How many Olive Garden restaurants are there in the United States? What makes the chain so popular?

Olive Garden, founded by Bill Darden in December 1982, is the leading Italian chain restaurant by sales in the US. The first restaurant opened in Orlando, Florida, and has since grown in number many, many times over.

Measured by sales, Olive Garden is far ahead of its competitors. As of 2022, it made $4.64 billion in sales, more than the next nine competitors combined.

At the end of August 2022 the chain could boast 887 restaurants, that number has now increased to 915, representing the faith Darden, the company that owns Olive Garden, have in the brand and believe it will keep makign money. The states with the most restaurants are Texas (108), California (79), and Florida (77).

On 21 September, Darden, published information of the most recent financial quarter. Olive Garden sales had increased by 6.1% on the same period a year prior. The restaurant chain had profits of $262.3 million, nearly $50 million more than the same period last year.

What makes it so popular?

Olive Garden CEO Rick Cardenas said in a recent earnigns call that the prosperity of the company comes from two things, perceived value and staffing levels.

“Consumers continue to seek value, which is not about low prices,” said Cardenas.” Consumers are making spending trade-offs. And food-away-from-home is one of the most difficult expenses to give up, because going out to a restaurant is still an affordable luxury for them.”

Food away from home prices increased by 1.7% compared to this time last year, well below the overall inflation rate of 3.2%.

Price increases have mostly been kept below inflation levels.

“Of course, none of this would be possible without having the right people in the right roles ready to serve our guests,” Cardenas said. “Our restaurants continue to be well staffed and our manager staffing remains at historic highs.”