Olive Garden Tests Smaller Portion Menu Across Select Locations

With an aim to cater to the changing dining preferences of its guests, Darden Restaurants is experimenting with a “Lighter Portion Entrées” menu at Olive Garden, a popular Italian-American restaurant chain. This menu is tested across 40% of its locations, the company announced in its latest quarterly earnings call.

Introduction of Smaller Portions at Olive Garden

The new menu section offers smaller servings of seven existing entrées at a reduced price. Notably, the Olive Garden’s new offering is an additional option for guests and does not replace any existing items on the restaurant chain’s menu, a Darden Restaurants’ spokesperson informed FOX Business via email.

Featured Smaller Portion Dishes

The reduced portion entrées include some of Olive Garden’s favorites like Chicken Parmigiana, Eggplant Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, Cheese Ravioli, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and Fettuccine Alfredo, according to Darden Restaurants.

Pricing of the Lighter Portion Entrées

The prices for the lighter portion dishes range between $12.99 and $13.99, although they may vary by market, the spokesperson added.

Initial Response to the Lighter Portion Menus

According to Rick Cardenas, president and CEO of Darden Restaurants, the initial response from customers has been “encouraging.” Customers have rated Olive Garden 15% higher on affordability since the introduction of the reduced portion menu.

Diner Satisfaction with Smaller Portions

Diners have appreciated the quantity of food served in the smaller portion entrées. These dishes are available for dinner and all day during the weekend and come with Olive Garden’s unlimited first course of unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad. Cardenas expressed confidence in Olive Garden’s initiatives for the year and their five-year roadmap to sustain long-term growth and success.

About Darden Restaurants

Based out of Orlando, Florida, Darden Restaurants is also the parent company of restaurants, including LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Despite reporting mixed quarterly results, leading to a fall in the company’s stock by approximately 7%, Darden Restaurants is planning to open more Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants.

For additional information and updates, visit foxbusiness.com.

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