--- title: "Teacher Appreciation Week 2026: Restaurant Specials and Deals" url: https://burnaze.com/article/390ac4cd-13d1-4306-b3ac-458bcd5958b0 source: "Franchise Wire" original_url: https://www.franchisewire.com/teacher-appreciation-week-2026-restaurant-specials-and-deals/ author: "Haley Cafarella" category: "Restaurants" industry: "Restaurants" published: 2026-05-03T10:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T13:17:01.028Z image: https://www.franchisewire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/TEACHER.jpg --- # Teacher Appreciation Week 2026: Restaurant Specials and Deals **TL;DR:** Various QSR and dessert franchises, including Aroma Joe's and Chipotle, are offering freebies and special deals to honor educators during Teacher Appreciation Week. Participating franchises include Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Dog Haus, HTeaO, Jason's Deli, Krystal, McAlister's Deli, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Potbelly, Salata, Starbird, Sullivan's Steakhouse, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. *By Haley Cafarella, originally published in Franchise Wire on 2026-05-03. [Read the original](https://www.franchisewire.com/teacher-appreciation-week-2026-restaurant-specials-and-deals/).* ## Story Teacher Appreciation Week, recognized during the first week of May, is the perfect time to celebrate the educators who inspire, encourage and guide students every day. Cards and flowers are always thoughtful, but this year, fast-food and dessert franchises are also making the grade with special freebies and limited-time deals. On May 5, which is Teacher Appreciation Day, educators can enjoy a free 24-ounce iced drink from Aroma Joe’s. The offer is valid in-store only. Chipotle is honoring up to 200,000 teachers and healthcare workers with free entrée e-gift cards as part of its annual Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week celebration. Educators can visit teacherthanks.chipotle.com through May 12 to enter. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, a Texas-based BBQ franchise, is celebrating the service of educators and nurses by offering them a free scoop of Ms. Ollie’s Strawberry Ice Cream from May 4–8. Valid identification is required to redeem the promotion. Educators get 20% off their orders at participating Dog Haus locations when they show a valid teacher’s ID from May 4–8. HTeaO, a leading iced tea franchise, is offering teachers and nurses half-off cups of tea from May 4–8 to honor their service. Jason’s Deli is making it easy to celebrate educators this Teacher Appreciation Week with its crowd-pleasing catering packages. Schools and organizations can choose from individual sandwich boxes or a community-style pasta party. The breakfast bundles feature assorted warm breakfast sandwiches and are priced at $40 for serving 12. Krystal is making it easier for teachers to start the school day with a hot breakfast. From May 4–8, educators who show a valid ID can enjoy 50% off. From May 4–8, teachers and nurses are invited to visit McAlister’s Deli for a complimentary sweet or unsweet tea. No purchase is required to redeem the offer. Nothing Bundt Cakes has an A+ deal for loyalty members from May 4–8. Bundtastic Rewards members can earn 100, 200 or 300 bonus points when purchasing a single, double or triple Bundtlet Tower (above). In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week (May 6–12), educators and healthcare workers can visit Potbelly to receive a complementary cookie or regular-sized fountain drink with the purchase of any entrée. The offer is available in-store only, with a valid school or healthcare employee ID required at checkout to redeem. Through May 10, guests also get 10% off catering orders over $200 by using the code SAVE10. Salata, a fast-casual salad concept, is showing appreciation for educators and nurses by offering 15% off their meals from May 4–12. A valid ID is required at checkout. Starbird is thanking educators for all their hard work with a complimentary entrée in-restaurant on May 5. A valid teacher’s ID is required to redeem the offer. From May 4–8, teachers can receive a free dessert from Sullivan’s Steakhouse with the purchase of an entrée. A valid teacher’s ID is required to redeem the deal. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is honoring the dedication of teachers and nurses by offering a free coffee or tea beverage through May 12. A valid ID is required at checkout. ## Entities - QSR (sector) - Chipotle (company) - Franchise Wire (publication) - Dickey's Barbecue Pit (company) - Potbelly (company) - McAlister's Deli (company) - Dog Haus (company) - limited time offers (topic) - HTeaO (company) - Haley Cafarella (person) - Krystal (company) - Nothing Bundt Cakes (company) --- Originally reported by Haley Cafarella, Franchise Wire (https://www.franchisewire.com/teacher-appreciation-week-2026-restaurant-specials-and-deals/). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/390ac4cd-13d1-4306-b3ac-458bcd5958b0).