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The Straight Story

(48,121 posts) Mon Mar 3, 2014, 04:07 PM Mar 2014

Olive Garden hopes new logo and menu will win back customers [View all]

Olive Garden hopes new logo and menu will win back customers

NEW YORK — Olive Garden has a plan to win back customers: a new logo and yet more menu changes.

In a call with analysts on Monday, executives at Darden Restaurants Inc. expressed confidence they could bring about a "brand renaissance" at the Italian chain with a new look and updated menu that presented food with "flair and sophistication." The changes include more small dishes and the option to mix and match pastas and sauces.

Darden executives also continued to make the case for why it made sense to hold onto Olive Garden and spin off or sell only Red Lobster, rather than keeping the two struggling chains together and separating them from the company's more promising specialty restaurant unit, which includes Capital Grille and Yard House.

"We certainly recognize that industry dynamics have changed considerably over past two years," CEO Clarence Otis said during the call, acknowledging the need to make drastic changes.

http://www.wcpo.com/lifestyle/food/olive-garden-hopes-new-logo-and-menu-will-win-back-customers?dsfdsg

97 replies

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Olive Garden hopes new logo and menu will win back customers [View all] The Straight Story Mar 2014 OP

I would suggest a new menu gollygee Mar 2014 #1

lol. but other than that they are fine. Pretzel_Warrior Mar 2014 #12

And we're OFF!!!! Jeff In Milwaukee Mar 2014 #87

I'd be more inclined to eat there if they paid their staff a living wage and gave them sick days. Scuba Mar 2014 #2

No kidding Aerows Mar 2014 #51

It's going to take more than that for me liberal N proud Mar 2014 #3

Ahh, I see they've instituted 'up selling'. louis-t Mar 2014 #20

And probably cost the poor server good money for trying to offer you good service joeglow3 Mar 2014 #91

Their food sucks... barnabas63 Mar 2014 #4

Lol, was waiting for the typical DU response about ANY restaurant? You win! nt Logical Mar 2014 #7

No, not all restaurants are like that... barnabas63 Mar 2014 #25

It's idiotic isn't it. The "I wouldn't eat there if they paid me." replies are obnoxious and not Ed Suspicious Mar 2014 #37

Still sucks.... barnabas63 Mar 2014 #47

so true Niceguy1 Mar 2014 #52

And all of it is "crap" or "low grade dog food". :-) nt Logical Mar 2014 #53

the only restaurant approval that matters to me Niceguy1 Mar 2014 #59

Smart man :-) nt Logical Mar 2014 #63

As we used to say back in my seagoing days, when asked "How's the food?" cloudbase Mar 2014 #62

Good one! n-t Logical Mar 2014 #64

That's because it's all food service products now, instead of anything actually made on premises. Ikonoklast Mar 2014 #67

I like it Excelsyor Mar 2014 #5

They got rid of the artichoke dip ...fuck them! L0oniX Mar 2014 #6

Makes me want to eat there tonight! Soup, salad and bread sticks! nt Logical Mar 2014 #8

Lol, Comment reminds me of those defending Chick-Fil-A during the H8 protests. nt TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #13

Yes, because Olive Garden hates gays! You just..... Logical Mar 2014 #15

For a logical person, critical thought is missing. TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #17

You make no sense chum! Reply again and try harder! New thread! nt Logical Mar 2014 #19

Perhaps because I know your game. TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #21

Yes, I bet your analysis is flawless! Genius I tell ya, genius! nt Logical Mar 2014 #22

The level of snark is one such gaming tool. TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #26

Like your initial "lol"? :-) Logical Mar 2014 #35

I modeled it after your prior 'Lol' post, even using the same mixed caps-mode letters you used. nt TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #39

I should stop feeding your posts. It's giving you that much needed attention. TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #40

For what it's worth Packerowner740 Mar 2014 #76

They should bake their bread sticks a while longer. AlinPA Mar 2014 #16

And put more garlic on them. narnian60 Mar 2014 #65

And some olive oil, too. AlinPA Mar 2014 #71

Olive Garden thread! Woo hoo...it's been a while! Lizzie Poppet Mar 2014 #9

Someone on the DU hates every restaurant! :-) nt Logical Mar 2014 #10

No, just the ones protesting livable wages and healthcare, while redistributing tips. TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #14

We have a favorite waitress there, always use her and tip 25%, you think... Logical Mar 2014 #24

And you think that 25% goes to her... that's the laugh. TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #30

I will show her your post and get her opinion! nt Logical Mar 2014 #36

Good. It might spur her to look for a better gig. nt TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #38

Yes, because jobs are just waiting for her, you have any suggestions I can.... Logical Mar 2014 #41

You're "Logical." You can figure that out. Also, she should reflect on what was said. TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #43

I will let her read your posts directly, she needs to see the attitude.... Logical Mar 2014 #44

Don't distort what I've written. I've made no such statement about intellect. TheBlackAdder Mar 2014 #45

I've got a couple friends that work for two different OGs Packerowner740 Mar 2014 #78

Oh, the Olive Garden issues long predated that... Jeff In Milwaukee Mar 2014 #85

It would appear (whether the appearance is sincere or not) that the concomitant is true... LanternWaste Mar 2014 #23

Good point! nt Logical Mar 2014 #34

Hhhheh, heh-heh. You said woo. Eleanors38 Mar 2014 #55

Their new small plates are good. Doremus Mar 2014 #11

Food with more flavor might help jmowreader Mar 2014 #18

I think they should do an ad campaign w/lovely young people frolicking on the beach in bathing suits Warren DeMontague Mar 2014 #27

In zero gravity jberryhill Mar 2014 #28

Does the Olive Garden serve popcorn? Warren DeMontague Mar 2014 #31

Hhhheh, heh-heh. You said bathing suits. Eleanors38 Mar 2014 #56

Perfect for swimming Warren DeMontague Mar 2014 #61

Their chicken is excellent. Dr. Strange Mar 2014 #29

Salad and breadsticks are good. kentuck Mar 2014 #42

Darden is a publicly-traded company beholden to stockholders first and foremost ... Auggie Mar 2014 #32

I'm not an Olive Garden fan but I don't understand your post. virgogal Mar 2014 #54

Only fast food chains like Darden Auggie Mar 2014 #60

Does it feature a friendly hootinholler Mar 2014 #33

Their customer is the middle class Moliere Mar 2014 #46

Different colored lipstick customerserviceguy Mar 2014 #48

Not a food snob BUT Jake Stern Mar 2014 #49

Like Taco Bell here in Texas. Eleanors38 Mar 2014 #57

Ironically, Taco Bell was actually better in TX where there JCMach1 Mar 2014 #73

Within 4 blks on a street in South Austin I can eat at Eleanors38 Mar 2014 #81

Right? Packerowner740 Mar 2014 #80

I'd like to see an all-you-can-stand Mexican buffet. Eleanors38 Mar 2014 #82

You remember Panchos? Packerowner740 Mar 2014 #94

Have a friend from Italy (Italian all the way) who NYC Liberal Mar 2014 #92

I avoid chain restaurants whenever I can. alarimer Mar 2014 #50

Well... MadrasT Mar 2014 #96

Guaranteed to bring out the Olive Garden snobs tularetom Mar 2014 #58

yeh, I thought OG was okay. Whisp Mar 2014 #66

So you'd say that you are an OG OG? Warren DeMontague Mar 2014 #69

That salad is made under threat of lash by kidnapped rescue poodles!!! ReverendDeuce Mar 2014 #89

Okay, I'll admit it. I could eat their soup, salad, and breadstick lunches. Often. moriah Mar 2014 #74

Put some fucking garlic in your food for a start. And get rid of those god-awful breadsticks. Codeine Mar 2014 #68

I find they are not all the same... SomethingFishy Mar 2014 #97

Still won't go there. There is a local Italian restaurant near my house that's better than OG. muntrv Mar 2014 #70

How they made a name for themselves in the late 1980's early 1990's was the JCMach1 Mar 2014 #72

With all of the healthy eating, low carb diets I just don't see people going back Packerowner740 Mar 2014 #75

See, this was Hitler's mistake Kelvin Mace Mar 2014 #77

The owners of Olive Garden are Darden, Inc. Sarah Ibarruri Mar 2014 #79

I love their fettuccine alfredo. My husband and I go there often. liberal_at_heart Mar 2014 #83

Eff the haters... Olive Garden is delicious! ReverendDeuce Mar 2014 #84

Did you run out of Chef Boyardee at home? Capt. Obvious Mar 2014 #88

Would you like someone to help you onto your cross? ReverendDeuce Mar 2014 #90

You should learn how to use that expression correctly Capt. Obvious Mar 2014 #93

"New Wait Times" would be better... ScreamingMeemie Mar 2014 #86

Maybe if they opened some locations in high-profile places like Times Square KamaAina Mar 2014 #95