Olive Garden

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 17, 2021

The longtime restaurant leader intends to retire in May. Here's how his thinking has influenced a casual-dining giant—if not the industry itself, according to RB's Reality Check.

Leadership

Once a busser for Darden, Rick Cardenas is set to become its CEO

By Joe Guszkowski on Dec. 17, 2021

The industry lifer has spent virtually his entire career with the company, rising from a 16-year-old Red Lobster employee to the top post.

Financing

Amid pandemic uncertainty, Darden finds less is more

By Joe Guszkowski on Sep. 23, 2021

Olive Garden’s parent has hit on a more streamlined business model that it intends to take beyond the COVID era.

Premium

Consumer Trends

Can casual chains hold onto their off-premise gains?

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 28, 2021

Darden Restaurants, the segment's biggest player, doesn’t have the answer, but CEO Gene Lee admits his first assessment was off-target.

Financing

LongHorn Steakhouse sales soar as Darden moves closer to recovery

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 24, 2021

Olive Garden’s sales increased relative to 2019, while the casual dining operator’s fine dining concepts see improvements.

Financing

Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse find new profitability as sales return

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 24, 2021

The chains generated record restaurant-level margins last quarter as improved same-store sales coupled with better operations led to stronger profits.

Workforce