Olive Garden to Revamp Restaurant Design, Online Ordering
Source: Joshua Jamerson
Olive Garden will revamp its restaurant design nationwide and update its online-ordering platform, the latest step by parent company Darden Restaurants Inc. DRI -1.59% to improve operations at the casual Italian chain.
Darden, which reached an agreement to sell its Red Lobster chain earlier this year, is in the early stages of a major brand overhaul for Olive Garden's more than 800 restaurants. The chain has been introducing lower-priced items and smaller plates to appeal to younger and budget-conscious customers.
The restaurant also unveiled plans Tuesday to introduce a new logo, marking the first logo change in more than 15 years, and is testing a new menu design format in more than 30 restaurants.
"As we continue to update our brand experience, we needed to send a strong signal to our guests that there's something new and exciting at Olive Garden, and our remodel design, web experience and logo are designed to do just that," said Jay Spenchian, Olive Garden's executive vice president of marketing.
The restaurant remodel, to be rolled out to more than 75 locations during the next year, includes the removal of walls and a more open atmosphere in general. There will also be décor and seating changes.
The web-experience overhaul includes a national launch of its online To Go service that allows customers to order meals online and pick them up at the restaurant.
Darden said in June its fourth-quarter earnings were down 35% on weak sales and high expenses at its Olive Garden and Red Lobster brands, which have seen declining traffic.
Olive Garden is the Darden's biggest chain by revenue.
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