National Nurses Week 2026 restaurant deals and freebies

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National Nurses Week 2026 is May 6-12 and multiple restaurants are offering freebies and discounts starting as early as May 4th! In addition, there are a number of gift card offers for restaurants if you want to treat the special nurse in your life. Read on for the growing list of offers available at participating locations.   

Nurses Week was created back in 1990 and runs May 6 through May 12 each year. National Nurses Day is officially on May 6 & then May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is often credited with being the founder of modern nursing.    

Chipotle is offering healthcare workers (and teachers) 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."  

On Friday, May 8, 2026, nurses and healthcare workers (and teachers) 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 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 is offering nurses (and teachers) 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 & no purchase is necessary.  

Nurses (and teachers) 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 Sandwich Works is offering nurses (and teachers) 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 is offering nurses (and teachers) 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. 

Scooter’s Coffee is offering nurses and healthcare workers a free medium drink at participating locations on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, with a valid healthcare ID. The offer is not eligible for mobile order ahead.  

Nurses (and teacher) get a free TGI Friday's meal on May 6 from 11 AM - 8 PM at participating locations with ID. Choose from 5 specific meals. Valid for dine-in only. See the details and meal options on their Facebook page.

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 & 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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