Restaurant Gift Card Deals 2026
Buy a restaurant gift card between November and New Year's Eve and most chains add a bonus card for you — 26 of the 70 below gave $10 with every $50. These are the 2025 holiday offers, best bonus first. Chains launch the new season's bonuses from late October to mid-November and seldom change the terms much; we update each row as its 2026 offer goes live.
Biggest gift card bonuses
| Outback Steakhouse | $20 with $50 |
|---|---|
| Carrabba's Italian Grill | $20 with $50 |
| Bertucci's | $20 with $50 |
| BRIO Italian Grille | $20 with $50 |
| The Cheesecake Factory | $15 with $50 |
| Baja Fresh | $15 with $50 |
How to Get the Most From Gift Card Bonuses
- Buy where you will eat anyway: a $10 bonus on a $50 card is 20% off your next meals, but only if you go back before it expires.
- Note the bonus dates. Most bonus cards work from January 1 to February or March, not on the day you buy.
- Check the channel. Several offers are online only, or only on physical cards, and some exclude e-gift cards.
- Split big purchases. Where the bonus is per $50, two $50 cards earn the same as one $100 card — and are easier to give.
- Pair the card with the chain's cheapest meals: see value menus compared and family meal deals.
Restaurant Gift Card Deals 2026 — FAQ
Which restaurants have the best gift card deals in 2026?
By bonus value, Outback Steakhouse ($20 with $50), Carrabba's Italian Grill ($20 with $50), Bertucci's ($20 with $50), BRIO Italian Grille ($20 with $50), The Cheesecake Factory ($15 with $50) and Baja Fresh ($15 with $50) gave the most in the 2025 holiday season. The most common offer was a $10 bonus card with $50 in gift cards, at Panera Bread, Applebee's, Chili's, Golden Corral, First Watch, Portillo's, Red Robin, El Pollo Loco and others.
When do restaurant gift card bonus deals start?
Most begin in early November and run to December 31. In 2025, Logan's Roadhouse started on Oct 27 and Applebee's started on Oct 30. A few, such as Applebee's, Golden Corral and IHOP, kept selling into the first days of January.
Can I use the bonus card right away?
Usually not. Most bonus cards are good from January 1 to the end of February or March, so they reward a return visit after the holidays. Portillo's, Penn Station East Coast Subs and McAlister's Deli let you use the bonus before the new year.
Is a bonus card the same as a gift card?
No. A bonus card is a promotion: it expires, cannot be reloaded or exchanged for cash, usually cannot be combined with other offers, and some exclude Valentine's Day. The gift card you paid for has none of those limits.
Does The Cheesecake Factory have a gift card deal?
It did last holiday season. In 2025: Buy $50, get $15 (30% bonus). Buy by Dec 31, 2025 · bonus good Jan 1 – Feb 28, 2026 · Online. The Cheesecake Factory had not launched a 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; most chains start in November.
Does Panera Bread have a gift card deal?
It did last holiday season. In 2025: Buy $50, get $10 (20% bonus). Buy by Dec 31, 2025 · bonus good Jan 1 – Jan 31, 2026 · Online. Panera Bread had not launched a 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; most chains start in November.
Does Applebee's have a gift card deal?
It did last holiday season. In 2025: Buy $50, get $10 (20% bonus). Buy Oct 30, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 · bonus good through Mar 2, 2026. Applebee's had not launched a 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; most chains start in November.
Does Texas Roadhouse have a gift card deal?
It did last holiday season. In 2025: Buy $30, get $5 (17% bonus). Buy by Dec 30, 2025 · Online. Texas Roadhouse had not launched a 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; most chains start in November.
Does Outback Steakhouse have a gift card deal?
It did last holiday season. In 2025: Buy $50, get $20 (40% bonus). Two $10 bonus cards. Buy by Dec 29, 2025 · bonus good Jan 1 – Feb 8, 2026. Outback Steakhouse had not launched a 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; most chains start in November.
Does Chili's have a gift card deal?
It did last holiday season. In 2025: Buy $50, get $10 (20% bonus). Buy by Dec 31, 2025 · bonus good Jan 1 – Feb 13, 2026. Chili's had not launched a 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; most chains start in November.
Does Golden Corral have a gift card deal?
It did last holiday season. In 2025: Buy $50, get $10 (20% bonus). Buy by Jan 4, 2026 · bonus good Jan 5 – Feb 12, 2026 · Online. Golden Corral had not launched a 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; most chains start in November.
Does IHOP have a gift card deal?
It did last holiday season. In 2025: Buy $25, get $5 (20% bonus). Buy by Jan 4, 2026 · bonus good through Feb 24, 2026 · Online. IHOP had not launched a 2026 offer as of October 18, 2026; most chains start in November.