Olive Garden rolling out new restaurant design, online To Go platform
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Olive Garden has begun the the roll out of a new restaurant remodel design and logo. The company, a division of Darden Restaurants Inc., is also launching an updated web experience and an online to-go platform for desktop and mobile computer users at all its U.S. restaurants.
The updated design will be implemented at more than 75 Olive Garden locations during the next year. The look is more open and vibrant, designed to create an atmosphere that promotes togetherness, while maintaining the chain’s casual warmth and family-friendly nature.
Features of 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; flexible seating that better accommodates large parties; and more vibrant colors, fabrics and textures.
Olive Garden also is introducing a redesigned web experience that includes the national launch of online To Go, where guests can order meals via Olive Garden's website for pick-up at restaurant locations across the country. Guests can pre-pay for their purchase online or when picking up at the restaurant and redeem coupons with their order. They also have the option to save their favorite orders for future transactions and order meals days in advance.
Olive Garden's new logo 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, the company said.
"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 VP 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."ma
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.
During the past year, Olive Garden said, it has simplified its culinary operations to focus on food quality, evolved its service approach to be more flexible and personal to anticipate customers needs, and expanded its menu with more than 20 new items.