Sherman restaurant taking gift cards - expired or not

SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) -- March is truly madness at all 67 Applebee's locations in Texas with their new promotion this month involving the use of gift cards.

"It is crazy, but we are reaching out in the community," Applebee's General Manager Linda Derrick said. "We're offering, basically to honor any gift card, any coupon from any competitor, any brand, any retailer, any restaurant. Even if it's expired, we'll take it."

Applebee's wanted to use this promotion to helps its customers with not only tax season, but to find another way to serve their local communities.

Employees have seen a positive reaction from their customers, even some that are in disbelief about it.

"Well I think a lot of people are really surprised and I think they really don't believe it, you know," Derrick said. "Like the person that came in with the gas card, they were like, "Are you sure?" and said sure so I mean, we're taking it all. Bring it in."

Other than gas cards, the Sherman location has been given Target and Jack in the Box cards.

"It's a nice promotion," customer George Rowland said. "I think a lot of customers probably will appreciate it."

"Well I think it's a great idea," customer Lander Bethel. "I just found out about it. It not just sounds like a great marketing thing, but a great way to get customers to come in and try their menu and see what great food they have."

The restaurant hopes it will bring in more business

"I think it's positive for the restaurant and for the people," Rowland said. "It saves some people money and hopefully builds some more customer base for the restaurant."

"Really that's a part of what we were hoping to do is to increase our traffic, but mainly what we're hoping to do is to just get some guests in here and wow them and show them what we are about, make them comfortable, and hopefully make them fans of Applebee's forever," Derrick said.

This deal will be going on for the rest of the month so customers still have time to take advantage of the deal.