Darden Restaurants, Inc. is home to some of America’s most beloved dining brands, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Yard House. Darden Gift Cards offer a convenient way to enjoy meals at these and other participating restaurants like Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s, and Bahama Breeze. These gift cards, branded as either “Darden gift cards” or with specific restaurant names, come with terms and conditions that are important for every user to understand. This article breaks down the complete terms and conditions for Darden gift cards, ensuring you have all the information you need for seamless usage. By purchasing, accepting, using, or redeeming a Darden gift card, you are agreeing to the terms outlined in this agreement. If you disagree with these terms, you should not purchase, accept, use, or redeem these gift cards.
It’s important to note that this agreement includes an arbitration agreement and a class action waiver. This means that any disputes will be resolved through individual arbitration, not through court proceedings or class action lawsuits.
Changes to This Agreement
Darden reserves the right to update these terms and conditions periodically. This includes the ability to add or remove restaurant brands where Darden gift cards can be used. Any changes to the agreement will be posted online at the official Darden website. It is recommended to review the terms and conditions available at https://darden.com/gift-cards/terms-and-conditions for the most current information. Staying informed about any changes will help ensure a smooth experience with your Darden gift cards.
Who is the Issuer and Obligor?
Darden SV, Inc. is the official issuer of Darden gift cards. This entity is responsible for managing the gift card program and ensuring its smooth operation. When you purchase a Darden gift card, you are entering into an agreement with Darden SV, Inc., making them the sole legal obligor to you regarding the card’s value and terms.
While Darden Restaurants, Inc. oversees the broader restaurant group, Darden SV, Inc. specifically handles the gift card program. It’s important to recognize that Darden Restaurants, Inc., along with its affiliates and related entities (excluding Darden SV, Inc.), holds no legal responsibility or liability for these gift cards. By using a Darden gift card, you acknowledge and release Darden Restaurants, Inc., and its related entities from any claims or liabilities associated with the card. However, Darden SV, Inc. retains the right to assign its obligations concerning the gift cards at any point, with the assignee then becoming the new issuer and sole legal obligor.
Purchasing Your Darden Gift Card
Darden gift cards are readily available for purchase through various channels. You can buy them directly at any participating Darden restaurant location, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s, and Bahama Breeze. Purchasing in person allows for immediate access to your gift card.
For online convenience, you can purchase gift cards through the official Darden website at https://darden.com/gift-cards. Alternatively, you can place an order over the phone by calling 800.642.7336. These online and phone options provide flexibility and ease of purchase, especially for eGift cards.
Darden gift cards are also sold at authorized retailers and distributors. However, it’s crucial to purchase your cards only from these authorized sources. Gift cards acquired from unauthorized sellers, resellers, or online auction sites are not valid and will not be honored. Protect yourself from fraud by ensuring you are buying from legitimate sources. Furthermore, there is a daily purchase limit of $10,000 for gift cards per person, per day.
Redeeming Your Darden Gift Card
Darden gift cards are incredibly versatile and can be redeemed at any participating Darden restaurant across their brand portfolio. This includes popular destinations like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s, and Bahama Breeze. Whether your card is branded specifically for one restaurant or generally as a “Darden gift card”, it holds value across these locations.
These gift cards are redeemable for all purchases within these restaurants, including food, beverages, merchandise, and services. However, Darden gift cards are not refundable or exchangeable and cannot be redeemed for cash, except where legally required. Some states have laws that allow for cash redemption of minimal remaining balances on gift cards. Gift cards also cannot be used to purchase another gift card or applied to previous purchases.
To redeem a Darden gift card, you must be at least 18 years old or have permission from a parent or guardian. It’s important to note that Darden gift cards are not debit or credit cards. For online “To Go” orders, a maximum of three (3) gift cards can be redeemed per transaction. Darden reserves the right to refuse to honor any gift card if there is a payment issue, such as a disputed credit card charge or a bounced check related to the gift card purchase.
Reloading the Value on Your Card
To add more value to your Darden gift card, reloading is a simple process. In the United States, you can reload your card at any participating restaurant location. Simply present your card to the cashier and specify the amount you wish to add.
Online reloading is also available through the Darden website at https://darden.com/reload. This provides a convenient way to manage your gift card balance from home. Alternatively, you can reload your card by calling 800.642.7336 and following the phone prompts.
There are certain limits to reloading. No more than $2,000 can be loaded onto a single Darden gift card in one day. Additionally, the total value held across all of your Darden gift cards, combined with any new gift cards purchased, cannot exceed $10,000 on any given day. Typically, there is a minimum reload amount of $5, but this amount and other limits may change without prior notice.
No Resale Policy
Darden gift cards are intended for personal use and gifting, and as such, they cannot be resold. This policy is in place to protect both consumers and Darden from potential fraud and unauthorized activities. Darden reserves the right to refuse to honor any gift card that has been resold, regardless of where it was initially purchased. Purchasing gift cards from unauthorized resellers carries risk, and it’s always best to obtain your Darden gift cards directly from official Darden sources or authorized retailers.
Business Use of Darden Gift Cards
Businesses looking to utilize Darden gift cards for purposes like customer acquisition or employee rewards should be aware of specific requirements and restrictions. Darden offers a dedicated business-to-business program designed for corporate gift card sales. Details about this program, including bulk purchasing options and specific terms for business use, can be found on the Darden corporate gift card website at https://darden.com/giftcardsales. This site provides information tailored to business needs and ensures compliance with Darden’s policies for commercial gift card use.
Understanding Darden eGift Cards
Darden eGift cards, also known as “eGifts,” offer a digital alternative to physical gift cards. They can be purchased and sent electronically via email or through select social media and messaging platforms, making them a convenient and quick gifting option.
When purchasing an eGift card, you can personalize it by choosing from various designs and selecting a dollar value within specified limits. Payment can be made using a credit card, debit card, or other accepted electronic payment methods. You also have the flexibility to schedule the delivery of your eGift. It can be sent on the same day, provided your payment is approved, or on a future date of your choosing. Your payment method will be charged at the time of purchase, regardless of the scheduled delivery date.
On the chosen delivery date, the recipient will receive an email notification that you have sent them a Darden eGift card. Recipients have several options for using their eGift. They can add it to their Darden account for easy access, transfer the balance to an existing physical Darden gift card, or print out the eGift and present it at a participating restaurant. eGift cards can also be registered for use with Darden mobile applications, enhancing their usability. You, as the purchaser, will receive an email confirmation once the recipient opens their eGift email, ensuring you know it has been received. Functionally, an eGift card operates just like a physical Darden gift card and is subject to the same terms and conditions. To purchase an eGift card, visit https://darden.com/gift-cards.
Checking Your Gift Card Balance
Keeping track of your Darden gift card balance is easy. You can check your balance online at any time by visiting https://darden.com/balance. This website provides real-time balance information, ensuring you always know your available funds. Alternatively, you can check your balance over the phone by calling 1-877-500-9706. Both methods offer quick and convenient ways to manage your Darden gift card balance.
Billing Errors and Corrections
Darden is committed to accuracy and will correct any balance discrepancies on your gift card if a clerical, billing, or accounting error is identified. If you believe there has been an error, it’s important to contact Darden with sufficient details about the transaction in question. Darden will thoroughly review your claim and inform you of their findings. If an error is confirmed, Darden will promptly correct it. If no error is found, they will provide a clear explanation of their findings. To ensure your claim can be reviewed, you must notify Darden within sixty (60) days of the date of the transaction in question. This timely notification is necessary for Darden to investigate and resolve any potential billing errors effectively.
Expiration and Deactivation Policies
Darden gift cards come with the benefit of having no expiration dates. This means your gift card retains its full value indefinitely, allowing you to use it at your convenience without any time constraints. Additionally, Darden does not impose any inactivity fees, maintenance fees, or service fees on their gift cards. The value on your card remains yours until it is fully redeemed at a participating Darden restaurant. This policy ensures that the full value you or the gift card recipient expects is always available.
Lost, Damaged, or Stolen Gift Cards and Unauthorized Use
Darden is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen gift cards. Unfortunately, if your Darden gift card is lost, damaged, or stolen, the value on the card cannot be recovered or replaced. Similarly, Darden is not liable for gift cards used without your authorization. It’s essential to treat your Darden gift cards like cash and keep them secure. Darden and its affiliates also reserve the right to refuse to honor any gift card if they suspect it was obtained fraudulently. Protecting your physical and eGift cards and purchasing them from authorized sources are crucial steps to avoid potential issues.
Questions and Customer Support
For any questions or concerns regarding Darden gift cards, Darden provides dedicated guest relations support. You can reach their guest relations department by calling 800.331.2729. This customer service line is available to assist with inquiries about gift card terms, usage, balance issues, or any other related questions. Darden aims to provide helpful and responsive customer support to ensure a positive gift card experience.
Privacy Statement
Darden values your privacy, and their privacy policy is an integral part of the gift card terms and conditions. It is highly recommended to review Darden’s Privacy Policy, available at https://darden.com/privacy-notice, to understand how Darden collects, uses, and protects your personal information. The Privacy Policy details how they manage customer data, your rights regarding your personal information, and how Darden communicates with you. Understanding their privacy practices is important for any Darden customer.
Limitation of Liability
Darden and its affiliates provide Darden gift cards without warranties, either express or implied. This includes disclaimers of warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Essentially, Darden does not guarantee that the gift cards will be error-free or function perfectly in every situation, although they strive to ensure they do. In the event that a Darden gift card is non-functional, your sole remedy, and Darden’s sole liability, is limited to the replacement of the malfunctioning gift card with a new one of equivalent value.
It’s important to note that some state laws may not allow limitations on implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. If these laws apply to you, some of the disclaimers, exclusions, or limitations mentioned above may not be applicable in your specific case. This section outlines the legal boundaries of Darden’s responsibility related to the gift cards.
Governing Law
The terms and conditions of Darden gift cards are governed by the laws of the State of Florida. This means that any legal matters, disputes, or claims arising from the gift card agreement or your use of Darden gift cards will be subject to Florida law, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Florida law serves as the substantive legal framework for interpreting and enforcing this agreement.
Severance Clause
If any part of the Darden gift card agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable by a court of law, the severance clause ensures that the rest of the agreement remains in effect. In such a case, the invalid provision will be modified or restricted to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal, and enforceable. If the provision cannot be modified in this way, it will be removed from the agreement. However, this removal will not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of the remaining provisions, ensuring the rest of the agreement continues to be fully enforced.
Arbitration Agreement
The arbitration section of the Darden gift card terms is crucial and affects your legal rights. It stipulates that most disputes related to your Darden gift card and your relationship with Darden will be resolved through binding arbitration instead of court trials. Arbitration is a more informal dispute resolution process using a neutral arbitrator instead of a judge or jury. It generally has limited discovery and is subject to very limited court review. This arbitration provision is intended to broadly cover all disputes or claims related to your Darden gift card experience.
Any dispute or claim arising from the gift card agreement, use of the card, or your relationship with Darden, including its parent companies, subsidiaries, or affiliates, will be resolved through binding arbitration. This includes statutory claims, common law claims, and claims based on contract, tort, fraud, or other legal theories. However, there are exceptions. Either you or Darden can bring claims in small claims court if the claims qualify and remain in small claims court on an individual, non-class basis. You can also transfer a claim initiated in arbitration to small claims court if it qualifies.
Before initiating arbitration, you must first send a written description of your claim to Darden’s guest relations department at [email protected] to allow Darden an opportunity to resolve the issue informally. Both you and Darden agree to negotiate in good faith to resolve the claim. If the dispute is not resolved within 60 days, you may then proceed with arbitration.
The arbitration process will be conducted according to the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), including the Consumer Arbitration Rules and Supplementary Rules for Mass Arbitration, as applicable, and as modified by this Darden gift card agreement. AAA rules and information about arbitration, including fees, are available at www.adr.org. For arbitrations under the AAA Mass Arbitration Supplementary Rules, a Limited Service Neutral will oversee procedural issues, and specific procedures apply based on the value of the claim, such as document hearings and affidavit testimony. These Supplementary Rules apply when there are 10 or more similar arbitration demands filed against Darden or when representation is coordinated across cases.
The arbitrator has the authority to decide all issues, except for issues related to arbitrability, the scope or enforceability of this arbitration agreement, which are decided by a court. This agreement is governed by the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act and federal arbitration law, not state law, as it involves interstate commerce.
Arbitration hearings will be held in a reasonably convenient location in your state of residence or another mutually agreed location. The arbitrator will apply applicable law and equity principles, honor legal privileges, and can award individual relief available in court, including injunctive or declaratory relief necessary to satisfy your individual claim. The arbitrator must follow and enforce this agreement as a court would. Arbitration proceedings are confidential. Neither party can disclose the existence, content, or results of arbitration, except as legally required or for award enforcement. Judgment on the arbitration award can be entered in any court with jurisdiction.
Regarding arbitration costs, for claims not under the Mass Arbitration Supplementary Rules, Darden will pay all filing, administration, and arbitrator fees, except for your initial $200 filing fee. For claims under $1,000, Darden will reimburse your filing fee within 30 days of a written request. Fees and costs for cases under the Mass Arbitration Supplementary Rules are governed by those rules. Each party is responsible for their own attorney fees, expert fees, and other presentation costs, unless otherwise provided by law or contract.
Class Action Waiver and Jury Waiver: Both you and Darden agree to resolve disputes individually, not as part of any class, consolidated, or representative action, whether in arbitration or court. The arbitrator can only award relief to the individual party seeking it and only to the extent necessary to address their individual claim. If a claim proceeds in court instead of arbitration for any reason, both you and Darden waive any right to a jury trial.
