How to Start a Food Truck Business
Learn how to start a food truck business by planning costs, permits, menus, equipment, locations, marketing, staffing, and efficient operations.
Jul 14, 2026
Learn how to start a food truck business by planning costs, permits, menus, equipment, locations, marketing, staffing, and efficient operations.
Jul 14, 2026
McDonald's taps seasoned leader Ugwechi Amadi as Chief Strategy Officer, bringing expertise from Nike and LIV Golf to spearhead the chain's forward-thinking NEXT strategy for restaurant owners and managers.
Jul 15, 2026
Discover how Fresh Kitchen's new operations and development leaders are poised to accelerate the brand’s growth and innovate in the fast-casual dining sector.
Jul 15, 2026
Explore leading restaurant equipment brands and learn how to choose reliable cooking, refrigeration, preparation, beverage, storage, and serving systems confidently.
Jul 14, 2026
Great Hill Partners takes a minority stake in Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming to accelerate franchise support, technology, and expansion.
Jul 14, 2026
Olive Garden brings back its $100 Pasta Pass for 13 weeks of unlimited pasta, soup or salad, and breadsticks; 10,000 passes, Aug 24 to Nov 22, dine-in only.
Jul 14, 2026
Resales accelerate amid boomer exits, tighter margins, and complex deals. Data gaps persist as brands formalize programs to keep units open.
Jul 14, 2026
Chipotle is launching its first Mexican location, redefining fast-casual strategy for restaurant leaders and offering key lessons for international growth and partnerships.
Jul 14, 2026
PizzaExpress will master franchise Houston TX Hot Chicken across the U.K. and Ireland, targeting 50 sites in three years with three openings in six months.
Jul 13, 2026
Wingstop posts 8.7% comp decline; leans on Club Wingstop loyalty, sports-heavy media, and smart kitchens to rebuild traffic. Investors eye July 29, 2026 results.
Jul 13, 2026
Explore the latest trends and data on restaurant gift card sales during Thanksgiving weekend 2024. Learn how consumer behaviors and spending patterns are shaping the dining industry.
Photo by Kira auf der Heide
Photo by Kira auf der Heide
The 2024 Thanksgiving weekend brought significant developments in restaurant gift card sales, with a notable increase in consumer spending and shifting trends in dining preferences. According to data from Paytronix, shoppers exhibited a 13.2% surge in dollars spent per card on Black Friday compared to previous years. Additionally, there was a remarkable 17.7% rise in total spending over the weekend, showcasing a growing inclination towards purchasing gift cards for dining experiences.
One of the standout observations from the 2024 holiday season was the renewed confidence consumers showed in in-person dining experiences. Paytronix reported a significant increase in spending on in-store restaurant gift cards, amounting to $7.8 million, surpassing the $7.3 million spent on digital card sales. This shift indicates a reversal of last year's trend and highlights a post-COVID resurgence in the preference for traditional dining settings.
Analysis of the gift card sales data revealed varying spending patterns between full-service restaurants (FSR) and quick-service restaurants (QSR). Consumers loaded an average of $66 on FSR cards, significantly higher than the $31 loaded on QSR cards. This discrepancy underscores the importance of understanding customer preferences and tailoring gift card offerings to align with different dining experiences.
Photo by Kira auf der Heide
The data suggested that brands strategically front-loaded their gift-card promotions leading up to the holiday weekend, aiming to capitalize on heightened shopping activity during Black Friday and the Thanksgiving weekend. By launching campaigns earlier, businesses were able to leverage consumer interest and drive higher sales volumes, demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive marketing strategies in maximizing revenue.
The 2024 holiday season showcased evolving consumer behaviors, with a notable 10% increase in overall spending and a 6% surge in the total number of cards sold compared to the previous year. Notably, Black Friday stood out as the peak day for gift card purchases, with an average load value of $57 per card, surpassing both the weekend and Cyber Monday averages. These trends reflect changing consumer preferences and the continued importance of gift cards in the digital era.
The insights from the 2024 Thanksgiving weekend gift card sales highlight the dynamic nature of consumer preferences and the resilience of in-person dining experiences. Businesses in the restaurant industry can leverage these trends to tailor their marketing strategies, enhance customer engagement, and drive sales. By understanding the nuanced patterns of consumer behavior and adapting to evolving trends, restaurants can position themselves for sustained growth and success in the competitive landscape.