Before the morning bell rang on Monday, educators across America found themselves celebrated in ways usually reserved for holidays and heroes.
At Whataburger drive-thrus, at the Museum of Illusions, even behind the counters at Best Buy, teachers were not asking for anything-they were being offered everything.
National Teacher Appreciation Week, running May 5 through May 9, has taken on a larger presence in 2025 than in recent years.
With a record number of brands stepping in to offer real perks-from free meals to classroom grants-this year’s tributes are as loud as a school pep rally, and finally, just as personal.
Free Food, Fresh Coffee, and Front-of-the-Line Perks
The appreciation started early-and hot. At Whataburger, teachers pulled up between 5 and 9 a.m. to receive free breakfast entrees. A taquito with cheese or the coveted Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit required nothing more than a school ID.
At Chick-fil-A, the line moved quickly as staff handed out free sandwiches or 8-count nuggets, all linked to the Chick-fil-A One app. And down the block, Sonic was mixing half-price Blasts and throwing in free snacks for teachers enrolled in its “Teachers’ Circle.”
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Restaurants across the country offered deals like these:
| Restaurant | Deal | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Whataburger | Free breakfast entrรฉe | May 5-9 |
| Chick-fil-A | Free sandwich or nuggets | May 6 |
| McAlister’s Deli | Free Big Tea | May 5-12 |
| Mountain Mike’s | 15% off all pizzas | May 6-9 |
| Insomnia Cookies | BOGO classic cookie | Through May 11 |
Grants and Gadgets: Beyond the Kitchen Table
Beyond snacks and sips, the biggest headline may be financial. Whataburger is awarding $75,000 in classroom grants, gifting 75 teachers with $1,000 each through its “Feeding Student Success” initiative.
The grants cover everything from tech needs to field trip funding. Chipotle upped the ante as well, announcing it will give away 100,000 free burritos-split between teachers and healthcare workers.
Winners are selected online, then verified by employment ID. And for those with a view of summer break, Hilton properties across Florida launched special teacher-only discounts tied to exclusive booking codes, offering stays in Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and more.
In the Classroom, Appreciation Still Feels Scarce
The numbers tell a tougher story. A Pew Research survey released last month revealed that 77% of teachers feel their job is frequently stressful, and 68% describe their workload as overwhelming. Even so, a majority expressed long-term dedication to their students.
A parallel study by Horace Mann Educators Corporation showed that more than 30% of teachers still do not feel appreciated, but continue to call their work a “lifelong calling.”
Local Events, Museums, and Retailers Join In
The wave of support extended past food. Retailers, entertainment venues, and digital services also opened their arms:
- Staples offered 20% off purchases plus a free pack of pens.
- Samsung released deep discounts on educational monitors and displays-some marked down over $600.
- Museum of Illusions granted free admission to all educators, including a raffle for bonus gift packs.
- Doodleface applied 20% off smudge-free crayon boards, helping early ed teachers get creative for less.
Pet supply brand Petlibro also offered 20% off smart feeders and fountains for teachers’ pets. Because the support, apparently, extends to four-legged dependents too.
How It All Started: A Legacy Decades in the Making
The idea for honoring educators started in 1953, when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt urged Congress to create a formal recognition day.
“It is quite impossible to give teachers monetary compensation alone that will repay for their devotion,” she wrote, “but we could compensate a little more adequately if we were conscious of their importance.”
In 1984, the National PTA made it official. The first full Teacher Appreciation Week took root in early May, coinciding with the school year’s final stretch.
An Invitation to Say Thanks
There is no wrong way to thank a teacher this week. That is the entire point. Whether through breakfast, a box of cookies, a hand-written card, or a classroom grant-gratitude is currency, and teachers are finally collecting.
The following national brands are offering teacher-specific deals through Friday:
- Whataburger
- Chipotle
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Petlibro
- Samsung
- Staples
- Mountain Mike’s
- Tim Hortons
- Grimaldi’s
- Sonic
- Sullivan’s Steakhouse
- Museum of Illusions
- Stitch Fix
- Box Tops for Education
- Smoothie King
- Hilton Hotels
A Note to Educators
You shape minds. You write futures. You teach America-one hour at a time. And for one week, the country finally steps back to say what you seldom hear loud enough.
Thank you.
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