Olive Garden announces US rollout of new restaurant remodel design aimed at being more open and vibrant; more than 75 locations will be remodeled during the next year

Nevin Barich

ORLANDO, Florida , July 8, 2014 (press release) – New Restaurant Design, New Logo & National Online To-Go Ordering Signal Broader Foundational Changes

Olive Garden today announced the latest phase of its ongoing brand renaissance by beginning the roll out of a new national restaurant remodel design and launching an updated web experience and online To Go platform – all of which feature a new Olive Garden logo – signaling the broader foundational changes the brand is making to evolve the guest experience.

During the past year, the leading Italian restaurant has simplified its culinary operations to focus on food quality, evolved its service approach to be more flexible and personal to anticipate guest needs, and introduced its largest menu refresh ever, with more than 20 new menu items that expanded choice, variety and value. The latest phase of changes – from a new logo to newly designed restaurants – serve as strong signals to guests that Olive Garden is bringing new things to the table. Details include:

New Remodel Design

This month Olive Garden unveils a new, updated design for its remodeled restaurants that will roll out to more than 75 restaurants during the next year. The design is more open and vibrant, creating an atmosphere that promotes togetherness, while maintaining the casual warmth and family-friendly nature guests love about Olive Garden.

The new design includes the removal of walls to create a more open and inviting atmosphere; distinctive decor in each dining area for a more homelike feel; a striking, more modern lobby and bar area which encourages guests to gather; flexible seating that better accommodates large parties; and more vibrant colors, fabrics and textures that bring new energy to guests' dining experience. Remodeled restaurants will also feature updated plateware featuring a more modern, all-white look that simplifies and enhances food presentation.

New Web Experience Featuring Online To-Go Ordering

Olive Garden also is introducing a redesigned web experience for its guests, including the national launch of online To Go, where guests can order meals online via desktop or mobile for carside pick-up in designated parking spots at all Olive Garden restaurants nationwide. Guests can pre-pay for their purchase online or when picking up at the restaurant and redeem coupons with their order. Guests also have the option to save their favorite orders for future transactions and order meals days in advance. To Go online orders can be placed by going to OliveGarden.com and clicking Find A Location.

New Olive Garden Logo

The strongest signal of change comes with the roll out of Olive Garden's new logo, which will be featured on remodeled restaurants, Olive Garden's new website and social media pages, as well as on menus and other marketing communications. All restaurant signage in remodel markets also will be converted to feature the new logo. This marks the first time Olive Garden has significantly evolved its logo in more than 15 years and is a physical indicator of the significant changes the restaurant is making to update its brand.

"We've done a lot of work during the past year to evolve the experience we deliver to our guests, from offering more choice and variety on our menu to creating a more flexible service approach that puts our guests' needs first," said Jay Spenchian, Olive Garden's executive vice president of marketing. "As we continue to update our brand experience, we needed to send a strong signal to our guests that there's something new and exciting at Olive Garden, and our new remodel design, web experience and logo are designed to do just that."

Olive Garden also is testing a new menu design and format in more than 30 restaurants with plans to roll out nationwide later this year. In addition to this test, all remodeled restaurants will feature a new leather-bound menu with an updated look and streamlined format that's easier to navigate and consistent with Olive Garden's new brand merchandising and logo.

Connect with Olive Garden at Facebook.com/OliveGarden, Twitter.com/OliveGarden and Instagram.com/OfficialOliveGarden. For more information and to find your nearest Olive Garden restaurant, visit OliveGarden.com.

ABOUT OLIVE GARDEN

Olive Garden is the leading restaurant in the Italian dining segment with more than 800 restaurants, more than 96,000 employees and more than $3.6 billion in annual sales. Olive Garden is a division of Darden Restaurants, Inc., (DRI), which owns and operates more than 2,100 restaurants that generate over $8.5 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., and employing more than 200,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. In 2014, Darden was named to the FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for the fourth year in a row. Our restaurant brands – Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V's and Yard House – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

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