showing good grades, often defined as a combination of A's and B's. Availability, specific rewards, and eligibility can vary significantly by location, as many of these businesses are independently owned and operated. Students and parents are advised to contact their local establishments to confirm participation before attempting to redeem an offer.
National Restaurant Programs
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme is known for its "Good Grades" program, which rewards students for each 'A' earned on their report card. According to the provided sources, a student can receive one free Original Glazed doughnut for each 'A' listed on their report card, with a maximum of six free doughnuts. This offer is available for elementary through high school students. No purchase is necessary to redeem the doughnuts. The program is available at participating locations, and customers are encouraged to verify with their local Krispy Kreme store to ensure it is included in the promotion.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A offers a free food reward for students who bring in a report card with A's and B's. The specific freebie mentioned in the sources is a free 5-pack or 8-pack of chicken nuggets. Another source mentions the possibility of a free ice cream cone. As Chick-fil-A restaurants are independently owned, participation is not guaranteed at every location. It is essential to call ahead to the specific restaurant to confirm if they are honoring this academic reward program.
Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese provides a non-food reward for academic excellence. Students who present a straight A report card can earn extra Play Points. The process involves filling out a Super Student Certificate and bringing it along with the report card to a local Chuck E. Cheese restaurant. The sources indicate that students can earn up to 15 tokens for good grades. This program is part of a broader set of rewards offered by Chuck E. Cheese for various achievements, including graduation, sports participation, and dental visits.
Applebee's
Applebee's runs the "A is for Applebee's" reward program, which offers a free kids' meal to students 12 and under. This program is not limited to academic excellence; it also rewards non-academic positive behavior. Free meal vouchers are typically distributed through teachers or libraries and can be earned for good report cards or good behavior. The sources note that there is a limited number of these rewards offered each school year. Students and parents should contact their local Applebee's to check for availability and participation.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut's Book It! program is a well-known reading incentive, but the sources also mention a separate report card reward. For each marking period, any elementary or middle school student who has three A's (or the equivalent) can receive a Personal Pan Pizza and a small soft drink or carton of milk. This offer requires the student to present the original report card to the manager, and it is valid for dine-in only at participating locations. The student must be present to redeem the reward.
Ice Cream and Dessert Establishments
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins offers a free scoop of ice cream to students who demonstrate good grades. The sources indicate that students can obtain a free scoop by presenting a report card showing good grades. In some cases, teachers may provide Baskin Robbins Honor Roll Free Scoop Certificates. Availability is subject to the policies of individual locations, so verification is recommended.
Bob Evans
Select Bob Evans locations offer a free scoop of ice cream for students who receive good grades. Bob Evans has a significant presence in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions of the United States, with nearly 500 locations. However, not all locations participate in this program. The sources recommend checking with the specific restaurant before visiting.
Cold Stone Creamery
Similar to other ice cream chains, Cold Stone Creamery may offer a free scoop of ice cream for a good report card. The availability of this reward is dependent on the policies of each independently owned store.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is listed as offering free ice cream for good report cards at participating locations. As with other offers, customers should confirm with their local DQ.
Other Food and Beverage Chains
Burger King
In past years, Burger King has offered a free hamburger or ice cream cone for good grades at select participating locations. The sources suggest that this may be a periodic or regional promotion. Customers are advised to check with their local Burger King to see if the offer is currently available.
IHOP
IHOP offers a free kids' meal for students with good report card grades. This offer is available at select participating locations.
Cheryl's Cookies
Cheryl & Co. Cookies offers a free cookie for every 'A' on a report card at participating locations. The sources mention that Cheryl's Cookies can be found in Ohio and Beverly Hills, California. The offer is limited to specific locations.
Wendy's
According to one source, Wendy's offers a reward for report cards featuring A's and B's. To claim the reward, a student must present the report card to the cashier before placing an order. The specific reward is not detailed in the provided sources.
Other Mentioned Establishments
The sources list several other restaurants that have been known to offer report card rewards, though details are sparse. These include: * Amazing Jakes * Bob Evans (already covered) * Burger King (already covered) * Cheryl & Co. Cookies (already covered) * Chick-fil-A (already covered) * Chuck E. Cheese (already covered) * Cold Stone Creamery (already covered) * Dairy Queen (already covered) * Emagine Luxury Theaters * Graeter's Ice Cream * IHOP (already covered) * Jason’s Deli (mentioned for Kid Cash and Pickle Reward Cards) * Krispy Kreme (already covered) * Long John Silver's * Marco's Pizza * Melting Pot * McDonald's (mentioned in one source) * Peter Piper Pizza (mentioned in one source)
For all of these establishments, the sources emphasize the need to call ahead to confirm participation and the specific details of the offer.
Digital and Non-Restaurant Rewards
Kudzoo App
The Kudzoo app is a digital reward platform for middle school and college students. By downloading the free app, students can build Kudzoo cash, which can be used at various venues, including restaurants and concert venues. This is an alternative to physical restaurant freebies.
General Considerations and Eligibility
Verification Requirements
Most restaurants require a printed report card or a digital copy as proof of grades. Some locations may also ask for a student ID. It is crucial to present the original report card, as photocopies or altered documents are unlikely to be accepted.
Timing of Offers
Report card rewards are typically offered around the end of each grading period or semester. However, the timing can vary by business. Some offers may only be available for a limited time each school year.
Geographic and Location Variability
A critical point emphasized throughout the sources is that participation is highly variable. Many of these restaurants are franchises or independently owned, meaning the owner decides whether to participate in such promotional programs. Therefore, an offer that is valid in one city may not be available in another, even within the same chain. The sources consistently recommend calling the specific local restaurant to confirm availability before making a trip.
Eligibility for Homeschooled or Non-Traditional School Students
The sources note that if a child is homeschooled or attends a Montessori school, parents should contact local restaurants to inquire whether they recognize academic achievements from these school settings for good grade freebies. Policies may differ from those for traditional public or private school students.
Conclusion
Numerous restaurants and businesses offer freebies as rewards for good report cards, providing a fun way to celebrate academic achievements. The most commonly mentioned rewards are free doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, free nuggets from Chick-fil-A, extra tokens from Chuck E. Cheese, and free kids' meals from Applebee's and Pizza Hut. However, due to the independent ownership of many locations, these offers are not universally available. The most important step for anyone seeking to redeem a report card reward is to call the specific local establishment to confirm participation, understand the exact requirements (such as the grade threshold and proof needed), and ensure the offer is currently active. This proactive approach will help avoid disappointment and allow students and families to properly celebrate their hard work.