The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), is alerting Hawaii consumers holding Outback Steakhouse gift certificates to take immediate action and seek refunds. This urgent consumer alert follows the permanent closure of all Outback Steakhouse locations in Hawaiʻi, rendering gift certificates unusable at these locations.
Bloomin’ Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, had previously announced the closure of 41 restaurants across the U.S. and internationally in late 2023. Following this announcement, the Outback Steakhouse restaurants in Hawai‘i Kai and Kīhei closed their doors. Subsequently, the remaining Hawaiʻi locations in Kapolei, Waipiʻo, and Kona also ceased operations abruptly on February 18, 2024. This unforeseen situation has left many consumers in Hawaii with Outback Restaurant Gift Certificates that they are now unable to redeem locally.
Executive Director of the OCP, Mana Moriarty, advises consumers to act swiftly to recover the value of their Outback restaurant gift certificates. “The key takeaway with gift cards is to use them promptly. When businesses close, especially without prior notice, recovering the balance on unused gift cards can become challenging or even impossible,” Moriarty stated. While there is currently no stated deadline to file a refund claim, the Office of Consumer Protection strongly encourages all affected consumers in Hawaiʻi to begin the refund process without delay to maximize their chances of a successful claim.
To initiate a refund for valid Outback Steakhouse gift certificates with verifiable balances, Hawaii residents should contact Bloomin’ Brands directly. The recommended method is to send an email to [email protected]. When contacting Bloomin’ Brands, consumers are required to provide clear images of both the front and back of their Outback restaurant gift certificates. Additionally, the email should include the gift certificate holder’s full name and complete mailing address to process the refund efficiently.
For added assistance and to ensure your request is properly tracked, consumers are also advised to include Pam Keay, an investigator at the Office of Consumer Protection, in their email correspondence with Bloomin’ Brands. Pam Keay can be reached at [email protected].
Consumers who may face difficulties in scanning and emailing their gift card images are encouraged to contact Investigator Pam Keay for guidance and support in submitting their refund request. She can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone at 808-586-5971. The Office of Consumer Protection is committed to assisting Hawaii consumers in navigating this process to recover the funds from their Outback restaurant gift certificates.
Consumers are reminded that prompt action is crucial when seeking refunds for gift certificates, especially in situations involving business closures. By initiating the refund process now, holders of Outback restaurant gift certificates in Hawaii can take proactive steps to protect their financial interests.
