Olive Garden

Olive Garden

Olive Garden in Times Square, New York City

Olive Garden is an American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine. It is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, Inc., which is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Olive Garden is known for its pasta dishes, salads, and the famous unlimited breadsticks.

History

Olive Garden was founded in 1982 by General Mills, Inc. The first restaurant was opened in Orlando, Florida. The concept was to create a family-friendly dining experience with a focus on Italian-American cuisine. By 1989, there were 145 Olive Garden restaurants, making it the fastest-growing unit in the General Mills restaurant division.

In 1995, General Mills spun off its restaurant division, which included Olive Garden, into a new company called Darden Restaurants, Inc. Under Darden's management, Olive Garden continued to expand and refine its menu and service offerings.

Menu

The Olive Garden menu features a variety of Italian-American dishes, including pasta, salads, soups, and seafood. Some of the most popular items include:

• Chicken Scampi - A dish featuring sautéed chicken tenderloins in a creamy garlic sauce with bell peppers and red onions, served over angel hair pasta.

Chicken Scampi at Olive Garden

• Fettuccine Alfredo - A classic Italian pasta dish made with fettuccine noodles and a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce.
• Lasagna Classico - Layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese baked to perfection.
• Unlimited Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks - A signature offering that includes a choice of soup, a house salad, and unlimited breadsticks.

Locations

Olive Garden has over 850 locations worldwide, primarily in the United States. The restaurants are typically located in suburban areas and are designed to resemble a Tuscan farmhouse, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere for diners.

An Olive Garden restaurant

Marketing and Branding

Olive Garden's marketing strategy has focused on the theme of family and togetherness, with slogans such as "When you're here, you're family." The brand emphasizes its commitment to providing a welcoming environment and generous portions of food.

Criticism and Controversy

Olive Garden has faced criticism over the years regarding the authenticity of its Italian cuisine, with some critics arguing that the dishes are Americanized versions of traditional Italian recipes. Despite this, Olive Garden remains popular among diners who appreciate its consistent quality and value.

Also see

• Darden Restaurants
• Italian-American cuisine
• Casual dining restaurant

External Links

• [Official Olive Garden website](https://www.olivegarden.com)

Exterior of an Olive Garden in Virginia