Holiday Gift Cards for Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Bakeries and Every Foodservice Brand in the US and Canada

Gift cards are the most-wanted holiday gift in the US and a fast-growing category in Canada. For any foodservice business looking to grow, from quick-service and full-service restaurants to coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops, they deliver three things at once: cash up front, bigger checks when cards are redeemed and new guests who might never have walked in otherwise.

The brands that win the season are the ones that make gift cards easy to buy and easy to give. Spoonity helps foodservice brands of every format, from QSR and FSR chains to coffee shops, bakeries, ice cream parlors and any foodservice business that wants more sales, a higher average ticket and new customers, do exactly that, with digital and printed gift cards connected to their loyalty program.

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Why are gift cards a go-to holiday gift?

They solve the hardest part of holiday shopping: finding something that fits. A gift card for a favorite coffee shop, bakery, ice cream parlor or restaurant is a shared experience, works for any budget and can be sent in minutes, which makes it the classic last-minute gift. Companies also buy them in bulk to reward employees and clients at year-end.

The numbers

Gift cards top Americans’ 2026 holiday wish lists: 47% want to receive one (NRF).
Shoppers spend close to $29 billion on holiday gift cards every year, and restaurants are the #1 category, chosen by 30% of gift card buyers, with coffee shops close behind at 22% (NRF).
Canada’s gift card market is worth an estimated US$8.8 billion in 2026 and grows about 6% a year (Research and Markets).

What gift cards do for your business

More sales. Every card sold in December is revenue booked today, without depending on foot traffic. Holiday bonuses like “buy $50, get $10” raise the value of each purchase.
Higher checks. Guests rarely spend exactly the card’s value: 43% of coffee shop, 66% of fast-food and 81% of fast-casual cardholders spend more, about $20 extra on average (First Data).
New guests. A loyal fan pays for someone else to try your brand. 44% of recipients visit a business they wouldn’t have tried otherwise (First Data).
Better cash flow. The money comes in before you serve a single meal, and redemptions bring guests back in January, usually the slowest month. Some balances are never fully used, so plan for it and send reminders that bring guests back.

How to launch a holiday gift card program in 5 steps

Offer both formats: digital for online and corporate orders, printed for your counter.
Create a holiday offer, such as a bonus card on purchases over a set amount.
Promote it on social media, email, in-store signage and at checkout.
Pitch corporate packages to local businesses for employee and client gifts.
Connect redemptions to your loyalty program and send balance reminders in January.

How Spoonity helps you sell more gift cards

Digital and printed cards from one platform. Launch this season without building anything new.
Digital cards in minutes. Guests buy and send them by email or text, perfect for last-minute and corporate gifts.
Printed cards for your counter. Capture impulse buys at checkout.
Connected to your loyalty program. Every recipient can become a registered guest you can reach again.
Sales, balances and redemptions in one place. Plan cash flow and send reminders that bring guests back to spend their balance, and more.
Loyalty specialists on your side. Our team helps you design the holiday offer and the campaign.

Ready for the holidays? Talk to our team and launch your gift cards this season.

FAQ

Are gift cards worth it for foodservice businesses?

Yes. They bring in cash up front, guests usually spend more than the card value, and many recipients are first-time customers.

When should foodservice brands start selling holiday gift cards?

As early as possible in November. Sales peak from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Eve.

Digital or printed gift cards?

Both. Digital captures last-minute and corporate demand; printed drives in-store impulse buys. Spoonity offers both.

How do gift cards connect to a loyalty program?

When a recipient redeems a card, they can join the brand’s loyalty program, so the brand can reach them again with offers and rewards.

What happens to unused gift card balances?

Some balances are never fully redeemed. Rules vary by state and province, so check local regulation and use reminders to bring guests back to spend them.