These closures will have a minor effect on Happy gift cards too. The Happy Local Eats brand included both Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes, so the eligible restaurants for that card will likely be refreshed in due course.
Gift cards make great gifts, especially when the card encourages your recipient to go out and have an experience instead of just buying more stuff. And you can find some great savings on restaurant gift cards right now.
Where Can I Buy Souplantation Gift Cards
According to the National Retail Federation's annual survey, gift cards are the most popular item on wish lists for the 12th year in a row and 60% of those surveyed said that's what they asked for above clothing, accessories, books, movies, electronics, and more.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 bonus and 20% off VIP card or get a $25 bonus and the VIP card with a $100 gift card purchase. The bonus and VIP cards can be redeemed Jan. 1-Feb. 13.
Del Taco: Through Jan. 1, buy $30 in gift cards online and get one free small combo meal or buy $100 in cards and get four small combo meals. With an in-store promotion, get a coupon for two free grilled chicken tacos when you buy $15 in gift cards or get two coupons when you purchase $25 in gift cards.The free food coupons expire March 3.
Freebirds World Burrito: Through Jan. 6, get a free entrÃe or bottle of Death Sauce for every $30 spent on gift cards or for every $50 in gift cards get two free bottles of Death Sauce or a free entrÃe and a free bottle of Death Sauce. Death Sauce and Free Burrito cards valid through April 15.
Genghis Grill: Buy a $25 gift card in person or online and get a $5 bonus gift card or get a $15 bonus with purchase of $50 in gift cards. Bonus cards can be redeemed Jan. 1-March 31.
Quaker Steak & Lube: Buy $50 in gift cards and get a bonus scratch-off card, which is a mystery bonus ranging from $10 to $20 off a future meal purchase Jan 1.-Feb. 28. A few will win a $500 Visa gift card. Through Dec. 24, get two bonus scratch-off cards with a $50 gift card purchase.
TGI Fridays: Get $5 in Bonus Bites bonus card for every $25 you spend on gift cards to redeem Jan. 1-Feb. 28. When you purchase $50 or more of Fridays gift cards at locations also get a FandangoNOW movie code.
Twin Peaks: The chain is offering bounce back cards on gift card purchases including $5 back on a $25 gift card, $10 back with purchase of a $50 gift card, $20 back with $100 card purchase. Bounce back cards will be valid Jan. 1-31.
DSW: Through Dec. 26, get a free bonus card with select gift card purchases. With a $50 gift card, get a $5 bonus or get a $20 bonus with a $100 gift card or a $30 bonus with a $150 gift card purchase. Bonus cards can be redeemed Jan. 4-26.
Fees: Some state laws, bar service fees and expiration dates on store gift cards, but the rules on cards branded with the name of a credit card company are stricter. These cards cannot expire for at least five years and cannot have a service fee deducted unless it has not been used in 12 months.
Protect your card: Some gift cards can be registered as credit cards on websites listed on the card, which can protect them against theft or loss. Also take photos of the front and back of the card or write down card details as some companies will replace lost or stolen cards if you can provide specifics. Receipts with card information are good to hold on too.
Friday afternoon, Souplantation acknowledged the permanent closure on its website and in social media, thanking customers for the outpouring of support but making it clear it would not be honoring gift cards and hinting at bankruptcy.
Sweet Tomatoes said refund options for those holding gift cards are "limited at this time. You may be able to dispute the purchase with your bank or credit card company," said the restaurant on its website. "Otherwise, there may be an alternative option available through the court in the future."
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