Olive Garden recently announced its own initiative to add more lighter portion sizes and options to its menu. Its parent company, Darden Restaurants, is experimenting with this concept. Currently, it is at 40% of Olive Gardens being tested of all Olive Garden national locations. The new section includes smaller cuts of seven popular entrees, with a price point that’s more affordable than typical saddlebag-size servings.
The ultimate purpose of this test should be to increase sales. Rick Cardenas, the CEO and president of Darden Restaurants, announced a record quarter jump. Same-restaurant sales at stores participating in the reduced-size portion program jumped by almost 6%. Congestion at these localities grew by almost 3%. This increase shows that consumers are embracing this new approach to menu variety.
Customer satisfaction followed suit, with affordability scores increasing by 15% at stores that provided more modest portions. That’s good news, because it means customers are responding positively to the new pricing strategy—as well as to the change in portion sizes. Cardenas was clear that Olive Garden does not plan to abandon its commitment to “generous portion sizes.” Even after introducing lighter portions, they’ll still remain focused on serving consumers who want bigger meals.
According to Cardenas, this initiative adds “price breadth to the menu so consumers can choose.” Or like Olive Garden, which has multiple portion sizes and price points on a pasta dish. This approach allows them to better meet their customers’ growing preferences for various dining occasions and experiences. The trimmin portions pack in all the original restaurants crowd-pleasers. Savor unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad, these favored Olive Garden culinary traditions …
With over 900 restaurants and more than 99,000 employees nationwide, Olive Garden continues to adapt its menu offerings to meet changing consumer demands. The new lighter portion choices are a great example of how the brand is continuing to invest in fostering customer-centricity. Simultaneously, they fuel growth with dynamic menu expansion tactics.
