These Restaurant Gift Cards Give You Something for the Holidays, Too – CNET [CNET]

From The Cheesecake Factory to Panera Bread, these restaurants make sure gift-givers also receive a little something.

It can be challenging to find just the right present for friends and family — not to mention coworkers, teachers or other professionals you may rely on — especially if you’re not entirely sure what they’d like.

Restaurant gift cards are a great option for any number of recipients. And many restaurant chains are sweetening the pot by giving you freebies or a bonus card with every gift card purchase. 
If you need a gift for someone who’s hard to shop for — and wouldn’t mind a bonus for yourself — check out our list of restaurant gift cards below.

For more on holiday shopping, get the lowdown on great gifts and gadgets under $30, learn how to avoid holiday shopping scams and find the best credit cards for big-ticket gifts.

Applebee’s

Through the end of 2023, get a free $10 Applebee’s gift card with the purchase of a $50 gift card.

Benihana

Spend $50 in gift cards at Benihana and get a $10 promo card for yourself. If you spend $200 in gift cards, you’ll get $60 to spend on yourself at the Japanese steakhouse chain.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

Through New Year’s Day, get a $10 bonus card when you purchase a $50 gift card online at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Spend $100 and get a $20 bonus card, plus a VIP card that gets you 20% off any purchase. 

Black Angus Steakhouse

Spend $50 on gift cards at Black Angus through Dec. 31 and get $10 in Bonus Bucks. 

Bonefish Grill

Receive a $10 e-bonus card from Bonefish Grill with every $50 gift card bought through Dec. 31.

Buca di Beppo

Through New Year’s Eve, buy a $50 Buca di Beppo gift card and get two $10 reward cards valid from Jan. 1 to Feb. 29, 2024.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Through Dec. 31, spend $25 on Buffalo Wild Wings gift cards and get a $5 coupon valid on food and non-alcoholic beverages from Jan. 1 to Feb. 29, 2024.

California Pizza Kitchen

Spend $100 on gift cards at California Pizza Kitchen and get a bonus $20 gift card.

Carvel

Earn a $5 Carvel Reward Card with the purchase of at least $25 in Carvel gift cards through Jan. 1.

The Cheesecake Factory

Buy a $50 gift card at The Cheesecake Factory by Dec. 31 and get a $15 bonus eCard for yourself. Bonus eCards must be redeemed between Jan. 1 and Feb. 29, 2024. 

Chili’s

Through Dec. 31, get a bonus $10 e-card when you spend at least $50 on Chili’s gift cards.

Cold Stone Creamery

Spend $50 on Cold Stone Creamery gift card before New Year’s Eve and get a $15 bonus e-card for yourself.

Denny’s

With every $25 gift card purchase at Denny’s, get a free $5 card.

First Watch

This holiday season, spend $50 on First Watch e-gift cards and get $10 back in Bonus Bucks. Fun fact: The name of this Florida-based breakfast chain references the first shift aboard a ship, since First Watch restaurants are open only from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

Through Dec. 31, get a $10 Grimaldi’s gift card when you buy a $50 gift card or get a $20 card when you buy a $100 gift card. Don’t forget about it, though — the bonus card expires on Jan 31, 2024.

IHOP

Through Jan. 7, 2024, when you spend $25 in gift cards at IHOP, you get a $5 reward card to spend by Feb. 25, 2024.  

Jamba

Buy $25 in Jamba gift cards before Christmas Day and get a free $5 gift card.

Maggiano’s

Spend $100 on Maggiano’s gift cards and get a $20 bonus card through Dec. 31.

McAlister’s Deli 

Get $5 in eRewards for every $25 in McAlister’s gift cards purchased online or in store through Dec. 31.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

For every $30 spent on a Moe’s gift card through Dec. 31, you’ll receive two $5 Moe Rewards codes that can be redeemed Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2024.

Noodles & Company

Through Dec. 31, get a $5 bonus with the purchase of a $25 Noodles & Company gift card. The bonus expires Jan. 13, 2024.

The Old Spaghetti Factory

Through Dec. 24, receive a $10 bonus certificate for every $50 gift card purchase made at The Old Spaghetti Factory. The bonus can be spent between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2023.

Outback Steakhouse

Get a free $10 bonus gift card when you spend at least $50 in Outback Steakhouse gift cards. The bonus cards are valid from Jan. 1 to Feb. 11, 2024.

Panera Bread

Through Dec. 31, Panera customers get a $10 bonus card for every $50 in gift cards purchased online or in a cafe.

Peter Piper Pizza

Spend $75 on Peter Piper Pizza gift cards and get a $15 bonus card for yourself. If you buy a $100 card, the bonus goes up to $20, and if you buy $125, the bonus goes up to $25.

Potbelly

Get $5 off a $25 Potbelly eGift Card.

Red Lobster

Through Jan. 7, 2024, when you buy $50 worth of Red Lobster gift cards, you get two coupons for $10 off.

Red Robin

For every $25 you spend on Red Robin holiday gift cards, you get $5 Bonus Bucks for yourself. 

Restaurant.com

A $100 Restaurant.com eGift Card is just $40 and includes dining discounts ranging from $5 to $100 off at thousands of local restaurants nationwide. The discounts don’t expire.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Through Jan. 1, 2024, receive a 10% digital bonus when you purchase $300 in Ruth’s Chris Steak House gift cards online.

Schlotzsky’s 

Through Jan. 8, 2024, every $25 spent on a Schlotzsky’s gift card gets you a $5 eReward. 

Shake Shack

Shake Shack is offering $5 back on every $25 you spend on a gift card. 

Smashburger

Through Jan. 2, 2024, for every $25 in gift cards purchased at Smashburger, you receive $5 Smash Cash in return. Smash Cash rebates can be redeemed between Jan. 3 and Feb. 29, 2024. 

Subway

Get a free 6-inch sub with every $25 you spend on Subway gift cards.

TGI Fridays

Receive $20 in Bonus Bites when you spend $50 on TGI Fridays gift cards. Bonus Bites are valid until Feb. 29, 2024.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.