Olive Garden is shutting down all its locations on this date! Find out whyPhoto: Olive Garden

Attention, Olive Garden customers! The restaurant chain has announced that it will soon be shutting down all its locations nationwide. But don’t worry! Before you panic, you should know that these closures are not permanent and will only last 24 hours. Here’s when they’ll happen so you can plan ahead.

When is Olive Garden shutting down all its locations?

According to the company, the restaurant closures will take place on two separate days: Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, November 27, 2025, and Christmas Day, on December 25.

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Why is Olive Garden shutting down its restaurants?

The scheduled closures on November 27 and December 25, 2025 are part of the company’s annual policy to give all employees the day off, so they can enjoy the holidays with their families.

All locations will reopen the following day with regular hours; however, some restaurants may adjust their schedules the day before, closing early on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve. So if you plan to order food from Olive Garden around those dates, it’s best to plan ahead and make your purchases early.

How many Olive Garden restaurants are there in the United States?

Currently, Olive Garden operates over 900 restaurants across nearly every U.S. state. The brand has a strong presence in suburban areas and shopping centers, though some locations can also be found in urban and tourist-heavy zones.

History of Olive Garden

Olive Garden was founded in 1982 in Orlando, Florida, as a pilot project by General Mills. The idea was to offer Italian food in a casual and affordable format for American diners. The first restaurant was such a success that it quickly grew into a nationwide chain, becoming one of the most recognized Italian dining brands in the country.

In the 1990s, the company made several efforts to improve the authenticity of its cuisine. They even sent some chefs to Italy to learn about traditional cooking, in what became known as the “Culinary Institute of Tuscany“, an initiative focused on enhancing the quality and authenticity of their dishes. In 1995, General Mills spun off its restaurant division into a new company called Darden Restaurants, which has managed Olive Garden as one of its flagship brands ever since.

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Over the decades, Olive Garden has remained a favorite for families and groups seeking a relaxed dining experience, with iconic items like its unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, as well as classics like lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, and chicken parmigiana.

Which restaurants shut down on Thanksgiving and Christmas?

While many restaurant chains in the U.S. remain open on holidays, several choose to shut down on Thanksgiving and Christmas to allow their employees time with loved ones. Some of the chains that commonly close on both days include:

Olive Garden
Chick-fil-A
Cracker Barrel (though in some years it only closes on Christmas)
Texas Roadhouse
The Cheesecake Factory
Red Lobster
Outback Steakhouse

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Dining and Cooking