Olive Garden

Olive Garden investor: Back off on the breadsticks

Sep. 12, 2014

A dissident shareholder in the chain’s parent company is demanding some very specific operational changes, including the switch to a one-stick-at-a-time bread service.

Pumpkin LTOs are coming out early—but are the pumpkins?

By Sara Rush Wirth on Aug. 19, 2016

Will the looming pumpkin shortage pose a problem for the many chains that bank on autumn LTOs?

Leadership

Dave George named Darden COO

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 22, 2018

The casual-dining chain operator also named Dan Kiernan president of Olive Garden.

Gene Lee named interim CEO of Darden

Oct. 14, 2014

The casual dining giant also has a new non-executive chairman, the CEO of the investment company that won control of Darden last week.

This week’s 4 head-spinning moments: No mercy

By Peter Romeo on Oct. 07, 2016

Can't the places struggling to stay afloat get some relief from regulators and the over-achievers?

Operations

Delivery backlash and 4 other head-spinning moments

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 23, 2018

The dash for off-premise business is taking a detour around third-party delivery. Meanwhile, Amy Poehler isn't making restaurateurs laugh, R&D kitchens are cooking up some unusual new products, and the drug epidemic is prompting some controversial changes in operations.

Leadership