All articles tagged with #olive garden
Olive Garden will introduce smaller, more affordable portions of select dishes in the new year after positive customer feedback, aiming to enhance affordability perceptions and increase visit frequency, without replacing existing menu options.
Darden Restaurants reported strong Q2 sales driven by Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, raising its full-year revenue outlook due to increased demand for value-oriented dining options despite higher ingredient costs, with growth in same-store sales and a positive outlook for fiscal 2026.
Restaurants like Olive Garden, The Cheesecake Factory, and P.F. Chang's are introducing smaller, more affordable portion options in response to changing consumer preferences, budget constraints, and evolving eating habits, aiming to attract and retain customers while addressing waste and competition.
Darden Restaurants reported mixed quarterly results with a net income increase and strong sales growth driven by its brands like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, and raised its revenue growth forecast for 2026, though its shares fell 6% premarket.
Olive Garden's popular 'Never Ending Pasta Bowl' returns on August 25, offering unlimited pasta, soup or salad, and breadsticks for $13.99, with eClub members gaining early access on August 18. The menu features up to 96 flavor combinations, including a new Spicy Three-Meat Sauce, and the promotion runs until November 16.
Despite rising inflation and menu costs, Olive Garden has maintained the price of its 'Never Ending Pasta Bowl' at $13.99 for four years, likely leveraging increased customer spending on additional items and bulk pasta purchasing to sustain profitability, while other casual dining chains focus on value promotions to attract budget-conscious consumers.
Olive Garden's popular 'endless' breadsticks, soup, and salad offer a cost-effective way to satisfy customers and have become a core part of the brand's identity, despite pressures to change due to profitability concerns.
Olive Garden's popular 'endless' breadsticks, soup, and salad originated in 1982 as a cost-effective way to manage demand and have become a core part of its brand identity, offering value and fostering customer loyalty despite profitability pressures. The chain continues to emphasize these offerings, which contribute to its recent sales growth and customer retention, with no plans to alter this tradition.
Darden Restaurants hit an all-time stock high after surpassing earnings and revenue estimates, driven by strong same-restaurant sales, new locations, and the acquisition of Chuy's Tex Mex, with the company announcing a $1 billion stock buyback.
Darden Restaurants exceeded quarterly sales estimates and raised its annual same-store sales forecast above analyst expectations, driven by strong demand at casual dining chains like Olive Garden, supported by menu innovations, delivery services, and promotional offers. Shares rose 3% premarket, despite a slightly lower forecast for annual earnings per share.
A diner at Olive Garden claimed to find letters and numbers on a breadstick, prompting the restaurant to express concern and request more information. The incident went viral on TikTok, with over 3.5 million views, and sparked various theories about the markings, including one from an alleged employee suggesting they came from the breadstick's packaging. Olive Garden responded by offering the customer a $100 gift card, which was praised by many as good customer service.
Olive Garden will raise menu prices by 2.5% to 3% over the next year to align with inflation, after keeping increases below inflation in recent years. Despite recent declines in same-store sales, Darden Restaurants, Olive Garden's parent company, aims to maintain value and customer experience amidst economic concerns.
Darden Restaurants Inc., the owner of Olive Garden, experienced an 11% stock plummet after reporting lower-than-expected revenue and a pullback in consumer spending, particularly among lower income and older customers. The company attributed this trend to unfavorable weather conditions, elevated inflation, and changing consumer behavior. Despite acquiring new restaurants, only LongHorn Steakhouse saw growth in same-store sales. Darden updated its fiscal 2024 financial outlook, expecting sales for the fourth quarter to be approximately $11.4 billion and planning to open 50 to 55 new restaurants during the period.
The healthiest order at Olive Garden, according to a dietitian, is the Shrimp Scampi, which contains under 500 calories, heart-healthy produce, and lower sodium and fat counts compared to other pasta dishes. It also provides ample protein, fiber, and is lower in sugar, making it a well-rounded, balanced meal option for those looking to indulge in a pasta dish while being health-conscious.
Registered dietitians share tips for ordering wisely at Olive Garden, recommending options like Pasta Fagioli for its low calorie count and high fiber content, grilled chicken margherita for its balanced nutrients, and scampi dishes for their protein, fiber, and fat sources. They advise portion control, suggesting to-go boxes and soup and salad combos, and emphasize moderation with breadsticks and dressings while still allowing for enjoyment of indulgent dishes.