15 Restaurants Offering Gift Card Freebies for the Holidays

What's not to love about free restaurant discounts with the purchase of a gift card? Here's where to find those freebies this year.

Karla Bowsher • December 7, 2015

You can save significant dough when eating out any time of year with the right tips, but it’s especially easy during the holiday season.

That’s because fancy, casual and fast-food restaurants all offer free food and discounts to encourage gift givers to buy gift cards between now and the end of the year.

For example, if you purchase $50 in gift cards from Ruby Tuesday’s this month, you’ll score a free bonus card that’s good for $15 off a future visit.

So whether you buy the gift card for yourself or someone else, here is everything you need to know about the freebies that 15 regional and national chains are offering.

1. Bakers Square Restaurant & Bakery

If you buy: $25 gift card (must be purchased online)
You get a free: $5 bonus card valid Jan. 1 through March 20
Offer expires: Unspecified
For more info: bakerssquare.com/giftcards

2. California Pizza Kitchen

If you buy: $50 in gift cards
You get a free: $10 promotional card valid Jan. 11 through Feb. 28
Offer expires: Dec. 29
For more info: cpkstore.wgiftcard.com/chrome/cpk

3. Cheesecake Factory

If you buy: $25 gift card
You get a free: eSlice of Joy Card redeemable for one slice of cheesecake or layer cake valid Jan. 1 through March 31
Offer expires: Dec. 31
For more info: thecheesecakefactory.cashstar.com/gift-card/buy

4. Del Taco

If you buy: $30 in gift cards, or $100 in gift cards
You get a free: Coupon for one small-size combo meal, or coupons for four small-size combo meals, respectively, both valid through Feb. 29
Offer expires: Jan. 1
For more info: deltacogiftcards.com

5. IHOP

If you buy: $25 gift card
You get a free: $5 coupon valid through Jan. 31
Offer expires: Jan. 3
For more info: ihop.com

6. Olive Garden

If you buy: $50 in gift cards
You get a free: $10 bonus offer valid Jan. 4 through March 31
Offer expires: Jan. 3
For more info: olivegarden.com/gift-cards

7. Outback Steakhouse

If you buy: $50 in gift cards
You get a free: $10 bonus card valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 10
Offer expires: Dec. 31
For more info: outback.com/gift-cards

8. Papa John’s

If you buy: $25 e-gift card
You get a free: One-topping large pizza with online promo code valid through Jan. 24
Offer expires: Dec. 27
For more info: papajohns.cashstar.com/gift-card/buy

9. Pei Wei Asian Diner

If you buy: $25 in gift cards
You get a free: $5 bonus card valid Jan. 4 through Feb. 28
Offer expires: Jan. 3
For more info: peiwei.com/giftcards

10. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

If you buy: $100 in gift cards
You get a free: $20 bonus card valid Jan. 1 through March 31
Offer expires: Dec. 31
For more info: pfchangs.com/giftcards

11. Romano’s Macaroni Grill

If you buy: $25 gift card
You get a free: $5 grazie gift bonus coupon valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 10
Offer expires: Dec. 31
For more info: macaronigrill.com

12. Ruby Tuesday

If you buy: $50 in gift cards, or $25 in gift cards
You get a free: $15 bonus card, or $5 bonus card, respectively, both valid Jan. 2 through March 1
Offer expires: Dec. 31
For more info: rubytuesday.com/gift-cards

13. Souper Salad

If you buy: $25 in gift cards
You get a free: $5 gift card
Offer expires: Dec. 28
For more info: soupersalad.com/gift-cards

14. Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes

If you buy: $50 in gift cards
You get a free: Meal pass valid on your next visit (passes do not expire)
Offer expires: Dec. 31
For more info: souplantation.com/giftcards_ext/default.aspx

T.G.I. Friday’s

If you buy: $25 in e-gift cards
You get a free: $5 Bonus Bite card valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 29
Offer expires: Unspecified
For more info: tgifridays.com/giftcards

Which restaurant holiday offers will you be taking advantage of this year? Tell us in our Forums. It’s a place where you can swap questions and answers on money-related matters, life hacks and ingenious ways to save.

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