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Olive Garden

Financing

Darden’s Gene Lee shows casual dining how it’s done

 By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 22, 2018

Olive Garden’s owner has thrived by simply focusing on doing a good job at its restaurants, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Top 500 Chains

Olive Garden

 Jun. 14, 2018
Leadership

Brad Blum named CEO of Bravo, Brio

By Peter Romeo on May 29, 2018

The two casual Italian brands will be the nucleus for a new company run by the former Olive Garden chief, with financial backing from Brazil-based GP Investments.

Leadership

Darden CEO Gene Lee named IFMA foodservice operator of the year

By Peter Romeo on May 19, 2018

The longtime casual-dining veteran was chosen for the Gold Plate Award from among eight leaders named as the best within their respective market segments.

Consumer Trends

Top 5 LTOs in December: Craveability vs. Purchase Intent

By Lizzy Freier on Jan. 01, 2018

Often, the menu items deemed the most craveable aren’t the ones consumers say they’re most likely to purchase.

Olive Garden hints at a return of the Never Ending Pasta Pass

Oct. 24, 2014

The Darden Restaurants chain said it will surprise social-media followers by giving them a chance to win one of a new batch of passes.

4 surprises behind Olive Garden’s big quarter

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 21, 2016

Executives attributed the gains to innovations on several fronts.

Consumer Trends

Yelp users’ favorite casual chains

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 05, 2018

A new analysis also shows what differentiates a good user-generated review from a negative one.

Olive Garden turnaround helps lift Darden profits

Mar. 20, 2015

The promised revamp at Olive Garden already is helping to boost its parent company's bottom line, with Darden reporting thrid-quarter fiscal earnings that met expectations on revenue and beat them on profit.

Marketing

Restaurants’ top menu deals and discounts this winter

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 27, 2017

Chains are doubling up on new dollar menus and value meals to spark sales during this slower time of year.

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