14 Restaurant Freebies and Deals for the Teachers in Your Life
Teacher Appreciation Week falls on May 5 through 9 this year, with National Teachers’ Day on May 6.
Goodboy Picture Company/Getty Images
Let’s hear it for our teachers, the people who show up every day to kindly and patiently educate our kids. They deserve our gratitude every single day, but each year, one particular day is set aside to pay tribute to them: National Teachers’ Day (a.k.a. National Teacher Appreciation Day), created by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1953, is now celebrated on the first Tuesday of the first full week of May. This year, that’s Tuesday, May 6. In fact, that whole week has, since 1980, been designated as Teacher Appreciation Week.
Many restaurants are offering deals and freebies to mark Teacher Appreciation Week 2025. (Some are also extending deals and freebies to nurses for the concurrent National Nurses Week.) Here are a few you or the teachers in your life will want to learn about:
Ranya Russo/Photo courtesy of Burger King
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant: This Texas-based Mexican restaurant chain, which has 19 full-service restaurants across seven states, is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day by offering teachers and school staff a 20 percent discount on their checks at all locations on May 6. To receive the discount, which is valid for dine-in orders only, educators must show a valid teaching or school staff ID.
Burger King: On May 6, Burger King is thanking “everyday, unsung heroes, teachers” by offering them a free Whopper Jr. with a purchase of $1 or more.
Chipotle: Because National Nurses Week (May 6 through 12) coincides with Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5 through 9), Chipotle is inviting both educators and healthcare workers to sign up for a chance to get free burritos. Teachers can enter for a chance to win a free entrée e-card from April 30 through May 12 at teacherthanks.chipotle.com, and healthcare professionals can enter within the same timeframe at healthcarethanks.chipotle.com. At the end of the entry period, 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers will be randomly selected to verify their employment status via ID.me. Those notified via email who successfully verify their employment status within 48 hours will receive a free entrée e-card. Winners will be notified the week of May 13.
Eddie Merlot’s: From May 5 through 9, Eddie Merlot’s is offering all teachers a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée.
Jessica Grenier Photography/Photo courtesy of Einstein Bros. Bagels
Einstein Bros. Bagels: The bagel chain is marking not only Teacher Appreciation Week but also National Nurses Week, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation season by offering 20 percent off all gift card purchases. The offer, which it says is “the perfect way to honor the everyday heroes … who make a lasting impact on our lives” is available exclusively online through June 24.
The Greene Turtle: The Greene Turtle is celebrating nurses and teachers on May 6 with a free meal — up to $15 for dine-in only. To redeem the offer, bring a valid nurse or teacher ID.
Happy Joe’s: From May 5 through 9, Happy Joe’s is thanking teachers who show a valid school ID with 20 percent off their order at participating locations.
Logan’s Roadhouse: For Teacher Appreciation Week, from May 5 through 12, Logan’s Roadhouse is offering teachers with a valid ID 20 percent off an entrée.
McAlister’s Deli: From May 5 through 12, teachers and nurses can get a free big tea at participating McAlister’s Deli locations by showing their badge or ID. No purchase is necessary. The offer is valid in-store only.
Photo courtesy of Mountain Mike's Pizza
Mountain Mike’s Pizza: The family-style pizza chain is celebrating some of its “biggest heroes” by offering teachers and nurses 15 percent off any pizza with code APPRECIATE25 from May 6 to 9, when Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week overlap.
Original ChopShop: Teachers with a valid badge or ID will get 10 percent off their dine-in and to-go orders at Original ChopShop from May 5 through 9.
Sonic Drive-In: Sonic is thanking educators with three exclusive offers for members of the Sonic Teachers’ Circle rewards program, which is free to join through the Sonic App. From May 5 through 9, Teachers’ Circle members can get a free Sonic Snack or Side with Purchase, a Buy One Sonic Blast, Get One Free deal or a $1.99 Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger. The Sonic Teachers’ Circle is a free rewards program for teachers, faculty or staff at a K-12 school or a degree-granting university. To take advantage of the Teacher Appreciation Week offers, educators must sign up before May 5.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse: From May 5 through 9, teachers can receive a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée at Sullivan’s Steakhouse.
Whataburger: During Teacher Appreciation Week, on Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9, between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m, Whataburger is offering educators with a valid teacher ID their choice of a free breakfast menu item. Options include a Taquito with cheese, Breakfast on a Bun or a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit. The offer is available only on orders placed in restaurant (dine-in, drive-thru and take out) — not via the Whataburger App. Also, in celebration of the chain’s 75th anniversary, Whataburger will surprise 75 teachers who are nominated by their communities with $1,000 checks for their schools, totaling $75,000 in funding.
50 Classic Cookie Recipes Everyone Should Know 51 Photos
Whether you need to whip up something special for the local bake sale or simply want to make your family a sweet treat, these beloved recipes are guaranteed to please.
Related Content:
