Can I Use a Darden Gift Card at Red Lobster?

Red Lobster and Darden Restaurants have a long, intertwined history. Red Lobster was acquired by General Mills in 1970, becoming the first chain restaurant company under their umbrella. In 1995, Darden Restaurants was spun off from General Mills as an independent public company, taking Red Lobster with it. For over two decades, Darden operated Red Lobster alongside other chains like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. However, in 2014 Darden sold Red Lobster in a $2.1 billion deal to private equity firm Golden Gate Capital.

This separation between Darden and Red Lobster has led to some confusion around whether Darden gift cards can still be used at Red Lobster locations Let’s take a detailed look at how Darden and Red Lobster gift cards work today

Can I Use My Darden Gift Card at Red Lobster?

The short answer is no – Darden gift cards are no longer accepted at Red Lobster restaurants.

When Red Lobster was sold to Golden Gate Capital in 2014, it became completely independent from Darden. As a result, Darden and Red Lobster now operate separate gift card programs.

Any Darden gift cards purchased can only be used at Darden-owned restaurant chains, which include

• Olive Garden
• LongHorn Steakhouse
• Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
• Yard House
• The Capital Grille
• Seasons 52
• Bahama Breeze
• Eddie V’s

Darden gift cards cannot be used to pay at any Red Lobster locations. You’ll need a Red Lobster-specific gift card for that.

The History Between Darden and Red Lobster

To understand the current gift card policies, it helps to know the history between the two companies:

• 1968 – Red Lobster founded in Lakeland, FL
• 1970 – General Mills acquires Red Lobster
• 1995 – Darden Restaurants spun off from General Mills, taking Red Lobster
• 2004 – Darden moves HQ to Orlando, FL
• 2014 – Darden sells Red Lobster to Golden Gate Capital
• 2014 – Red Lobster and Darden gift cards become separate

During the decades that Red Lobster was part of Darden, gift cards were valid across all the restaurant chains. The 2014 sale necessitated dividing up the gift card program.

Checking Your Darden Gift Card Balance

If you have an older Darden gift card from before Red Lobster was sold in 2014, any remaining balance can still only be used at Darden restaurants. You can check your balance online or by calling the number on the back of the card.

Darden gift cards do not have an expiration date or any fees. So even decades-old Darden gift cards with a balance can be used – just not at Red Lobster.

Buying New Darden vs Red Lobster Gift Cards

These days, buying gift cards for the two chains is a separate process:

• Darden Restaurants gift cards can be purchased online, at Darden restaurants, or select retailers. Use them at Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and other Darden chains.

• Red Lobster gift cards are sold online, at Red Lobster locations, and certain retailers. Redeemable only at Red Lobster restaurants.

Be sure to double check which brand of gift card you are purchasing before you buy.

Corporate Gift Card Programs

Both Darden and Red Lobster offer corporate gift card programs for bulk orders and customization. These are also completely separate:

• Darden corporate gift cards can be customized and bulk ordered but are not valid at Red Lobster.

• Red Lobster corporate gift cards may be customized for Red Lobster only.

For businesses planning a large gift card order, be sure to work with the appropriate restaurant brand’s corporate gift card team.

Making Sense of the Darden-Red Lobster Split

The shared history between Darden Restaurants and Red Lobster understandably created confusion about gift card policies after the split. But it’s now been nearly a decade since Red Lobster became an independent chain.

While you can’t use Darden cards at Red Lobster, both brands offer great ways to give the gift of indulgent seafood dinners through their respective gift card programs. The sale just means keeping straight which gift cards go with which company.

So don’t make an embarrassing mistake – double check whether you need a Darden or Red Lobster card before purchasing or redeeming. With this handy guide, you’ll now know the difference and can gift and indulge in buttery crab legs and biscuits smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Darden and Red Lobster Gift Cards

Still have questions about using Darden and Red Lobster gift cards? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:

Can I convert my Darden card balance to a Red Lobster card?

No, you cannot transfer balances between the two brands’ gift cards. Use your Darden card at Darden chains only.

Where can I buy Red Lobster gift cards?

Red Lobster gift cards are sold at Red Lobster locations, online at RedLobster.com, and certain retailers.

Do the gift cards ever expire?

Neither Darden nor Red Lobster gift cards expire. But only use Darden cards at Darden restaurants, and Red Lobster cards at Red Lobster.

Can I reload a Darden card at Red Lobster?

No, Darden gift cards cannot be reloaded except at Darden restaurants and websites.

Can I use a Darden card from 2014 at Red Lobster?

No, Darden gift cards have not been valid at Red Lobster since 2014 when they split. Only use at Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, etc.

Where do I check my Darden gift card balance?

Call the number on the back of your Darden gift card or check online at Darden.com. Balances can’t be checked at Red Lobster.

Hopefully this FAQ clears up any confusion over using Darden and Red Lobster gift cards! Correctly purchasing and redeeming each brand’s cards is key.