Restaurant Technology Trends in 2026
Explore restaurant technology trends in 2026, including AI, automation, digital ordering, workforce tools, connected kitchens, personalization, and profitability strategies today.
Aug 28, 2026
Explore restaurant technology trends in 2026, including AI, automation, digital ordering, workforce tools, connected kitchens, personalization, and profitability strategies today.
Aug 28, 2026
Learn the startup costs of opening an ice cream shop, including rent, equipment, renovations, permits, inventory, labor, marketing, and reserves.
Aug 28, 2026
A restaurant P&L statement reveals sales, expenses, and profits, helping owners manage costs, improve margins, and plan finances more effectively.
Aug 26, 2026
Learn practical ways to reduce labour costs through smarter scheduling, forecasting, productivity, cross-training, automation, overtime control, and performance monitoring strategies.
Aug 26, 2026
RaceTrac has appointed Jill Pemberton as chief financial officer, succeeding Karla Ahlert, who moves into the newly created role of chief administrative officer.
Aug 26, 2026
A payroll advance policy helps restaurant owners define eligibility, limits, repayment, documentation, approval procedures, and compliance requirements for employee advances.
Aug 24, 2026
Anna Faktorovich, a seasoned marketing executive, has been named Chief Marketing Officer at Scooter’s Coffee, bringing decades of multi-brand experience to fuel the franchise’s next growth stage.
Aug 25, 2026
Create a practical restaurant marketing plan by setting goals, targeting customers, choosing channels, budgeting wisely, scheduling campaigns, and measuring results.
Aug 24, 2026
Levain Bakery appoints Lorna Sommerville and Taya Stenson as co-CEOs, blending operational and marketing expertise to power national expansion and innovation while staying rooted in its brand values.
Aug 25, 2026
Blaze Pizza welcomes Tracy Stockard as Chief Marketing Officer, bringing decades of brand and franchise experience to drive strategic growth and guest engagement.
Aug 25, 2026
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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.