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Olive Garden

Operations

Why Darden CEO Gene Lee isn’t worried about consumers’ spending power

 By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 24, 2022

On his final earnings call as chief executive, Lee provided some parting wisdom about the state of restaurants in an unusual moment for the economy.

Financing

Olive Garden owner’s record sales overshadowed by omicron

 By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 24, 2022

A historic December gave way to a difficult January for Darden Restaurants, but it had bounced back again by February.

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

Olive Garden hints at end of Never-Ending Pasta Bowl

By Joe Guszkowski on Dec. 17, 2021

Executives said the popular promotion had negative impacts—and it did just fine without it this year.

Leadership

A look back at Gene Lee's sometimes contrarian approach to leading Darden

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.

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.

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

Labor group sues Olive Garden's parent in a challenge of the tip credit

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 15, 2021

The lawsuit by One Fair Wage against Darden Restaurants contends the credit is a violation of federal anti-discrimination rules.

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