With gift giving season quickly approaching, restaurant chains across the country are serving up their gift cards with promotions that benefit those who give.
Though gift cards are becoming an increasingly popular option, consumers are still watching their wallets, according to First Data, a global payment-processing firm. In October, First Data found that consumers purchased more gift cards than they did last year, but they loaded smaller amounts onto those cards.
Restaurant companies are competing more aggressively for gift card buyers, with an increasing number selling e-cards online and most offering kick-back rewards to entice shoppers, with deals ranging from cash toward a future visit to sweepstake prizes like trips.
At The Cheesecake Factory, for example, guests who purchase a $25 gift card between Nov. 26 and Dec. 24 will receive a “Slice of Joy” card redeemable for a free slice of cheesecake on a future visit from Dec. 26 through the end of March 2011. The offer is also available for online e-cards, which The Cheesecake Factory is offering for the first time this year.
Those who register their “Slice of Joy” cards can enter a sweepstakes to win a trip for two anywhere in the world.
“We know the holidays are a time to share unforgettable memories with family and friends near and far, so we wanted to make gift giving as easy as possible and we are pleased to offer eGift Cards this year,” said David Overton, founder of the Calabasas Hills, Calif.-based company. “What better time of year to share joy with loved ones than at the holidays, and The Cheesecake Factory has always been thankful to be a part of America’s holiday celebrations.”
Here’s a round up of gift card promotions across the country:
• Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, with 1,900 U.S. locations, is offering a $10 Bonus Gift Card with the purchase of every $50 in gift cards. The Bonus Gift Cards will be available through Dec. 31 and are redeemable through Feb. 28.
• Sister brand IHOP is offering a $5 coupon with the purchase in the restaurant of a $25 gift card by Jan. 2. The coupons must be redeemed at a participating restaurant within the 1,500-unit chain before Jan. 31.
• Multiconcept operator Parasole Restaurant Holdings, based in Edina, Minn., is offering $25 card for every $100 spent on gift cards. Parasole's brands include Manny’s Steakhouse, Uptown Cafeteria & Sky Bar, Burger Jones, Chino Latino, Salut Bar Americain, Pittsburgh Blue Steakhouse, Muffuletta, Good Earth and Il Gatto.
• The 460-unit Hooters chain is offering $5 or $10 Santa Bonus Cards for guests who purchase a $25 or $50 Hooters gift card, respectively. The chain is offering gift cards in $10, $20, $25 and $50 denominations. The Santa Bonus Cards are valid Jan. 3 through Feb. 28 and can be used toward all beverage, food or merchandise, except alcohol.
• Haru Sushi’s seven locations in Manhattan are offering $10 bonus cards to all who purchase $50 gift cards. The bonus cards are valid between January and March.
• Ledo Pizza, a 98-unit regional chain based in Annapolis, Md., is offering a $5 card with every $25 in Ledo Gift Cards purchased at participating locations.
• Multiconcept operator B.R. Guest Restaurants, based in New York, is offering 20 percent off gift cards purchased through Dec. 10. Cards are available in denominations of $25 to $1,000.
• The 77-unit Morton’s steakhouse chain is offering a $50 reward card for the purchase of $300 in gift cards and a $100 reward card for buying $500 in gift cards. The deal is available through Dec. 31.
• Marie Callender’s is offering a bonus $5 gift voucher when guests buy $25 or more in gift cards. The voucher is redeemable in January with a $20 minimum purchase.
• King’s Seafood Company restaurants — which include the King’s Fish House chain, as well as Water Grill, Ocean Avenue, and i Cugini in Southern California — is offering a $20 gift certificate for use in 2011 with every $100 in gift cards bought between Nov. 17 and Dec. 28. Also, guests who book a party of 15 or more at any King’s Fish House will receive a free $25 gift certificate for use next year. Guests who book a party of 15 or more at Water Grill, Ocean Avenue or i Cugini in December will receive a $50 gift certificate for next year.
• The Counter Custom Built Burgers chain is offering a $5 reward card with the purchase of every $25 gift card in December. The reward card is redeemable between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28.
• RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen, a one-off concept in Los Angeles owned by The Cheesecake Factory Inc., is offering a $10 reward card for every $50 in gift cards purchased through Nov. 26 and Dec. 24.
• Islands Restaurants, with 54 units in the Western U.S., is offering a $20 reward with the purchase of $100 worth of gift cards.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
