2025 Teacher Appreciation Week: Verified Restaurant Deals, Retail Discounts, and Educator Freebies

Teacher Appreciation Week in 2025, officially recognized from May 5 through May 9, offers a variety of discounts and freebies for educators across the United States. National Teacher Appreciation Day falls on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The celebration, designated by the National Parent Teacher Association in 1984, honors educators for their contributions. Various businesses, including major restaurant chains and retailers, participate by offering special promotions during this period.

Educators seeking these offers typically need to provide verification of their status. Many national deals require enrollment in third-party verification services such as ID.me, while others mandate the presentation of a valid school ID at the point of sale. Participation and offer details can vary by location, particularly for franchise-owned restaurants.

Restaurant and Food Deals

Several national restaurant chains are offering discounts and free items during Teacher Appreciation Week 2025.

Buffalo Wild Wings Buffalo Wild Wings offers a 20% discount on orders during Teacher Appreciation Week. This offer generally requires teachers to show a valid school ID. Some sources indicate the discount is valid through May 11, 2025. This deal is valid for dine-in orders.

Chipotle Chipotle is running a sweepstakes for Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers and healthcare workers can sign up online for a chance to win a free burrito. Chipotle plans to randomly select 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers. Selected winners must verify their employment via ID.me within 48 hours to receive a free burrito e-card.

Chick-fil-A Chick-fil-A is offering a 20% discount off the entire check on May 6, 2025. A valid school ID is required to redeem this offer.

McDonald’s McDonald’s is offering a free 5-piece order of boneless wings with fries on May 6, 2025. This offer is valid for dine-in only.

Logan’s Roadhouse Logan’s Roadhouse offers a 20% discount off an entrée for teachers who show a valid ID between May 5 and May 12, 2025.

Smoothie King Smoothie King offers a discounted rate for educators during the appreciation week.

Burger King Burger King is participating in Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, though specific offer details (such as a percentage discount or free item) were not detailed in the provided source data.

Applebee’s Applebee’s is listed as a participating restaurant for Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, though specific offer details were not provided in the source data.

Other Food Offers * Charlotte Checkers: Teachers can get free tickets to the Charlotte Checkers’ playoff game on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, while supplies last. * Baskin-Robbins: While specific 2025 details were not provided in the source data, Baskin-Robbins is historically mentioned alongside other chains like Cold Stone Creamery for teacher appreciation promotions.

Retail and Technology Discounts

Beyond food, several retailers offer exclusive discounts for educators, often accessible through verification platforms.

ID.me Platform Offers Teachers who verify their status through ID.me can access specific limited-time deals during Teacher Appreciation Week 2025. Participating brands include: * Adidas: 25% off full-price items and sales 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.

Samsung Samsung provides special discounts for teachers. Specific percentage-off details for 2025 were not listed in the source data, but the brand is identified as a participant in the week's celebrations.

Stitch Fix Stitch Fix offers special discounts for teachers. Specific details regarding the discount amount or redemption process were not provided in the source data.

Apple Apple offers education pricing on new Macs and iPads for college students, parents, faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels. This discount is available year-round, typically around 10%. While not exclusive to the May appreciation week, it is a relevant ongoing offer for educators.

Staples Staples is noted as a retailer offering deals and giveaways to teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week 2025. Specific offer details were not provided in the source data.

Eligibility and Verification Requirements

Accessing these deals generally requires proof of educator status. The requirements vary by vendor:

School ID: Many restaurant offers, such as those from Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-fil-A, and Logan's Roadhouse, require the presentation of a valid school ID at the time of purchase.
ID.me Verification: Digital discounts for brands like Adidas, Stanley, and the Chipotle sweepstakes require teachers to sign up for a free account on ID.me and verify their employment status.
Online Sign-up: Some offers, such as the Chipotle burrito sweepstakes, require teachers to sign up online within specific windows to be entered into the drawing.

Historical Context and Recognition

Teacher Appreciation Week has a history dating back to the early 1940s, initiated by Arkansas teacher Mattye Whyte Woodridge. The idea gained traction when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt urged Congress to create a National Teacher Day in 1953. The National Education Association (NEA) lobbied for consistent recognition in the 1980s, and in 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) expanded the observance to a full week in the first week of May.

The National Education Association emphasizes that the week is a time to transform appreciation into action, protecting students and strengthening public schools.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, running from May 5 to May 9, provides educators with opportunities for savings at restaurants and retailers. The offers range from free food at chains like McDonald's and Buffalo Wild Wings to significant discounts on technology and apparel through platforms like ID.me. Educators are advised to check with local franchise locations for participation and to have valid school identification or online verification ready to redeem these offers.