National Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, scheduled for May 5 to May 9, with National Teacher Day on May 6, serves as a dedicated period for U.S. businesses to extend gratitude to educators through a variety of discounts, freebies, and special offers. According to polling data from Gallup, 73% of parents with K-12 students rated their children's teachers as excellent or good in 2023. However, a 2024 Horace Mann survey found that over 30% of teachers do not feel appreciated, despite their significant personal investment in classroom supplies—an average of $745 annually, as noted in industry tracking. In response, numerous retailers, restaurants, and service providers have structured promotions for educators, requiring verification through a valid school ID or work email. This article compiles and details these verified offers based on information from multiple deal-tracking sources and news reports.
Restaurant and Food Service Offers
A significant portion of Teacher Appreciation Week promotions are concentrated in the food and beverage sector, with national and regional chains offering free meals, discounted items, and bonus rewards.
Free Entrees and Appetizers Several national chains are providing complimentary food items. Applebee's offers a free appetizer valued up to $12 with any adult entree purchase for dine-in orders only, valid through May 10. TGI Fridays will provide a free meal from a set of fan-favorite entrees for teachers dining in at participating locations on Tuesday, May 6. Peter Piper Pizza extends a free 7-inch, 1-topping personal pizza from May 5 to May 9, available between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Arizona and Albuquerque locations with a valid school ID. For a limited time, Insomnia Cookies offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on classic cookies through May 11 for teachers and nurses who show a school ID at the register, though limited-time flavors are excluded.
Discounts and Special Purchases Multiple establishments provide percentage-based discounts. Logan’s Roadhouse offers 20% off any entrée. Original ChopShop provides 10% off dine-in and carryout orders from May 5 to May 9. Salata Salad Kitchen gives educators a 20% off their meal through May 9 with a valid ID. Taziki’s has a gift card promotion where every $50 spent on gift cards earns a $10 voucher, redeemable for dine-in through August 31 at participating locations, with the deal valid until June 15. Old Chicago offers a $10 bonus card for every $50 spent on gift cards, and through May 5, online purchases of $50 in gift cards receive two bonus cards. Additionally, teachers who join OC rewards and complete their first visit receive a free starter.
Loyalty Program Deals Some offers are tied to specific loyalty programs. Sonic’s Teachers’ Circle Rewards provides three deals for members all week through May 9: a free Sonic Snack or Side with any purchase, a BOGO Sonic Blasts deal, and a Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger for $1.99. Tim Hortons, for members of the Tims Rewards program, offers buy-one-get-one-free on doughnuts or a free half-dozen with the purchase of a dozen, valid through May 11. Taco John’s provides a free small beef crispy or soft shell taco combo on May 7, requiring a school ID. HTeaO offers half off cups of tea through May 9. McAlister’s Deli gives teachers a free big tea from May 5 to 12 in-store with a badge or ID, and also offers an entry for a catered lunch for up to 30 people via an online form.
Specific Chain Promotions Other notable food deals include a free mini sundae with M&Ms from Freddy’s (based on a 2023 offer), a free 32 oz tea from Firehouse Subs with no purchase necessary, and a buy-one-get-one-burgers deal at MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes on May 7 with ID. Mountain Mike's Pizza provides 15% off all pizzas from May 6 to 9 with the code APPRECIATE25. Whataburger requires a school ID from 5 a.m. for its offer. Shipley Do-Nuts gives a free half dozen donuts to teachers and other heroes from May 4 to 6 with no purchase necessary. la Madeleine offers a buy-one-get-one-free bakery item on May 6 via the Bonjour Rewards app, with no ID required.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond food, Teacher Appreciation Week extends to retail, automotive, and professional services, offering savings on classroom supplies, travel, and personal items.
Automotive and Travel The Parking Spot already provides a 10% discount to teachers but increases it to 25% off any reservation for travel through the end of 2025 during the month of May.
Electronics and Classroom Technology Samsung offers special savings on interactive displays and monitors during May. Discounts include $300 off the Interactive Display (65-, 75-, and 86-inch models), a $620 discount on the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 monitor, $300 off the curved 34-inch ViewFinity S65VC, and up to $360 off the 34-inch ViewFinity S65TC monitor.
Office Supplies and Rewards Office Depot provides 25% back in bonus rewards on qualifying in-store purchases during teaching events throughout the year.
Personal Services and Apparel Stitch Fix, an online styling service, gives teachers and educators 25% off their first order from May 5 to 9. To access the deal, users must sign up on the Stitch Fix site, complete a style quiz, and verify their status with ID.me. The offer is valid for 90 days after verification.
Pet Products Petlibro offers 20% off its devices, including automatic feeders and drinking fountains for cats and dogs, on May 6 using the code TEACHERSPET.
Gift Card and General Retail Promotions
Several retailers focus on gift card purchases or general discounts during the appreciation period.
Gift Card Incentives Taziki’s and Old Chicago have gift card promotions as detailed above. Panera Bread offers 20% off e-gift cards as a way to show appreciation.
General Discounts and Gifts Groupon features a selection of gifts on sale for teachers. Fruit Bouquets provides 20% off with the code FB20. Jimmy Johns offers a free sandwich to those who sign up for Freaky Fast Rewards. Taco Bell is offering a Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, or Soft Taco, though this is not exclusively for Teacher Appreciation Day.
Educational and Entertainment Offers
Some businesses provide experiences or educational resources.
Museums and Entertainment The Museum of Illusions offers free admission to its 29 locations across the U.S. for educators. During Teacher Appreciation Week, educators can register with their work email for a chance to win one of three raffles for Museum of Illusions goodie bags.
Important Considerations for Educators
When seeking these offers, educators should be prepared to present a valid school ID or other proof of employment (such as a work email). Many deals are limited to specific dates, locations, or participation levels. For example, Peter Piper Pizza's offer is only valid at Arizona and Albuquerque locations, and MOOYAH's buy-one-get-one-burgers deal is valid only at participating in-store locations. It is recommended to call ahead or check a restaurant's social media to confirm participation, as noted in the tracking sources. Some offers, like the Stitch Fix discount, require online verification through a third-party service. Additionally, while some promotions are available nationwide, others are regional or tied to specific loyalty programs. The information compiled here is based on verified deals as of the 2025 appreciation period, but offers are subject to change or expiration.
Conclusion
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 presents a wide array of verified discounts and freebies from restaurants, retailers, and service providers across the United States. From free meals and appetizers at national chains like Applebee's and TGI Fridays to significant savings on electronics from Samsung and apparel styling from Stitch Fix, the promotions are designed to acknowledge the financial and emotional investments educators make. Key offers include percentage discounts on dining, gift card bonuses, free products, and exclusive access to educational experiences. To maximize these opportunities, educators should prepare valid identification, check for location-specific restrictions, and verify participation with individual establishments. By leveraging these structured promotions, teachers can receive tangible appreciation for their dedication throughout the school year.