Expect a Big Holiday Season for Restaurant Gift Cards

It might be time to start pushing restaurant gift cards for the holidays in a more significant way. New research from branded payments provider Blackhawk Network shows that shipping delays and supply chain issues will likely lead to increased interest in gift cards—particularly ones for restaurants and big box stores. “Dining and multi-brand gift cards will top shopping lists this year,” Blackhawk said in a press release. “The most popular gift card categories this holiday season will be dining/restaurant, multi-brand gift cards and grocery and mass merchant.”

                Ways to market gift cards:

• Table tents/menu inserts/signs/placemats/website
• Direct mail postcards to loyalty club members and cold list in 3-mile radius
• Flyers with QR code in ToGo/Delivery orders
• Emails/letters to loyalty club members
• Partner with local businesses for a night out
• Incentivize employees to sell gift cards with prizes