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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