History of Olive Garden in Timeline

Olive Garden is a prominent American casual dining chain serving Italian-American cuisine. It's a major revenue driver for its parent company, Darden Restaurants, Inc., contributing significantly to Darden's overall earnings. As of 2022, Olive Garden generated $4.5 billion of Darden's $9.63 billion revenue. The restaurant chain is headquartered under Darden Restaurants in Orange County, Florida.

December 13, 1982: The Olive Garden's First Restaurant

On December 13, 1982, the first Olive Garden restaurant was opened in Orlando, Florida, by co-founders Blaine Sweatt, Mark Given, Gino DeSantis and Dave Manuchia.

1989: Growth of The Olive Garden Restaurants

By 1989, there were 145 Olive Garden restaurants, making it the fastest-growing unit in the General Mills restaurant division, and the largest chain of Italian-themed full-service restaurants in the United States.

1995: General Mills Spun Off Darden Restaurants

In 1995, General Mills spun off its restaurant holdings as Darden Restaurants, named after Red Lobster founder Bill Darden, as a stand-alone company.

1998: Olive Garden Rebranding

In 1998, Olive Garden removed "The" from its name and introduced the slogan "When you're here, you're family" as part of a rebranding effort.

1999: Culinary Institute of Tuscany Founded

The Culinary Institute of Tuscany, adjoining the Riserva di Fizzano restaurant, was founded in 1999.

2009: Olive Garden as Darden's Most Inexpensive Restaurant Chain

In 2009, Olive Garden was Darden's most inexpensive restaurant chain with an average check per person of $15.00 (USD) versus over $90 at its sibling Capital Grille.

June 2010: Olive Garden selling dolcini

In June 2010, Olive Garden began to import parts of menu formats from its sibling chain, Seasons 52, and it began selling smaller dessert portions which it called "dolcini". These new products were modeled after Season 52's "mini-indulgences" product line.

2010: Olive Garden's Sales in 2010

In 2010, Olive Garden generated $3.3 billion in sales. Its closest competitor, Carrabba's Italian Grill, had generated $650.5 million in sales during the same year.

February 2011: Darden Announced Expansion Plans for Olive Garden

In February 2011, Darden announced its intention to add more than 200 Olive Garden locations and to expand into new international markets, including the Middle East and Asia. Darden also announced it would begin licensing franchising partnerships.

2011: Olive Garden and Red Lobster Co-Locations

In 2011, Darden announced that it was going to begin co-locating Olive Garden and sibling chain Red Lobster locations with unified kitchen and support areas. The menus remained separate, with customers only able to order from the location they are seated in.

2011: Olive Garden Implemented Mandatory Tip-Out Program

In 2011, Olive Garden implemented a mandatory tip-out program which allowed them to cut more of their employees' hourly wages to $2.13 per hour.

2011: Decrease in Sales

In the final quarter of 2011, sales at established Olive Garden locations decreased by 2.5%.

October 2012: Olive Garden Tested Converting Most of Its Staff to Part-Time

In October 2012, Olive Garden became one of the first national restaurant chains to test converting most of its staff to part-time, aiming to limit the cost of paying for health care benefits for full-time employees.

2012: Decrease in Olive Garden Sales

By 2012, sales had decreased at Olive Garden. The company introduced a three-course meal for $12.95 to try to stop the decline.

2013: Olive Garden Slogan Change

In early 2013, Olive Garden's slogan changed to "We're all family here".

2013: Never Ending Pasta Bowl Promotion

In the fall of 2013, Olive Garden started a promotion for the "Never Ending Pasta Bowl", where customers could eat unlimited pasta starting at $9.99. The restaurant served over 13 million bowls of pasta during the event.

July 9, 2014: Olive Garden Launched New Logo and Restaurant Design

On July 9, 2014, Olive Garden launched a new logo and restaurant design, including the addition of online ordering and smaller lunch portions.

September 2014: Starboard Value Released Presentation on Darden's Shortcomings

In September 2014, Starboard Value released a presentation focusing on ways Darden, especially Olive Garden, was wasting money and failing to satisfy customers, justifying their challenge to replace Darden's directors.

2014: Darden Announced Intentions to Sell Red Lobster

In 2014, Darden Restaurants announced intentions to sell Red Lobster, to close two Olive Garden and Red Lobster co-locations in Georgia and South Carolina, and to convert the remaining four co-locations into standalone Olive Garden restaurants.

2014: Never Ending Pasta Pass Promotion

In 2014, Olive Garden continued the "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" promotion and added the "Never Ending Pasta Pass", where customers could eat all the pasta they wanted during a seven-week period for $99. This promotion was limited to the first 1,000 people to purchase the pass online.

2016: Darden Announced Phase Out of Battery Cage Eggs

In 2016, Darden announced that it would phase out the use of battery cage eggs in its U.S. locations by 2018 and stop sourcing crated pork by 2025.

2016: Protests Against Olive Garden for Sourcing Meat and Dairy Products from Animals Raised in Intensive Conditions

In 2016, Olive Garden faced protests by environmental, labor, and animal welfare groups for continuing to source meat and dairy products from animals raised in intensive conditions, including routine antibiotic use.

2018: Darden Phase Out of Battery Cage Eggs

Darden previously announced in 2016, that it would phase out the use of battery cage eggs in its U.S. locations by 2018 and stop sourcing crated pork by 2025.

2018: Olive Garden Largest Casual-Dining Restaurant Chain

In 2018, Olive Garden became the largest casual-dining restaurant chain in the United States in terms of system wide sales.

August 2019: Darden Responded to False Claims About Olive Garden Financing Donald Trump's Campaign

In August 2019, Darden responded to false claims that Olive Garden was financing Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign, stating that the company does not donate to presidential candidates.

2019: Darden Announced It Would Stop Sourcing Meat From Chickens Treated With Medically Important Antibiotics

In 2019, Darden announced that by 2023, it would stop sourcing meat from chickens treated with medically important antibiotics.

2019: Olive Garden Added Lifetime Pasta Pass

In 2019, Olive Garden added the "Lifetime Pasta Pass" offered to first fifty diners to sign up for the never ending one. After granted the first pass selectees were then offered the chance to sign up for the second one.

2020: Olive Garden and 2020 Presidential Campaign

In August 2019, Darden responded to false claims that Olive Garden was financing Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign. Financial records prove Olive Garden had not contributed to the campaign.

February 13, 2022: Olive Garden Restaurants Globally in 2022

As of February 13, 2022, Olive Garden operated 922 restaurants globally.

2022: Olive Garden's Revenue in 2022

In 2022, Olive Garden restaurants accounted for $4.5 billion of the $9.63 billion revenue of Darden Restaurants, Inc.

2022: Criticism of Darden for Failing to Make Progress Toward Cage-Free Egg Commitment

In 2022, the animal welfare organization Open Wing Alliance criticized Darden and Olive Garden for failing to make sufficient progress toward the cage-free egg commitment.

2023: Darden Stop Sourcing Meat From Chickens Treated With Medically Important Antibiotics

In 2019, Darden announced that by 2023, it would stop sourcing meat from chickens treated with medically important antibiotics.

2025: Darden Stop Sourcing Crated Pork

Darden previously announced in 2016, that it would phase out the use of battery cage eggs in its U.S. locations by 2018 and stop sourcing crated pork by 2025.

2025: Olive Garden Surpassed by Texas Roadhouse

In 2025, Olive Garden was surpassed by Texas Roadhouse as the largest casual-dining restaurant chain in the United States in terms of system wide sales.