Capital Grille

Darden sees no virtual concepts in its future

The emotional connection and controls on execution just aren’t there, according to its CEO.

Olive Garden's owner lays off 11% of support staff

Included were 225 Darden employees who opted for early retirement and former COO Dave George, whose departure was described as an “involuntary separation.”

Financing

Ruth's Chris finds healthier margins in the pandemic's limitations

By Peter Romeo on Aug. 03, 2020

Restaurants that kept dining rooms open in June saw year-over-year improvement.

Operations

Darden's operations specialist Dave George to retire

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 25, 2020

The former chief of Olive Garden, LongHorn and Capital Grille has been instrumental in the casual-dining giant's success.

Operations

Surge in Olive Garden’s to-go volume holds unit sales slide to 44.8%

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 20, 2020

The Darden Restaurants chain is now generating takeout and delivery sales at an annualized rate of $2.8 million per store.

Financing

Off-premise soars, but Olive Garden’s same-store sales drop 59.7%

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 07, 2020

Parent company Darden Restaurants' fine-dining group saw steeper declines as dine-in sales plunged.

Food

Restaurants adapt Easter and Passover menus to the new normal

By Patricia Cobe on Apr. 03, 2020

Like other activities, holiday meals are pivoting to accommodate social distancing and lockdown guidelines.

Workforce

LongHorn's labor approach yields 6.7% comp rise, Darden says

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 19, 2019

The casual steak chain outperformed all of its sister operations, largely because of how it handled personnel, its parent company said. Olive Garden's comps rose 1.5%.

Financing