News Summary
Darden Restaurants is testing a new line of Lighter Portion Entrées at Olive Garden in response to evolving dining trends. Available at 40% of locations, the menu includes smaller portions of seven popular dishes offered at more affordable prices. Initial customer feedback is positive, highlighting increased satisfaction with food amount despite reduced sizes. Additionally, Darden is planning to expand its restaurant presence across the U.S. amid market changes and strong sales figures.
Orlando, Florida – Darden Restaurants is testing a new line of “Lighter Portion Entrées” at Olive Garden as they adapt to changing dining trends. This initiative is being rolled out across 40% of Olive Garden locations nationwide, aimed at providing customers with smaller meal options at a more affordable price.
The new menu section features smaller portions of seven popular entrées: Chicken Parmigiana, Eggplant Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, Cheese Ravioli, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and Fettuccine Alfredo. The prices for these lighter portions range from $12.99 to $13.99, depending on the specific market.
This move is not intended to replace existing menu items but rather to offer customers an additional choice. Reports indicate that initial feedback from customers has been positive, with an encouraging 15% increase in ratings specifically for affordability. Customers have expressed satisfaction with the amount of food they receive, despite the smaller portion sizes.
The lighter portion entrées will be available for dinner and all day during the weekends. Each entrée will continue to include Olive Garden’s well-known offerings of unlimited breadsticks and unlimited soup or salad, enhancing the dining experience.
Darden Restaurants’ CEO, Rick Cardenas, has voiced confidence in Olive Garden’s strategic approach, highlighting its roadmap for growth over the next five years. Currently, there are more than 930 Olive Garden locations and over 590 LongHorn Steakhouse locations nationwide.
The company plans to expand its reach further by opening an estimated 40 to 45 new restaurants over the next year, primarily focusing on Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. This expansion comes as recent market shifts saw Texas Roadhouse surpass Olive Garden as the top casual dining chain in America.
In its recent reporting, Darden Restaurants experienced a 7% drop in stock following mixed quarterly earnings results. However, Olive Garden’s sales for fiscal 2025 reached $5.2 billion, marking a 2.8% increase from the previous year. LongHorn Steakhouse also showed positive results, with a 7.8% increase in sales to $3.03 billion in the same fiscal period. Overall, Darden achieved nearly $12.08 billion in sales, leading to net earnings of $1.05 billion for the fiscal year.
For the upcoming fiscal year 2026, the company forecasts sales growth of 7-8%. Additionally, Darden is considering “strategic alternatives” for its 28-location Bahama Breeze chain, which may include selling the brand or converting these locations to other restaurant brands.
Darden Restaurants sees a significant opportunity ahead for growth, predicting new LongHorn locations at a rate of 25-30 per year and around 20 new Olive Garden locations in the foreseeable future.
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Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
