What to include on a restaurant gift certificate
- • Restaurant name, logo, and address
- • Dollar value of the dining credit
- • Expiry date (typically 12 months)
- • Unique alphanumeric code for tracking
- • Any restrictions (dine-in only, no alcohol, etc.)
- • "Not redeemable for cash" notice
- • Contact number or website for reservations
- • Signature line from the owner or manager
When restaurants use gift certificates
- • Holiday gift sets — sell alongside wine and branded merchandise
- • Customer apology / service recovery credits
- • Silent auction and fundraiser donations
- • Employee dining perks and team recognition
- • Loyalty rewards for repeat guests
- • Birthday and anniversary promotions
- • Catering inquiry follow-up offers
- • Influencer and media gifting
Need professionally printed restaurant gift certificates?
Your PDF prints on standard 80 lb cardstock at home or at any print shop. For quantities of 25 or more — printed on specialty card stock with your logo in full color — email us for a quote.
Request a print quote →Frequently asked questions
What should a restaurant gift certificate include?
A restaurant gift certificate should clearly show: the restaurant name and logo, the dollar value of the credit, an expiry date, a unique redemption code (so you can track it), and any restrictions such as 'dine-in only' or 'not valid on holidays.' A signature line is optional but adds a personal touch.
How do I track restaurant gift certificate redemptions?
The simplest approach for small restaurants is a printed or digital log: one row per certificate code, with columns for issued date, face value, and redeemed date. Your POS system may also have a gift certificate or store credit feature that handles this automatically.
Can I set an expiry date on a restaurant gift certificate?
Yes — and you should. Most states allow gift certificates to expire if the expiry date is clearly printed on the certificate. Common practice is 12 months from the date of purchase. Check your local regulations; some states (like California) prohibit expiry on gift cards sold for cash.
What size should a restaurant gift certificate be?
Standard restaurant gift certificates are typically landscape 8.5"×5.5" (half-letter) or landscape 11"×8.5" (full letter). Our templates use a landscape letter format that prints on any home or office printer and can be trimmed or folded.
Can I sell restaurant gift certificates online?
Our templates produce a printable PDF — perfect for in-person or email delivery. For selling gift certificates through your website with payment processing, you would need a dedicated POS or e-commerce plugin in addition to this template.
Looking for other restaurant printables?