Olive Garden

Olive Garden is oft-maligned for serving up processed dishes masquerading as traditional Italian food, but that hasn’t stopped the sit-down restaurant chain from establishing a whopping 1,816 locations across the United States.

That’s a fairly remarkable feat, considering that the first Olive Garden was founded in Orlando, Florida in 1982 and only took two decades to become the nation’s leading franchise in the Italian casual dining space.

If there appears to be a “formulaic” approach to the spot’s offerings, it’s probably because the chain is owned by Darden Restaurants, which has created several other popular casual dining franchises like Longhorn Steakhouse, Eddie V’s, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, The Capital Grille, Red Lobster, and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

Given Olive Garden’s popularity and offerings of relatively low-cost sit-down menu options like unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks for $11.99 (with prices varying by location and time of day) it’s no wonder so many folks are posting about their Olive Garden experiences online, both sitting at and serving tables.

‘I just need a summer job THIS IS SICKKKK’: Job applicant can’t believe what she has to do just to get a job at Olive Garden

'Why do we have to play mind games to get a simple job?'

On Apr 25, 2024 by Natasha Dubash

Olive Garden

‘I just need a summer job THIS IS SICKKKK’: Job applicant can’t believe what she has to do just to get a job at Olive Garden

‘Always get embarrassed when I ask’: Olive Garden customer orders chicken and gnocchi soup just so she can take it to-go

‘That is definitely how reheated Alfredo looks’: Viewers think Olive Garden microwaved customer’s food after he notices something unusual about it

‘And it’s the smallest dish you’ve ever seen’: Olive Garden server tries to convince customers to spend an extra $6 on alfredo sauce with breadsticks

‘Just take my word for it’: Server shares why Olive Garden is the worst place to wait tables. And 3 other places to ‘never’ serve at

‘We would like the unlimited breadsticks, soups, and salads’: Olive Garden worker calls out customers who come in during their 30-minute lunch break

‘Sir, are you being helped?’: Jobseeker says his Olive Garden job interview went ‘horribly wrong’

‘I always thought the salad was for the table‘: Olive Garden server slams tables who share salad after one person orders soup and salad deal

‘THIS AUDIO IS INSANE’: Olive Garden worker jokes about Black people’s tipping habits. It backfires

‘On a budget, but spent $80 on dinner’: Parent orders ‘budget’ Olive Garden Family Meal Deal. Viewers aren’t impressed

‘What kind of company penalizes the server?’: Olive Garden server says table skipped out on their $100 check—and it’ll come from her paycheck

‘Just go to Dollar Tree or something and get them’: Are Olive Garden mints just Andes repackaged? Viral video leaves viewers divided

The sauciest Olive Garden stories of 2023: Cheese graters, never-ending pasta fails, and a $6.99 meal for 2 hack

‘We didn’t get cheese once’: Olive Garden customer says restaurant was out of cheese graters after customers sold it out

Main Character of the Week: Olive Garden ziosk heist

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