May 2026 Freebies & Deals: Teacher, Nurse, Mother’s Day + Burger Day

If you love a good freebie, May is one of the BEST months of the year to pay attention.

Between Teacher Appreciation Week, Nurses Week, Mother’s Day, and National Burger Day… brands roll out everything from free food to big discounts — and some go fast.

Teacher Appreciation Week Deals

May 4-8, 2026

If you’re a teacher — or love one — this is one of the BEST weeks of the year for freebies.

Deals are still rolling out, but here's what we've found so far!

Confirmed for 2026

Updated with new confirmed offers May 4, 2026

• Chipotle — Teachers can register through May 12, 2026, for a chance to receive a free entrée gift card. At the end of the registration period, 100,000 teachers will be selected.
• Whataburger — free breakfast for teachers from 5-9 a.m. on May 7, 2026, plus giving away $60,000 in teacher grants
• McAlister's Deli — Free tea for educators and nurses May 4-8, 2026.
• Einstein Bros. Bagels — Free Bagel & Shmear with any purchase for teachers and nurses with work ID on May 6.
• Shake Shack: Free ShackBurger or VeggieShack with purchase for teachers and nurses; in-Shack only, valid ID required.
• Potbelly — Complimentary cookie or regular-sized fountain drink for educator and nurses with the purchase of any entrée May 4-May 12, 2026.

Note that many franchise-owned chains also offer deals on a store-by-store basis. Many Chick-Fil-A and McDonald's locations, for instance, are offering deals. Check your local businesses to see if they're participating.

We’ll update this section as 2026 deals are confirmed. Some of the best deals only last a day, so check back often so you don't miss out!

Nurses Week Freebies & Deals

May 6-12, 2026

Nurses Week usually brings a handful of food freebies and thank-you deals, especially from coffee and quick-service brands.

Confirmed for 2026:

Updated with new confirmed offers May 4, 2026.

• Chipotle — Healthcare workers can register through May 12, 2026, for a chance to receive a free entrée gift card. At the end of the registration period, 100,000 healthcare workers will be selected.
• Whataburger — Free breakfast on May 7, and $60,000 awarded in classroom grants 
• Home Chef — Nurses get 50% off first box, then 10% ongoing/lifetime discount
• McAlister's Deli — Free tea for educators and nurses May 4-8, 2026.
• Einstein Bros. Bagels — Free Bagel & Shmear with any purchase for teachers and nurses with work ID on May 6.
• Potbelly — Complimentary cookie or regular-sized fountain drink for educator and nurses with the purchase of any entrée May 4-May 12, 2026.
• Target — Verified teachers who are Target Circle members can get 10% off one storewide purchase May 3–9.

Note that many franchise owned chains also offer deals on a store-by-store basis. Many Chick-Fil-A and Dunkin' locations, for instance, are offering deals, or have in years past to health care workers. Check your local businesses to see if they're participating.

Mother’s Day Deals

May 10, 2026

A lot of Mother’s Day deals fall into the very relatable category of "please do not make me cook today."

Mother’s Day 2026 Freebies & Deals

Updated May 4, 2026

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, and a few restaurants and retailers are celebrating moms with freebies, sweet treats, gift card bonuses, and easy ways to save. As always, offers can vary by location and may require a rewards account, app order, promo code, or membership, so check before you go.

• Lowe’s — MyLowe’s Rewards members can pick up a free spring flower on Saturday, May 9, starting at 10 a.m., while supplies last.
• TCBY — Moms can get their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt and toppings free on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, at participating locations. Offer may vary by location.

We'll be updating this all week so check back for more confirmed deals!

Note: Deals can vary by location and may change without notice. Some offers require a rewards account, app order, promo code, or valid membership, so check with your local restaurant before making a special trip.

National Burger Day Deals

May 28, 2026

This is usually one of the better food freebie days of the year. Burger chains love National Burger Day, and last year brought everything from penny burgers to app deals and giveaway promos.

• Shake Shack — Each week in May, Shake Shack is offering a different Shake Shack single burger for free with a $10 minimum purchase

We’re still waiting on more 2026 offers, but here’s a look at some of the deals chains ran in 2025 so you know what kinds of offers to watch for based on previous years:

• Burger King — ran a full week of Royal Perks app deals, including a free cheeseburger, free Whopper Jr. and more.
• Red Robin — celebrated all month with prize giveaways, including a chance to win free burgers for a year
• Wendy’s — offered a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger for just 1¢ with any purchase in the app from May 28 through June 1

What will this year bring?? Burger chains typically announce closer to the date, so we’ll update this section as soon as 2026 National Burger Day deals start dropping.

Know of a great freebie or deal we should add? Send it our way  — we’ll keep this list updated all month long.