Outback Steakhouse Debuts Curbside Gift Card Concierge

Outback Steakhouse has rolled out a new “curbside concierge” option for holiday gift card shopping, according to a Monday (Nov. 30) announcement.

The service, which the steakhouse restaurant chain describes as “simple, safe, and convenient,” will be provided between Nov. 30 and Dec. 24.

Customers call ahead or go to their nearby restaurant and drive into a set gift card drive-up parking spot with the service. After that time, a member of the restaurant team will then go to their vehicle to finish the gift card purchase.

“Outback Steakhouse created Curbside Take-Away in early 1990s and now we’ve applied that concept to gift cards just in time for the holidays,” Outback Chief Marketing Officer Danielle Vona said in the announcement. “Our goal is to create a ‘no worries’ experience this holiday shopping season, whether you’re out and about or staying cozy inside.”

The company said that gift cards can be purchased in “any denomination” and can be used at more than 700 spots in the United States.

Customers who purchase $50 in gift cards up to Dec. 31 will get a $10 bonus card for use in 2021 between Jan. 1 and Feb. 7.

As previously noted in this space, gift cards are winning the season when consumers go online.

When asked if they would buy gift cards as part of their eCommerce shopping for the holidays, PYMNTS data shows that 29.6 percent of respondents to a consumer survey were very or extremely likely to do so.

Nearly the same number indicated that they were “somewhat likely” to buy a gift card. Approximately 41 percent said they were only a bit likely or not at all likely to buy gift cards.

Gen Xers and bridge millennials led the way, with 34.7 and 35.7 percent likelihood to buy gift cards, respectively.

The International Council of Shopping Centers says that 85 percent of consumers foresee shopping in the period starting Thanksgiving and concluding Cyber Monday.