It’s National Teacher Appreciation Day all week from Monday, May 5, 2025, through Friday, May 9, 2025, and that means discounts and deals.
The freebies include the chance to get a free Chipotle burrito, although there’s a catch. The giveaway is capped at 100,000 teachers.
Other free items for all teachers include a breakfast entree from Whataburger, a milkshake from Shake Shack, a Krispy Kreme donut, and a free appetizer from Applebee’s.
Chipotle is “awarding 200,000 professionals with free burrito e-cards, equivalent to over $2 million in free food,” the chain wrote in a press release on April 30. After Teacher Appreciation Week, the chain will offer the same deal to nurses from May 6 through May 12.
Teachers can enter their information on the Chipotle website for a chance to get one of the 100,000 free burritos. There is a second web page for healthcare workers.
“Teachers and healthcare professionals are such important members of the communities we serve,” said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer of Chipotle, in the release. “To express our gratitude, we’re scaling up our recognition efforts and launching our largest free burrito giveback program in history.”
It’s not only burritos. USA Today has a lengthy list of discounts and deals available to teachers during the week. Teachers of Tomorrow also has a lengthy list of deals.
Among the top deals for National Teacher Appreciation Week:
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Smoothie King: “There will be a two-day celebration exclusively available on Smoothie King’s Healthy Rewards App. From May 6th to May 7th, use promo code “THANKS2024” to enjoy $2 off your order,” according to the chain.
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McDonald’s: On National Teacher Appreciation Day, Tuesday, May 6, “teachers will have the option to select one Any Size Soft Drink or Sweet Tea, Hot or Iced Drip Coffee with a valid educator I.D at a participating McDonald’s restaurant,” the website says. The website contains a list of participating restaurants. They are only in a few states, and the deal is most prevalent in Missouri.
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Krispy Kreme: According to KTLA, “On Tuesday, May 6, Krispy Kreme is offering teachers a free Original Glazed doughnut in stores.”
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Whataburger: “Teachers can swing by from 5 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday for a free breakfast entrée,” a press release from the chain says.
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Sonic Drive-In: “From May 5 to May 9, Teachers’ Circle members can redeem deals: “Free Sonic snack or side with purchase,” a free Soni Blast after buying one, and a $1.99 quarter-pound double cheeseburger,” according to a Sonic press release.
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To get the deal, you can join the free rewards program “exclusively for educators and is available through the SONIC App,” the release says.
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Atomic Wings: “Teachers who stop by their local Atomic Wings locations on May 6 can enjoy a free 5-piece order of boneless wings with fries,” Delish reports.
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Norwegian Cruise Line: 20 educators will get a free cruise. “From May 5 to May 31, 2025, the public is invited to nominate certified or accredited educators at www.nclgivingjoy.com by submitting heartfelt stories on how their favorite teacher is making a lasting impact on the lives of students and their community,” the press release says.
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Burger King: On May 6, Burger King is offering teachers “a free Whopper Jr. with a purchase of $1 or more,” Food Network says.
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Grimaldi’s Pizzeria: According to Today, teachers with a valid ID at participating locations get 15% of all orders from May 5-9.
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Shake Shack: “Free milkshake with a valid teacher ID,” The Democrat & Chronicle reports.
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Insomnia Cookies: “Free classic cookie when you purchase a cookie, with proof of employment,” The Democrat & Chronicle reported.
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Chick-fil-A: The chain allows individual locations to decide what deals to offer. One restaurant in Orlando, FL, is offering a free food item to teachers each day of appreciation week.
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Eddie Merlot’s: “From May 5 through 9, Eddie Merlot’s is offering all teachers a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée,” Food Network reports.
There are about 3.8 million public school teachers in the United States, according to Pew Research Center, and 23% of them are men.
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