Gift Cards
Gift cards drive new customers, increase spending, and provide cash flow upfront. Modern POS systems make gift cards easy to sell and redeem.
Why It Matters
- •Acquire new customers
- •Cash received before service
- •Recipients often spend more than card value
- •Holiday and occasion revenue boost
- •Breakage (unredeemed value) is profit
Key Capabilities
Physical Cards
Branded plastic gift cards
Digital/eGift Cards
Send via email or text
Balance Check
Look up remaining balance
Partial Redemption
Use portion of card value
Reload
Add value to existing cards
Reporting
Track sales and liability
Provider Comparison
Excellent gift cards. Physical and digital. eGift cards are free to send. Good balance tracking.
Limitations: Physical cards cost extra
Restaurant gift cards with Toast branding or custom. Digital and physical options.
Limitations: Custom cards have minimum orders
Built-in gift cards across online and POS. Great for omnichannel retail.
Limitations: Features vary by plan
Gift cards included. Physical and digital options for retail.
Limitations: Setup required
Gift card apps available. Various options in marketplace.
Limitations: Not natively built-in
Common Questions
Physical or digital gift cards?
Both if possible. Physical cards sell well at checkout and during holidays. Digital cards are convenient for last-minute gifting and cost nothing to 'produce'.
What about gift card liability?
Sold gift cards are liabilities until redeemed. Track balances carefully for accounting. Unredeemed portions (breakage) eventually become revenue—timing depends on local laws.
Best For
- ✓Restaurants
- ✓Retail stores
- ✓Spas & salons
- ✓Any customer-facing business