Why go to Olive Garden when Olive Garden can come to you?
Darden Restaurants, the parent company of the casual Italian eatery, has announced it has partnered with Uber to offer Olive Garden for delivery, meaning you will no longer have to get off your keester when you’re jonesing for some shrimp carbonara or fettucine Alfredo.
“The agreement will enable restaurant guests to order on-demand delivery via Darden restaurant channels, with delivery handled by Uber Direct, through Uber’s national delivery network,” Darden said in a press release on Sept. 19.
Olive Garden is partnering with Uber to make its food deliverable.Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images / Getty Images
Delivery will begin at select Olive Garden locations late this year.
“Upon the completion of a successful pilot, national expansion at Olive Garden is expected to be complete by May 2025,” said Darden, whose portfolio of restaurants also includes LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s and Bahama Breeze.
Olive Garden had not previously offered a delivery option, and this new agreement will allow customers to receive delivery through its website and app at over 900 of the Darden-owned restaurants in the United States.
“Guests have been asking us for home delivery options and they continue to show they are willing to pay for the convenience,” said Darden president and CEO Rick Cardenas.
“As we continued to evaluate delivery, it was important for us to find a way to address this guest need state without disrupting the team member or guest experience and without compromising our competitive advantages and simple operating model. Uber is a partner we believe shares that vision and can meet our expectations.”
Uber is equally thrilled at this new marriage with Olive Garden.
“We’re excited to announce this partnership and look forward to bringing guests the excellent, convenient and reliable experience that is foundational to both of our brands,” said Sarfraz Maredia, vice president of Delivery, head of Americas at Uber Eats.
“On-demand delivery is increasingly a core expectation for consumers. People also expect a great experience, especially when it’s from a brand they love like Olive Garden, and that doesn’t change whether it’s at the restaurant or at home.”
There is one major downside to getting Olive Garden delivered, of course: No never-ending soup, salad or breadsticks.