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With Teacher Appreciation Week underway (May 4–8), many restaurants and food brands are rolling out limited-time deals and free items for educators—making this a good moment for teachers to save or score a small treat. The promotions are brief and often location-specific, so bringing a valid school ID and checking local participation are essential.
- Aldi: nominate a teacher for a chance to win a $2,026 gift card and classroom supplies.
- Chipotle: up to 200,000 entrée e-gift cards available through online entry.
- Coffee shops (Caribou, Peet’s, First Watch): free brewed coffee or cold drinks on select days.
- Pizza and fast-casual chains (MOD, Mountain Mike’s, Papa Johns): BOGO offers, percentage discounts and limited special pizzas.
- Numerous local and national restaurants: discounts, free desserts or small entrées when educators show ID.
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Crowdsourced gifts and big giveaways
Aldi is running a national nomination program at ALDIHonorRoll.com where winners may receive a sizable gift card, classroom snacks and supplies. Chipotle is also offering a large-scale giveaway, distributing hundreds of thousands of entrée e‑gift cards as part of its Teacher Appreciation and National Nurses Week promotions; entries are accepted online through May 12.
Coffee shops and quick bites
Several chains have singled out coffee lovers. On May 6, Caribou Coffee will serve a free large coffee of the day or cold press to teachers who present ID. Peet’s Coffee plans a similar one-day offer on May 5, and First Watch is offering complimentary hot or iced coffee through May 8.
Einstein Bros. Bagels will give educators a free bagel and schmear with any purchase on May 6, while Insomnia Cookies is running a BOGO cookie deal for teacher members from May 5–12 (in-store with ID).
Pizza, sandwiches and fast-casual chains
MOD Pizza is featuring a buy-one, get-one-free pizza offer through May 7 for teachers who show ID in-store. Mountain Mike’s is offering 15% off pizzas on May 6–7 with code CARE15OFF, and Papa Johns has a $11.99 heart-shaped pizza available at participating locations through May 12.
Potbelly will provide a free cookie or a regular fountain drink with the purchase of any entrée through May 12, and Krystal is discounting breakfast combos by 50% through May 8 for verified educators.
Full-service restaurants and desserts
Chains with sit-down service are pitching in, too. Eddie Merlot’s will add a complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entrée through May 8 (ID required). Sullivan’s Steakhouse offers a similar dessert promotion for teachers who buy an entrée and present proof of employment.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit plans to hand out a free scoop of Ms. Ollie’s Strawberry Ice Cream at participating stores through May 8, and The Greene Turtle will provide a free meal up to $15 on May 6 for teachers dining in.
Catering, codes and app deals
If you’re planning an event, several brands have catering incentives. Noodles & Company is offering 10% off catering orders over $150 through May 5 with code APPRECIATION2026; Ruby Tuesday is providing 20% off phone or online catering of $150+ through May 9 (code SCHOOLDEAL). Stonefire Grill has a 10% school catering discount with code APPRECIATE10 for events through May 15.
Other app- or code-based offers include:
- Pancheros: app discount cards for $2 off an entrée through May 10.
- Insomnia Cookies: 20% off 50–200 cookie pack online orders with code EARNEDIT26 for rewards members.
- Paisano’s: 25% off orders May 5–8 with code TEACH25.
Selected regional or limited-time promos
Some offers are windowed or limited to specific days: Aroma Joe’s gives a free 24‑ounce iced drink on May 5; Starbird has a free entrée (up to $15) on May 5 when teachers dine in (excluding stadium and airport locations); and Whataburger will serve a free breakfast item on May 7 from 5–9 a.m. local time at participating restaurants.
Other participating names and what they’re doing include Hash Kitchen (20% off dining or takeout through May 12), Dog Haus (20% off at select locations through May 8), Capriotti’s (20% off in-store orders through May 12) and Shake Shack (free Single ShackBurger or Veggie Shack with any purchase in-shop through May 12 when teachers show ID).
Important notes for educators
Most promotions require a valid teacher or school ID and may be restricted to in-store dining, drive-thru or app redemption. Availability often varies by franchise and city—some restaurants list participating locations online, others do not—so it’s a good idea to call ahead.
Offers can be one-time use, exclude other discounts, or end earlier at individual locations. If you want multiple promotions, consider signing up for restaurant rewards programs or apps in advance; many chains run extra, members-only deals during appreciation weeks.
For the latest details and any last-minute changes, check the official websites or social channels of the restaurants you plan to visit. These promotions provide a small, immediate way communities are saying thank you—but the specifics change fast, so confirm before you go.
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Teacher appreciation week deals: dozens of restaurants offering free or discounted meals
