During Teacher Appreciation Week, restaurants and stores celebrate teachers' hard work and dedication by showering them with discounts, deals, and freebies.
What can you expect in 2026? Educators will find a variety of discounts during Teacher Appreciation Week, including free coffee, free desserts, gift card offers, and exclusive discounts. We'll likely see teacher-only giveaways and sweepstakes. In every case, teachers will have to present a valid school ID.
Here's a look at what we predict for restaurants and retailers' offers in 2026. Be sure to bookmark this post. We'll update it with the latest deals as they drop when Teacher Appreciation Week comes around next year.
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Offers, prices, and local participation may vary.
Teacher Appreciation Week happens once a year, recognizing teachers with special deals and freebies.
National Teacher Appreciation Week began in 1984 and wraps around National Teacher Appreciation Day, which is always the Tuesday of the first full week of May.
Restaurants, stores, and other businesses observe National Teacher Appreciation Week with discounts, specials, and freebies available only to educators.
Teacher Appreciation Week started Monday, May 4, 2026.
Teacher Appreciation Week always starts on the first Monday in May and runs through Friday of that week. In 2026, that’s Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8.
Predicted Teacher Appreciation Week Food Deals 2026
Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza & Wings: In 2026, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza & Wings will likely offer educators a discount when they dine in and show a valid ID.
Applebee’s: We anticipate teachers who dine in at Applebee’s will receive a free appetizer with an entree purchase during Teacher Appreciation Week next year. It will likely be exclusive to Flynn Applebee's locations in AL, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, MA, ME, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA, WI, WV, and Plattsburg, NY.
Aroma Joe's: Look for Aroma Joe's to offer teachers a free drink (no purchase necessary) when they show a valid work ID.
Atomic Wings: On Teacher Appreciation Day (May 5, 2026), teachers will likely receive a freebie when they dine in at Atomic Wings.
Bad Daddy's Burger Bar: We predict a $4 Bad Ass Margarita at Bad Daddy's Burger Bar on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Beef 'O' Brady's: Teachers can look forward to an exclusive discount on Beef 'O' Brady's orders during Teacher Appreciation Week when they show a valid work ID.
Bubbakoo's Burritos: Watch for a discount on your entire in-store purchase at Bubbakoo's Burritos next year.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Teachers and school staff will likely get a discount on their dine-in, walk-in, and call-in orders at Buffalo Wild Wings. You'll have to show valid work ID.
Burger King: Educators can look for a freebie, such as a FREE Whopper Jr. with any $1 online or in-app Burger King purchase on National Teacher Appreciation Day (May 5, 2026).
Chick-fil-A: Participating Chick-fil-A restaurants will likely offer teachers a freebie, like a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich or 8-count nuggets. Note these deals may require you to order using a specific method: online, in-app, or in-store.
Chicken Salad Chick: Watch for Chicken Salad Chick to offer a BOGO free deal on their large Quick Chick Salads during National Teacher Appreciation Week 2026.
Chipotle: Next year, we anticipate Chipotle will celebrate educators by giving away 100,000 burritos in the form of Burrito E-Cards to teachers and other school staff. The giveaway will likely run during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Look for a discount on your in-store purchase at Dickey's Barbecue Pit when you show a valid work ID.
Dunn Brothers Coffee: In 2026, look for a Teacher Appreciation offer like two medium coffee-based drinks for $10 at Dunn Brothers Coffee.
Eddie Merlot's: We predict Eddie Merlot's will offer teachers a free dessert with the purchase of an entree. You must present a valid school ID.
Green Mill: Look for half-price taps (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) during National Teacher Appreciation Week at Green Mill in 2026. Plus, you'll likely get a free appetizer with any food purchase on May 5. You'll have to show a valid school ID for these deals.
Happy Joe's: We anticipate Happy Joe's will offer teachers a discount when they show a valid ID.
Hat Creek Burger Company: All school staff, including teachers, can anticipate a free Little Hat Burger when they dine-in or order takeout at any Hat Creek Burger Company location in 2026, no purchase necessary. All you'll have to do is show a valid school ID.
HTeaO: HTeaO will likely offer teachers a BOGO deal on all cups of tea, valid during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4 - 8).
Insomnia Cookies: Watch for a BOGO free Classic cookie at Insomnia Cookies during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
La Madeleine: We predict a BOGO offer on bakery items when you order through the La Madeleine Bonjour Rewards app on Teacher Appreciation Day, May 5..
Logan's Roadhouse: In 2026, teachers can look for an exclusive discount on an entree at Logan's Roadhouse.
McAlister’s Deli: Next year, McAlister's Deli will likely celebrate teachers with a FREE Big tea with dine-in or takeout orders. Plus, we anticipate they'll hold a giveaway for a catered lunch (for one teacher and 30 of their coworkers or teammates).
Mod Pizza: Teachers can watch for a BOGO free Mod-size pizza or salad at Mod Pizza during National Teacher Appreciation Week 2026.
Mountain Mike's Pizza: Mountain Mike's Pizza will likely celebrate teachers with a discount on any pizza when they use a promo code at checkout online or in-app from May 4 - 8.
Original ChopShop: We anticipate teachers will get a discount on online and in-store orders at Original ChopShop.
Peter Piper Pizza: Next year, educators can look for a free 1-topping personal pan pizza at Peter Piper Pizza during Teacher Appreciation Week (it will likely only be available at Arizona and Albuquerque locations between 3 - 7 p.m.). You'll have to present a valid school ID.
Potbelly: We predict Potbelly will offer teachers a free cookie or regular-sized fountain drink with an in-store entree purchase during National Teacher Appreciation Week in 2026..
RaceTrac: Teachers can anticipate a FREE medium coffee every day during National Teacher Appreciation Week at RaceTrac when they verify eligibility at RaceTracTeachers.com or in the RaceTrac app.
Ruby Tuesday: Educators will likely get a free add-on Garden Bar at Ruby Tuesday when they use a promo code in-store next year.
Salata: In 2026, watch for a discount on a dine-in meal at Salata when you show a valid ID.
Shake Shack: Select Shake Shack locations will likely offer a free shake (Classic or LTO) with purchase during National Teacher Week next year.
Shipley Do-Nuts: Teachers who are loyalty members can anticipate a free half-dozen glazed Do-nuts at Shipley Do-Nuts, no purchase necessary.
Smoothie King: We predict educators (with a valid ID) will get a discount on their Smoothie King order during next year's National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Sonic: Join the Sonic Teachers’ Circle Rewards (it's free to join) in the Sonic app, and you'll likely get exclusive deals from May 4 - 8, 2026. We anticipate each will require an online or in-app purchase. You may find deals like the following next year:
Free snack or side with purchase
Buy one Sonic Blast and get one free
$1.99 Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger
Sullivan's Steakhouse: Watch for a free dessert at Sullivan's Steakhouse with the purchase of an entree. You'll have to show a valid work ID.
Taco John's: Teachers, school faculty, and staff will likely get a FREE small beef Crispy or Softshell Taco Combo in-store at Taco John's during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
TGI Fridays: Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day next year on May 5 with a FREE menu item at TGI Fridays (between 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.), no purchase necessary. You'll have a chance to select from several options. Here's what we saw during the last event.
Cheeseburger and fries
Crispy chicken fingers with fries and coleslaw
Caesar Salad with grilled chicken
Half rack of ribs + choice of side
Half portion Cajun Chicken & Shrimp pasta
THB Bagels: Next year, look for THB Bagels to offer a discount on catering orders for National Teacher Appreciation Week.
The Green Turtle: We predict educators will get a FREE meal at The Green Turtle when they dine-in and show a valid work ID on Teacher Appreciation Day, May 5, 2026.
Tijuana Flats: At Tijuana Flats, watch for a discount on your entire dine-in or to-go order during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Tim Hortons: Tim Hortons will likely have a BOGO free doughnut deal in 2026. Plus, we anticipate a BOGO deal, such as buy 12 doughnuts and get six free.
Vitality Bowls: In 2026, we predict educators will get a discount on all orders at Vitality Bowls when they show a valid teacher ID.
Whataburger: Next year, teachers and school employees can look for a free breakfast entree, like a Breakfast on a Bun or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, from 5 - 9 a.m. at Whataburger.
Which Wich: On May 5, 2026, we anticipate a teacher-exclusive discount on an in-store Which Wich order when you show a valid work ID.
WOB World of Beer Bar & Kitchen: Watch WOB Bar & Kitchen celebrate teachers with a discount when they dine-in during National Teacher Appreciation Week. You must show your teacher ID. We anticipate the offer will have a limit of one per check, per day.
More Teacher Appreciation Week Deals and Discounts
Office Depot/Office Max: Next year, educators can anticipate a 20% discount on a purchase at Office Depot/Office Max when they create a rewards account (it's free to join) and verify their eligibility through ID.me. Once verified, you'll receive your one-time coupon via email.
Samsung: In 2026, we predict a monthlong sale with several Samsung deals for teachers, administrators, and school leaders. Plus, they offer educators up to a 30% discount once they verify eligibility through ID.me. Here are some of the savings you might find next May.
Up to $800 off the Samsung WAD Interactive Display (65", 75", and 86" models)
$620 off the 27" ViewFinity S9 monitor
Up to $360 off ViewFinity curved monitors (34" S65VC and S65TC models)
Scholastic: Scholastic will likely have 50% off select items at Shop.Scholastic.com.
Stanley: Next year, teachers can look forward to 40% off Stanley (not valid on Quenchers) with a one-time-use code they'll receive when they verify eligibility through ID.me.
Staples: Staples will likely have several deals during National Teacher Appreciation Week in 2026, including a 20% discount on an in-store purchase. Plus, look for a freebie, such as a free 12-pack of Tru Red Stick Pens, when you use an in-app coupon. We also anticipate an exclusive teacher discount on printing.
Stitch Fix: Teachers can anticipate a discount on their first Fix at Stitch Fix when they verify eligibility through ID.me.
Target: Watch for the 10% Target teacher discount during Teacher Appreciation Week 2026.
The Parking Spot: Next year, we predict The Parking Spot (the near-airport parking company) will offer educators 25% off parking in May for travel anytime through the end of 2026. You'll have to sign up with an associated education email account.
Everyday Teacher Discounts
In addition to offering teacher freebies, several retailers and other businesses have everyday teacher discounts.
Ann Taylor / Loft: Teachers can enjoy a 15% discount year-round at Ann Taylor and Loft. This discount is valid for in-store purchases only.
BJ's Wholesale Club: ID.me verified educators can get a $10 reward when they sign up for a BJ's Wholesale Club membership for $25 (regularly $60).
Canva: Teachers at eligible schools can get Canva for Education free.
Costco: Sign up for a Costco membership and receive a Shop Card. New Executive members will receive a $40 Shop Card, while Gold Star members will get a $20 Shop Card.
Crocs: Crocs offers educators who verify their eligibility through ID.me a 15% discount on full-priced items at Crocs.com.
Blick Art Materials: Teachers who join the Blick Preferred program can save 10% every day at Blick.
Eyemart Express: Any school employee (including educators, nurses, custodial staff, food service, and even bus drivers) at an accredited public or private school, PK -12, college, or university can get a 20% discount (in-store only) at Eyemart Express with a proper school ID. Offer is valid year-round.
Lenovo: Educators can save 5% at Lenovo.com every day.
Peacock TV: Teachers can enjoy Peacock Premium for only $3.99 (regularly $7.99) a month for a year.
Willow: Willow offers teachers who are also moms a 30% discount on a Willow Breast Pump (not valid on accessories). Verification through SheerID is required for the discount.
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