The pursuit of academic excellence is often met with tangible rewards from various businesses, particularly in the food and entertainment sectors. A number of restaurants and chains across the United States offer complimentary items to students who present strong report cards, providing a form of positive reinforcement for hard work. These programmes are typically highly localised, with participation determined by individual franchise owners, meaning availability can vary significantly even within the same brand. Students and their families are generally required to present an original report card at a participating location, often with specific eligibility criteria such as grade level (e.g., kindergarten through eighth grade) or the requirement of straight A's. The following information details the specific rewards, eligibility rules, and participation notes as reported in the available source material.
Understanding the Landscape of Report Card Rewards
Many brands structure their reward programmes around the presentation of a physical report card. The offers range from free food items, such as ice cream, donuts, and pizza, to tokens for arcade games. A common theme across the sources is the emphasis on checking with local outlets before making a trip, as corporate policies often defer to individual franchise discretion. For instance, the source material explicitly states that for chains like Cold Stone Creamery, Baskin Robbins, and Culver's, participation is at the discretion of individual franchise owners.
Several programmes are designed for specific age groups. For example, the "Super Student Certificate" offered by Chuck E. Cheese is available to students who bring a report card and the completed certificate to a participating location, receiving 10 free tokens for arcade games. This reward is generally available with any food purchase. Similarly, programmes from chains like McDonald's and The Melting Pot have distinct offers for different grade levels.
Specific Restaurant and Chain Offers
Ice Cream and Dessert Treats
A significant number of rewards focus on sweet treats, particularly ice cream.
- Baskin Robbins: Participating locations may offer a free scoop of ice cream for good grades. The availability is subject to the discretion of individual franchise owners.
- Cold Stone Creamery: Participating locations may offer a free ice cream (up to a specific value, such as $5.25) to students in kindergarten through fifth grade who present a straight A report card. As stores are individually owned and operated, students must check with their local shop.
- Dairy Queen: Participating locations may offer free ice cream for good report cards, though specific details on eligibility are not provided in the source material.
- Graeter’s Ice Cream: This chain is listed among those that may offer rewards for good grades, but specific programme details are not elaborated upon in the available chunks.
- Krispy Kreme: Some locations offer a free glazed donut for every A on a report card, up to a limit of six donuts. This offer is confirmed to vary by location, and students may be asked to show a copy of their report card. Another source specifies that students may be able to get up to six free original glazed doughnuts or a 3-pack of their choice of donuts for good grades.
- Cheryl’s Cookies: The "Cookies for A’s" programme allows K-8th grade students to receive up to three free cookies for earning A's on their report cards. However, one source indicates that they could not find current information regarding the programme's status for the current year, suggesting it may be inactive or paused. Another source describes the programme as allowing students to present report cards at retail locations to receive a free cookie per A, for up to 3 A's.
Fast Food and Casual Dining
Several fast-food and casual dining chains offer meals or specific items as rewards.
- McDonald’s: At participating locations, Kindergarten through 5th grade students with straight A's may earn a free Happy Meal, while 6th through 12th grade students may get a free Value Meal. Offers are subject to variation, and it is recommended to call the local restaurant to confirm.
- Chick-fil-A: Some locations offer a free 8-pack of nuggets to students who bring in a report card with all A's and B's. The source material notes that it can be difficult to get a corporate response from Chick-fil-A, and participation must be verified by calling the local location.
- Burger King: At select locations, students may be able to get one free hamburger or ice cream cone for good grades. The availability is highly regional, and it is advised to contact the local Burger King to confirm participation.
- IHOP: Participating locations may offer a free kids' meal with a good report card. The offer is available at select locations, and participation is subject to local ownership.
- Bob Evans: Select locations may offer a free treat, such as a scoop of ice cream, for students who receive all A's on their report card.
- Wendy’s: Other sources claim that a report card with As and Bs may get a free dessert, but official confirmation is lacking. Participating locations may offer students a free treat when they show the cashier a report card with As and Bs, but verification with the local restaurant is necessary.
- Peter Piper Pizza: This chain offers a free 7-inch, 1-topping pizza for good grades on a student's report card. Locations are primarily in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Mexico. The Peter Piper Student Incentive Programme rewards students with free treats like a personal pizza, soft serve, or root beer float for academic achievements.
- Pizza Hut: Each marking period, any child with 3 A's or the equivalent may receive one Personal Pan Pizza and a small soft drink or carton of milk by presenting their report card to the manager. This offer is for elementary and middle school students, dine-in only, and requires the student to be present with the original report card. It is available at participating locations.
- Applebee’s: Listed as a restaurant that may give free stuff for good grades, but specific programme details are not provided in the source material.
- Amazing Jakes: This venue is listed among those that may offer rewards, but no specific details are available.
- Jason’s Deli: The source material mentions "Kid Cash and Pickle Reward Cards for Kids" but does not elaborate on the programme's mechanics or eligibility.
- Long John Silver’s: This chain is listed as offering student rewards, but specific programme details are not provided.
- Marco Pizza: Listed as a restaurant that may give free stuff for good grades, but specific programme details are not provided in the source material.
Other Entertainment and Retail Rewards
Beyond food, some businesses offer rewards in the form of entertainment tokens or other items.
- Chuck E. Cheese: The "Super Student Certificate" programme allows students to bring a report card and the completed certificate to a participating location to receive 10 free tokens for arcade games. This reward is generally available with any food purchase.
- The Melting Pot: Some locations, such as the Boca Raton, FL location, have historically offered a free three or four-course meal for straight A's. However, one source could not find information for the current year, and another source indicates that a free meal is offered at participating locations with the requirement of purchasing an equal or greater value entrée and a beverage. The offer includes a Three-Course Petite Feast (cheese, pick-three entrée, and chocolate fondue) and is available in nearly 100 locations across multiple states.
- Noah’s Bagels: Students can get a free bagel for every A on their report cards at participating locations. The offer is valid for grades 1-8, and signing up for the Noah’s Rewards club is also mentioned. Freebies are subject to local restaurant participation.
- Red Robin: Some sources claim that students aged 10 and under get a free kids' meal and students aged 11 and up get a free Monster Milkshake, but official confirmation is not provided in the source material.
- Emagine Luxury Theaters: This chain is listed as one that may offer rewards for good grades, but specific programme details are not elaborated upon.
Digital and App-Based Rewards
In addition to physical location offers, some programmes utilise digital platforms.
- Kudzoo App: Middle school and college students can download the free Kudzoo app and build "Kudzoo cash" to use at various establishments, including restaurants and concert venues. This represents a digital alternative to traditional report card rewards.
Important Considerations for Participants
The source material consistently highlights several key points that potential participants should consider:
- Local Verification is Essential: The most critical rule is to always call the local participating location before visiting. Franchise ownership means that participation is not guaranteed across all outlets of a given brand, and offers can change.
- Original Report Cards: Most programmes require the presentation of the original report card, not a copy. Students are often required to be present.
- Age and Grade Restrictions: Many programmes are limited to specific age groups, such as kindergarten through eighth grade. Some, like The Melting Pot's historical offer, have age-based distinctions.
- Specific Achievement Requirements: Rewards are often tied to specific academic achievements, such as straight A's, all A's and B's, or a certain number of A's (e.g., three A's for Pizza Hut).
- Potential for Inactivity: Some programmes, like Cheryl's Cookies, may be inactive or paused, as indicated by the inability to find current information for the current year. This underscores the need for up-to-date verification.
- Geographic Limitations: Many offers, such as those from Peter Piper Pizza, are available only in specific states or regions.
Conclusion
A variety of businesses across the United States offer freebies and rewards to students for achieving good grades on their report cards. These programmes are predominantly found in the food service industry, with ice cream shops, fast-food chains, and casual dining restaurants providing complimentary items like ice cream, donuts, pizza, and full meals. The availability of these rewards is highly localised, as individual franchise owners often decide whether to participate. Therefore, the most reliable step for any student or family is to contact their local outlet directly to confirm participation and understand the specific eligibility criteria, which may include grade level, the presence of straight A's, and the requirement to present an original report card. While some digital programmes like the Kudzoo app offer an alternative, the traditional model of presenting a report card for an immediate reward remains a common practice among participating businesses.