National Teacher Appreciation Week gives teachers and school staff a wave of food freebies, discounts, and other limited-time offers from restaurants and brands across the country. The week runs from Monday, May 4, to Friday, May 8, and many promotions rely on a valid school or work ID.
The timing matters for educators who are feeling financial pressure. A Gallup survey of more than 2,000 U.S. teachers, conducted Oct. 16-Nov. 5, 2025 and released in March 2026, found that 21% said they were finding it difficult to get by on their teacher salary.
Many of those who struggle also take on extra work. Gallup said nearly half of financially strained teachers, 46%, have a second job unrelated to education, and 85% of teachers with a second job do that work at least partly during the school year.
Food giveaways and breakfast deals lead the week
Several chains are focusing on meals and drinks, with offers that can be redeemed in store or through loyalty programs. Some of the most notable deals are built around simple items such as coffee, breakfast, cookies, and sandwiches.
Chipotle Mexican Grill is giving teachers and educators a chance to win one of 100,000 free meals through its Teacher Appreciation Week giveaway. Teachers can enter on Chipotle’s Teacher Thanks website through May 12, and selected winners will later need to verify employment through ID.me within 48 hours.
Whataburger is serving free breakfast nationwide to teachers and school staff on Thursday, May 7, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. local time. The offer applies to dine-in, takeout, and drive-thru orders, but the eligible recipient must be present, and timing can vary by location.
First Watch is offering teachers free coffee all day through May 8, including hot and iced coffee. Dine-in guests also get complimentary refills on hot coffee, while Peet’s Coffee has a one-day giveaway on Tuesday, May 5, with a free small drip coffee, cold brew, hot tea pouch, or iced tea pouch.
McAlister’s Deli is adding one free Sweet or Unsweet Tea from May 4-8 with no purchase required. That makes it one of the few promotions in the roundup that does not ask teachers to buy another item first.
Discounts stretch across burgers, pizza, wings, and sandwiches
Other chains are leaning on percentage-off offers and bundled savings. These deals are spread across the week and often ask for a valid educator ID or a loyalty account.
Buffalo Wild Wings is giving teachers and school staff 20% off dine-in orders from May 4-10 with valid school ID. Dog Haus is also offering 20% off meals during National Teacher Appreciation Week, while Via 313 is giving teachers 15% off orders from May 4-8.
Pizza deals show up in several places. Grimaldi’s is giving teachers 15% off orders from May 4-8, Mod Pizza has a buy-one-get-one-free deal for MOD-sized pizzas or salads from May 4-7, and Mountain Mike’s Pizza is offering 15% off all pizzas on Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7, with code CARE15OFF.
Some restaurant chains are tying the promotion to a specific day. Starbird is giving educators a free entrée valued up to $15 on Tuesday, May 5, while TGI Fridays is offering a free meal from a select menu on May 6 between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Teachers can also get a free meal valued up to $15 at The Greene Turtle on Wednesday, May 6, with valid ID.
Breakfast and snack deals also appear in the lineup. Krystal is giving teachers 50% off all breakfast combos from May 4-8, Einstein Bros. Bagels has a free Bagel & Shmear with the purchase of any item on Wednesday, May 6, and Insomnia Cookies is running a buy-one-get-one-free cookie deal for rewards members from May 5 through May 12.
Desserts, catering, and gift-card offers add extra options
Some brands are framing the promotions as classroom support or appreciation gifts instead of straight restaurant discounts. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse is offering teachers a way to give students 90 Achievement certificates per school year, each redeemable for a free full-size Pizookie dessert with no purchase necessary.
Eddie Merlot’s and Sullivan’s Steakhouse are both giving teachers a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée during the week. Happy Joe’s is offering a free small order of Cheese Stix with the purchase of a large pizza on Wednesday, May 6.
For schools and groups planning meals, several brands are extending catering offers. Jason’s Deli has warm breakfast sandwich bundles priced at $40 for 12 people and catering packages starting at $6.59 per person. Noodles & Company is offering 10% off catering orders of $150 or more through Tuesday, May 5, and Potbelly has 10% off catering orders above $200 through Sunday, May 10 with code SAVE10.
Gift-card promotions are also part of the week. Red Robin is offering a $10 gift card with the purchase of a $50 gift card through May 7, and Logan’s Roadhouse has a deal that lets buyers get $50 in gift cards for $40 through May 8. Horace Mann Educators Corp. is running its own recognition programs through May 22, with more than $17,000 in giveaways, daily $150 gift cards, weekly $500 gift cards, and a chance for educators to receive $1,000 for a project of their choice.
Retail and online offers round out the list
Teacher Appreciation Week is not limited to food. Some companies are using the occasion to offer retail discounts and travel savings for educators looking beyond restaurants.
FlutterHabit is giving teachers 30% off orders, excluding bundles and kits, through ID.me. The Parking Spot is offering teachers 10% off every day and 25% off any reservation made in May for travel through the end of 2026.
For restaurant workers, school staff, and educators who prefer quick redemption, many of the offers rely on simple proof of employment. Some require only a school ID, while others ask for online verification or membership in a rewards program.
National Teachers Day falls on Tuesday, May 5, and the National Education Association says the observance began after then-first lady Eleanor Roosevelt lobbied Congress in 1953. The NEA later established National Teacher Appreciation Week in 1985, giving businesses and communities a set time to recognize educators with meals, discounts, and small thank-you gestures.
