Olive Garden is bringing back two beloved menu items, Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo and Stuffed Chicken Marsala, as the popular Italian chain looks to boost sales amid declining foot traffic and underwhelming financial performance. Both items were previously removed when the company streamlined its menu during the pandemic, but they are returning with what CEO Rick Cardenas has called “higher-quality ingredients.”
The announcement of these returning favorites was met with “tremendous applause” at a recent conference for Olive Garden’s general managers, underscoring just how much these dishes mean to fans.
The move comes after disappointing third-quarter results, which saw same-store sales dip nearly 3 percent and overall visitor numbers drop by 5 percent year-over-year. According to Darden executives, factors such as poor weather, a rise in COVID cases, the Olympics, and political instability were blamed for the slump.
In an effort to recover, Olive Garden is also extending its popular “Never-Ending Pasta Bowl” promotion by an additional three weeks. Cardenas noted that this annual event is attracting more customers across income levels than usual this year, suggesting that it remains a major draw despite the broader economic challenges many diners face.
This revival of fan favorites comes at a critical moment for the chain, which also recently made a significant shift in its strategy by partnering with Uber Eats and DoorDash. For years, Olive Garden resisted offering delivery, preferring to maintain direct control over the guest experience.
However, the chain’s U-turn on this policy, entering a two-year partnership with Uber, has delighted fans eager to enjoy their breadsticks and pasta dishes from the comfort of home. The news sparked excitement on social media, with one user commenting, “Now I can get my breadstick craving at home too!”
Despite these promising developments, Olive Garden has faced backlash over price hikes earlier this summer. In June, executives announced a 2.5 to 3 percent increase in prices across Darden’s restaurant portfolio, including Olive Garden.
Unlike some of its competitors, Darden chose not to introduce value-based promotions or discount offers to attract inflation-weary customers, a move that stood in contrast to chains like Chili’s and Applebee’s, which have leaned into deals to bring diners back in.
While casual dining competitors such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and KFC are rolling out value-driven meal deals to entice budget-conscious customers, Olive Garden’s decision to stick to premium pricing could be seen as a gamble.
KFC, for instance, has revamped its $5 meal deal, while fast-food giants like McDonald’s and Burger King continue to offer bundled deals with meals under $5. Even Starbucks entered the value conversation with a coffee and breakfast combo starting at $5 earlier this summer.
