Olive Garden is reintroducing two popular dishes to its menu as the chain struggles with declining sales.
The Italian chain, with 900 locations, will soon offer Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo and Stuffed Chicken Marsala again.
Both items were eliminated during the pandemic, when menus were simplified.
They are now coming back with ‘“We want our products to meet the highest quality standards,” Rick Cardenas, CEO of Darden, Olive Garden’s parent company, said during a recent earnings conference.
When the return of the two items was announced at a general managers conference in August, the news was met with “tremendous applause.”
The move follows the chain’s disappointing third-quarter financial results, which saw comparable-store sales fall nearly 3 percent in the period.
Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo will soon be back on the menu at Olive Garden
Pedestrian traffic also declined after the July 4 celebrations, and total visitor numbers fell 5 percent year-on-year.
Darden bosses blamed the poor results on the weather, a rise in Covid cases, the Olympics and political unrest.
In addition to revamping fan-favorite items, the chain is also extending its “Never-Ending Pasta Bowl” promotion for another three weeks.
Cardenas said the annual promotion is popular among all income groups and is being used more this year than usual.
Fans of the restaurant chain have long regretted that the pasta dishes and baguettes could not be delivered.
Last week we reported that Olive Garden is finally offering its food through delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash.
The chain refused to use delivery services like its competitors, saying it did not want to put a third party between the brand and its customers.
Now bosses have entered into a two-year partnership with Uber, in a major turnaround that has delighted fans.
“Great news for foodies everywhere!” wrote one fan on X.
‘Now I can enjoy my baguette cravings at home too,’ commented another.
Olive Garden angered customers by raising prices earlier this summer despite disappointing sales.
In June, executives announced that prices would increase by 2.5 to 3 percent, not just at Olive Garden but at all Darden restaurants.
CEO Rick Cardenas also said the company would not make deals to attract customers fearful of inflation, as competitors did.
He was referring to competitors like Chilli’s, which has an appetizer, entree and drink deal for $11, and Applebee’s, which has two deals for $20.
Casual restaurant chains like these have joined fast-food companies in offering bargain deals as consumers, fearful of inflation, eat out less often after years of rising prices.
The likes of McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s are offering a $5 meal deal that includes a burger, nuggets, fries and a drink.
Orders are processed by Uber Eats delivery people, but can only be placed through the Olive Garden app
Olive Garden recently extended its ‘Never-Ending Pasta Bowl’ promotion
McDonald’s $5 deal includes a McChicken or McDouble, four pieces of chicken nuggets, fries and a drink
KFC has revamped its $5 meal deal to take on McDonald’s and Wendy’s, but there’s a catch: it doesn’t come with a drink.
Popular sandwich chain Jimmy John’s is offering a $10 Total Package Meal, which includes an 8-inch sandwich, a soft drink, chips and a cookie or brownie.
White Castle has slashed the price of its famous sliders to the lowest amount in a decade. The family-owned company, which has 335 locations, is offering 10 cheese sliders for $7.99 — more than 30 percent off the regular price.
Starbucks also made a surprise entry into the value-for-money space earlier this summer with a coffee and breakfast combo starting at $5.