Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4 to 8, 2026, so you can expect to lots of deals and freebies for teachers during this time. Several businesses are offering special deals and freebies to educators just during this time, and some offer deals all year long.
Make sure to click each link to get all the details. As always, participation might vary, so if the deal is from a chain make sure to verify with your location.
Please note that tax and tip aren’t generally included with free items.
Also, make sure to keep reading for a huge list of restaurant deals!
Teacher Appreciation Deals in 2026
We’ll be adding to this list as deals are announced. Some of these deals are available all year.
Apple
Apple offers Apple education pricing on a new Mac or iPad to college students and their parents, plus faculty, staff and homeschool teachers of all grade levels. This discount is around 10%. If you go into an Apple store to make a purchase, make sure to ask about the discount.
Chipotle
Chipotle invites teachers and healthcare professionals to enter for a chance to win a free Burrito e-card from April 28 through May 12, 2026, on the respective microsites:
Teachers: teacherthanks.chipotle.com
Healthcare professionals: healthcarethanks.chipotle.com
At the end of Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurse Appreciation Week, 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers will be randomly selected to receive an email to verify their employment status via ID.me, and receive a free Burrito e-card.
Costco
Teachers who join Costo as a Gold Star member get a free $20 Costco shop card. Those who join as an Executive member receive a $40 Digital Costo Shop Card. Info here.
Eyemart Express
Eyemart Express gives teachers and school faculty and staff an extra 20% savings on all purchases, including 2,000 frames, lens upgrades and accessories. Teachers simply need to present a valid ID like a school badge to take advantage of these savings at all Eyemart Express stores across the country. Details here.
Insomnia Cookies
Insomnia Cookies sent out a promotional email saying that teachers and nurses can get one cookie free when they buy one, in-store, May 5 to 12, 2026. (Free classic cookie with classic cookie purchase, or free deluxe cookie with deluxe cookie purchase.) Must show valid teacher/nurse identification and must be an Insomnia Rewards member to redeem. Participation in stores might vary.
Lenovo
Teachers and students can save sitewide at Lenovo. The discount excludes doorbusters and select clearance products.
McAlister’s Deli
Teachers who show an employee ID at participating McAlister’s Deli locations from May 4 to 8, 2026, will receive a free big tea. Must order in person for dine-in and takeout orders only. Must show valid healthcare ID at checkout. The same deal is available for Nurse Appreciation Week, on the same days.
Samsung
Educators can also take advantage of savings up to 30% on a wide range of mobile products through Samsung’s Education Offers Program on Samsung.com.
Verizon
Verizon offers discounts on mobile or home internet plans to teachers. Eligibility needs to be confirmed on ID.me. Details here.
More deals
Check back soon for more deals. We expect a lot will be added. In past years, there were Teacher Appreciation deals at:
- BurgerFi
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Firehouse Subs
- Moe’s Southwest Grill
- Zaxby’s
- Tijuana Flats
- Metro Diner
- Insomnia Cookies
- Pizza Hut
- Great Wolf Lodge
- Sonic Drive-In
- More
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
Deals offered by national chains are usually “participating locations only.” We can’t generally verify participation with a particular location, so we encourage you to contact the location to make sure. In addition, limited time offers can end without warning.
Upcoming Food and Drink related deals and events
Check out our big list of food and drink events and deals in the Triangle, or look at few of them here:
