Teacher Appreciation Week 2026 restaurant deals & freebies – WRAL

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During Teacher Appreciation Week 2026, multiple restaurants are offering freebies & discounts starting May 4th! Read on for a growing list of offers. Restaurants often announce their deals the day they are valid so check back for additional offers. Keep in mind that these deals are only available at participating locations.   

Beow’s Coffee & Café

Beow’s Coffee & Café in Raleigh is offering teachers 20% off week May 4-9, 2026 according to their Instagram post. They are located at 8111-153 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC. 

Chick-fil-A

Select Greater Triangle area Chick-fil-A locations are offering a free 4 ct Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis or Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich on May 5, 2026 when you present your school ID in-restaurant. Check with your specific location to verify if they are participating. Many locations are posting the deal on their Facebook pages. See the offer posted on the Chick-fil-A Garner Facebook page and the Chick-fil-A at Village District (in Raleigh) Facebook page and the Chick-fil-A Roxboro Rd (in Durham) Facebook page. 

Chipotle

Chipotle is offering teachers (and healthcare workers) a chance to enter to win a free entrée e-gift card through May 12, 2026. According to their press release:     

“Through May 12, Chipotle invites teachers and healthcare workers to enter for a chance to receive a free entrée e-gift card on their respective microsites:  

Teachers: teacherthanks.chipotle.com   

Healthcare workers: healthcarethanks.chipotle.com

At the conclusion of the entry period, an initial 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers will be randomly selected and invited to verify their employment status via ID.me. If potential winners do not verify their employment status, additional potential winners will be selected and invited to verify their status.

Teachers and healthcare workers who successfully verify their employment status within 48 hours will receive a free entrée e-gift card. Winners will be notified starting May 13.” 

Duck Donuts

On Friday, May 8, 2026, teachers, nurses and healthcare workers get a free medium hot coffee or cold brew at participating Duck Donuts locations, according to the e-mail sent to subscribers on May 4. The offer is valid in-shop only when you present ID at the register. In addition, get 20% off an online order of $50 or more with code THANKYOU2026 at checkout through May 8, 2025 at participating locations. 

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies is offering teachers (and nurses) who are rewards members a buy 1 cookie, get 1 free cookie deal with valid ID in-stores May 5-12, 2026. Valid at participating locations. In addition, Insomnia Rewards Members get 20% off online orders of 50+ cookie packs with the code EARNEDIT26 at checkout. 

McAlister’s Deli

McAlister’s Deli is offering teachers (and nurses) a free sweet or unsweet tea at participating locations from May 4-8, 2026 by showing your valid educator or medical ID  in-store. There is a limit of 1 per person and no purchase is necessary.  

MOD Pizza

Teachers (and nurses) get a BOGO deal. Buy a MOD-size pizza or salad and get one free from May 4-7 when you order in the restaurant and show your work badge at the register, according to the post on their Facebook page. Valid at participating locations.    

Potbelly

Potbelly is offering teachers (and nurses) a free cookie or regular-sized fountain drink when you buy an entrée from Monday, May 4 through May 12, 2026, according to an e-mail from their PR folks. The offer is available in-shop at participating locations when you show a valid school or healthcare employee ID at checkout. In addition, through Sunday, May 10, get 10% off catering orders over $200 when you use the code SAVE10 at checkout at participating locations.  

Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday is offering teachers (and nurses) a free add-on Garden Bar with any entrée purchase May 5-6, 2026 at participating locations when you show valid I.D. and use code THANKYOU26. Valid for dine-in only. See the offer posted on their Instagram. In addition, get 20% off catering orders of $150 or more with code SCHOOLDEAL through May 9, 2026 at participating locations. See the offer shared on their Instagram. 

Whataburger

According to their press release: “On Thursday, May 7, teachers and school staff are invited to start their day with a free, hot breakfast during the brand’s annual Whatateacher celebration.  

From 5 to 9 a.m. local time, educators can stop by participating Whataburger restaurants and enjoy their choice of a free Breakfast on a Bun, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit or Breakfast Taquito with a valid school ID. Promotion hours may vary by location based on operating hours, so Guests are encouraged to check with their local Whataburger for exact timing. Offer is available for dine-in, takeout and drive-thru orders, limit one per person. Eligible recipient must be present to redeem.” This offer is valid at participating locations on May 7, 2026. 

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See the list of Nurse Appreciation Week restaurant deals HERE!

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Gift Card Offers

Applebee’s: Buy a $50 Applebee’s gift card and get a $10 bonus gift card through 6/28/26. Bonus card expires 8/2/26.    

Auntie Anne’s: Buy $25 in Auntie Anne’s gift cards and get two $5 Rewards through May 10, 2026. The $5 rewards are valid through 7/31/26.

Bruegger’s Bagels: Get 20% off e-Gift Cards when purchased online through June 23, 2026.    

Cinnabon: Buy $25 in Cinnabon gift cards and get two $5 Rewards through May 10, 2026. The $5 rewards are valid through 7/31/26.

Jamba: Buy $30 in Jamba gift cards and get two $5 Rewards through May 10, 2026. The $5 rewards are valid through 7/21/26.

Moe’s Southwest Grill: Get a $25 gift card for $20 through 5/10/26 on their website.  

Outback Steakhouse: Buy $50 in gift cards through 6/21/2026 and receive a $10 bonus card that is valid 6/22-8/23/2026.   

Panda Express: Buy $30 in gift cards online and receive an $8 Bonus Card through May 11, 2026. The Bonus Card is valid through 7/31/26. 

Panera Bread: Get a $10 Bonus Card for every $50 in Gift Cards you purchase through May 31, 2026. The Bonus Card is valid 6/1-6/30/26.  

Red Robin: Buy a $50 gift card online and receive a $10 Bonus Buck through June 21, 2026. 

Subway: Buy $25 in gift cards and get a free 6″ sub through June 30, 2026. 

Texas Road House: Get a $10 Bonus eGift Card for every $50 in gift cards purchased online through 5/15/26.     

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See additional grocery, restaurant and retail deals on the WRAL Smart Shopper page HERE!

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