2026 Teacher Appreciation Week Freebies, Deals & More

Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week 2026!

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week 2026! We’ve compiled the best Teacher Deals and Freebies to honor our educators. Teacher Appreciation Week in the US usually falls during the first full week of May. In 2026, it runs from May 4th to May 8th.

Food Freebies & Deals 2026 –

• Applebee’s – From May 4 – 8, Applebee’s locations owned and operated by T.I. Cannon Companiesare offering teachers with a valid ID in Upstate New York, Connecticut and Sayre, Pennsylvania a free Triple Chocolate Meltdown, Cinnabon Mini Swirls, Sizzlin’ Butter Pecan Blondie, Caramel Apple Pie, or Brownie Bite. Offer valid May 4 – 8. Plus, you’ll receive a BOGO free entree voucher that you can redeem from May 11 – June 7.
• Aroma Joe’s – Free 24 oz. any iced drink (in-store) on May 5th
• Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar – Teachers can grab a $4 Bad Ass Margarita on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Additionally, enjoy Happy Hour specials featuring $4 drinks and $6 food from 3 – 6 p.m., May 4 – 8.
• Capriotti’s – Teachers get 20% off in-store orders from May 4 – 12 when presenting a valid ID (excludes catering).
• Chick-fil-A – Participating Chick-fil-A restaurants are offering teachers a freebie, like a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, waffle fries, or a drink. Note these deals may require you to order using a specific method: online, in-app, or in-store.
• Chicken Salad Chick – In honor of Teacher and Nurse Appreciation Week, participating locations will be offering a FREE Scoop of any flavor with the purchase of an entrée with a side. This offer will be valid on May 5 for teachers, and May 6 for nurses. Be sure to check your local Chick’s social pages for details! Other promos select locations will be offering for Teacher and Nurse week include:
  • 15% off purchase (must purchase an entree/excludes catering)
  • $6.50 box lunches (catering)
  • Buy 1 Scoop, Get 1 Side
  • $7.50 Meal OR $8.50 box lunches (catering).
• Chipotle – As a thank you, Chipotle is giving 100,000 teachers a free burrito e-card! 100,000 healthcare workers will be chosen as well. Enter to win by 5/12!
• Dairy Queen – Now until 5/8/26, Teachers and Nurses who show their educator or healthcare professional ID will get a FREE Small Blizzard Treat! Get yours now at your local Fourteen Foods Dairy Queen.
• Dickey’s BBQ Pit – From May 4 through May 8 at participating restaurants nationwide, Dickey’s is giving educators and nurses a free scoop of their signature Ms. Ollie’s Strawberry Ice Cream with valid ID.
• Dog Haus – Educators can save 20% on dine-in orders from May 4 – 8 by showing a valid ID.
• Eddie Merlot’s – Teachers receive a free dessert with the purchase of an entree, May 4 – 8, with a valid school ID.
• Einstein Bros. Bagels – On Wednesday, May 6, educators and nurses can visit any participating Einstein Bros. Bagels location, show a valid work ID and receive one free Bagel & Shmear of their choice with the purchase of any item. The offer is only available for in-bakery orders placed on May 6.
• Freebirds World Burrito
  •  From May 4 – 12, teachers with valid ID get a BOGO deal on any size Freebirds World Burrito entrees. Offer valid in-store only.
  • Save 15% on Freebirds World Burrito catering orders when you use the promo code APPRECI8 during checkout online or in-app. Offer valid May 4 – 12.
• Grimaldi’s – From Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8, Grimaldi’s is offering 15% off all orders for nurses and teachers nationwide. Simply present a valid school or workplace I.D. to enjoy the discount at any location.
• Happy Joe’s Pizza – Offering teachers a free small Cheese Stix with the purchase of a large pizza. Plus, they’re offering free delivery to schools. You’ll need to call your local Happy Joe’s by May 4 to schedule your delivery on National Teacher Appreciation Day, May 5.
• Hash Kitchen – Teachers with a valid ID can enjoy 20% off, valid on dine-in and takeout from May 4 – 12.
• HTeaO – Offering teachers half off cups of tea, valid during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4 – 8).
• Insomnia Cookies – To celebrate, the late-night bakery is offering nurses, teachers, and school staff that are Insomnia Rewards Members a buy 1 Classic or Deluxe cookie, get 1 free deal starting May 5 through May 12 with valid ID (in-stores only). Additionally, Insomnia Rewards Members can show their appreciation with 20% off online/in-app orders of 50-200 cookie packs with code: EARNEDIT26.
• Krystal – In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, educators get 50% off all breakfast combos with valid ID, May 4 – 8.
• Logan’s Roadhouse – Purchase a $50 gift card for only $40 when ordering online from May 1 – 8.
• McAlister’s Deli – McAlister’s Deli is honoring two of the community’s most essential everyday heroes this spring by offering teachers and nurses a complimentary tea* during Teacher Appreciation Week 2026 and Nurse Appreciation Week 2026 at participating locations nationwide. No purchase necessary. Valid for educators and nurses from 5/4 – 5/8/26.
• McDonald’s – Check your location for an offer.
• MOD Pizza – BOGO pizza or salad! Just show your badge at the register when you order in restaurant, now from 05/04 – 05/07!
• Noodles & Co. – Save 10% on Noodles & Co. catering orders of $150 or more when you enter promo code APPRECIATION2026 at checkout online or in-app. Offer valid through May 5.
• Nothing Bundt Cakes – Rewards members can earn 100, 200, or 300 bonus points with the purchase of a Single, Double, or Triple Bundtlet Tower, May 4 – 8. Must log in to the rewards account; limit one transaction.
• Original ChopShop – During Teacher’s Appreciation Week (May 4 – 8), teachers will get 10% off meals when you show valid ID in-shop only) at Original ChopShop.
• Potbelly
  • Offering teachers and nurses a complimentary cookie or regular-sized fountain drink with the purchase of any entrée from Monday, May 4, through Tuesday, May 12. Eligible entrées include any original or big-sized sandwich, wrap, whole salad or bowl of soup. The offer is available in-shop only, with guests simply showing a valid school or healthcare employee ID at checkout to redeem. Each entrée purchased qualifies for one free cookie or drink, and multiple offers may be redeemed within the same transaction, making it easy for teams to stop in and enjoy a well-earned break together.
  • Potbelly is also making it easier for entire nursing teams, school faculty and any group to celebrate together. Now through Sunday, May 10, Potbelly fans can receive 10% off catering orders over $200 by using the code SAVE10 at checkout, perfect for schools, hospitals and organizations looking to recognize their staff with a shared meal.
• Raising Cane’s – During the Teachers Appreciation Promotion at the Raising Cane’s Restaurant locations listed through the link, present a Teacher Appreciation Free Drink Card to redeem offer. Card valid for One Free 22 oz. a la carte tea or soft drink. Valid 5/1/26 – 5/31/26. Valid for dine-in or drive-thru only. One free drink per person per day.
• Ruby Tuesday – Tuesday 5/5 – Wednesday 5/6: Get a FREE Add-on Garden Bar with any entrée purchase. Show valid I.D. and use code THANKYOU26. Dine-in only.
• Shake Shack – Teachers can score a free ShackBurger or Veggie Shack (up to $8.29) with $10 min. from May 4 to May 12, 2026. To claim the deal, you must order in-person at a participating Shake Shack and show a valid work ID. The offer requires the purchase of at least one other menu item and is not valid for app, online, drive-thru, or delivery orders. It excludes locations like airports and stadiums, and any premium add-ons will cost extra.
• Starbirds – Teachers and educators are invited to visit their local Starbird on May 5th to enjoy a complimentary entrée, valued up to $15, as a thank-you for their ongoing impact in the classroom. Eligible entrée options include a sandwich, tenders, or salad. The offer is valid for one redemption per person and available exclusively for educators who present a valid ID. It can be redeemed at all Starbird locations, including those in Colorado, with the exception of stadium and airport restaurants.
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse – Educators receive a free dessert with an entree purchase, May 4 – 8, upon showing a valid work ID.
• Subway – Guests can buy a $25 Subway gift card for a teacher or healthcare hero and get a free 6″ sub for themselves through 6/30.
• The Green Turtle – Teachers get a FREE meal (up to $15) when dining in and showing a valid work ID on Teacher Appreciation Day, May 6, 2026.
• Verena Street Coffee – Thanking teachers with a sitewide 20% discount on all coffees. You’ll need to verify your eligibility with GovX.
• Via 313 – Teachers with valid ID can enjoy a 15% discount from May 4 – 8.
• Whataburger – Teachers and school employees can receive a free breakfast entree, such as a Breakfast on a Bun or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, on May 7 from 5 – 9 a.m. (limit one per person; valid for dine-in, takeout, and drive-thru).
• ZIPS – This May, ZIPS Car Wash is celebrating the everyday heroes who keep communities running strong. Throughout the month, the company is offering a special weekday offer for teachers, nurses, military personnel, and first responders across the country. Every weekday in May, eligible local heroes can receive 25% off a Premier Car Wash by using the code HERO with your Employer/Military ID at any ZIPS Car Wash. Similar offers are available with wash code HERO at Jet Brite Car Wash and Rocket Express Car Wash, which all operate under ZIPS Car Wash.

Sweepstakes & Giveaways 2026

• BIC – Bring JOY BIC to School! BIC is Donating Writing Instruments and Giving Back!
• Bubbl’r Teacher Appreciation Giveaway
• Catalina Crunch Teacher Appreciation Giveaway
• Lakeshore Leaning Teacher Appreciation Giveaway
• Learning Resources – Teacher Appreciation Giveaway
• Nature Nate’s – Teacher Appreciation Giveaway
• Owala’s Teacher Bundle Giveaway
• Taco Cat Games Teachers Giveaway
• Ticonderoga Teachers Contest

CHECK OUT TEACHER DISCOUNTS HERE

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