I LOVE using gift cards (or Pay with iBotta) or my Delta AMEX (lots of miles) for shops. I have to make sure that they allow gift cards. I usually buy the gift cards at Kroger when they are running a 4 X the fuel points for buying cards. I can get up to $1 off per gallon per fill up. And if I use my AMEX to pay, I'm getting airline miles.
Yup, I got stuck with a couple of Buffalo Wild Wings cards, but I just used them the next time I was traveling. Five Guys allows cards and so do several of my local restaurants. I think that it helps them not identify you. At least they can't put "SHOPPER" linked to your credit card number. :-)