Italian chain restaurant Olive Garden has taken some heat as of late from investors who say Olive Garden does not sell enough alcohol and sells too many breadsticks and salads to their customers. The owners of Olive Garden are defending themselves and say that the breadstick and salad strategy are doing just what they want. Investors want to create a plan for Olive Garden that they think will help the Italian chain restaurant do better.
In a recent article written by John Kell, Olive Garden defends its unlimited breadsticks and salad strategy.
He says that investor Starboard Value LP has presented a plan that can help the restaurant. They issued complaints that Olive Garden is selling too many breadsticks and too much dressing on their salads. Most people who dine at Olive Garden usually do not finish all the breadsticks they are given and you can say that is a waste of food. Starboard Value LP also says that part of their plan for Olive Garden is to sell more alcohol to customers. One of the most crucial points Starboard Value LP touched on was how Olive Garden does not salt the water for there pasta.
Joseph McCarthy, a senior at Cabrini College says Olive Garden is one of his favorite places to dine at every once in a while. “I do not think it is good that we waste food however Olive Garden is known for their breadsticks and salads. They are amazing. McCarthy said.
Olive Garden averages 675-700 million breadsticks a year. Olive Garden fired back at investor Starboard Value LP and saying that the breadsticks and salads are customer’s favorites and rated highly on their menu. In John Kell’s article, Olive Garden has said that alcohol sales are increasing as of late. Investors may think that Olive Garden needs to change to a new plan but the Italian chained restaurant says they are looking just fine as of now.
“When I go to Olive Garden I look forward to the breadsticks and salads,” McCarthy said. “Especially if the breadsticks are free then I don’t care how many they give me.”
