New England Restaurants band together and create Local Rewards Card

... Local eateries contain so much history and character — it would be a shame to see them go out of business in favor of cookie-cutter chains that use their deep pockets to advertise to the masses and offer bland entrées fifty cents per plate cheaper. Many of the major national chains have opened stores throughout the region, but seven years ago local restaurant owners and consumers alike decided that it was time to take a stand. They had to defend a major part of what makes this area of the country so unique.

The creation of the Favorite Independent Restaurant Association (FIRA) marked a change in the tides. Finally there was a way to reward consumers for enjoying the "local flavor". Introducing the FIRA Local Rewards Card, a way in which the FIRA member restaurants can say thank you for your visiting any of these fine restaurants. For every $100 you spend, $10 is put back on your card as your reward for eating someplace you love. You can use your rewards dollars at any of our participating restaurants.

Now for the really great news — not only can your FIRA card be used for constant rewards, but they can be used as gift cards as well. That's right, you can order a FIRA gift card in any denomination. Just imagine being able to give someone the opportunity to dine at 40 different restaurants this holiday season. Not only that, but when the gift dollars are gone, the very same card can be used to accumulate rewards points just like any other card. It's the gift that keeps on giving!

[full article here]