Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Olive Garden tries to woo back customers after falling into a rut
McClatchy-Tribune Newspapers ^ | January 23, 2012 | Sandra Pedicini

Posted on 01/25/2012 8:25:29 PM PST by ConservativeStatement

With sales slipping, Olive Garden is trying to win back customers who have fallen out of love with the nation's largest Italian chain.

It is a major challenge for Orlando-based Darden Restaurants, which owns Olive Garden, Red Lobster and other brands.

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: clarenceotisjr; michelleobama; olivegarden; restaurants
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 next last
To: Josa
After they jumped on the “moochelle” bandwagon I decided the Darden chain didn’t need MY business.

I agree . . . haven't been there since Moochelle the Porker "made" them change their menu.

Neither I nor my wife want to put on as fat a behind as that bulbous hypocrite. Maybe Her Royal Hind Ass should get on a treadmill before she tells us that we and our kids are fat. Don't they have any mirrors in our White House, or has Obambi filled his room with them.

Any restaurant in the Darden chain is now off limits in my house.

41 posted on 01/25/2012 9:59:33 PM PST by laweeks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement
If you are in Whittier or North Orange County, Calif., you don't need to go to the Olive Garden or Red Lobster. If you want seafood, eat at the Seafare on Whittier Blvd. in East Whittier. A seafood restaurant owned by the Milhous family, a pioneering family which has been in Whittier since 1897, the eatery has been in business since 1961. Along Whittier Blvd. from Pico Rivera to Brea, only one other restaurant has been in business that long--Jack's in Whittier.

If you want Italian food, try Vinny's in La Habra. This is actually owned by an Italian family, unlike many "Italian" restaurants in Southern California. There's also Lomeli's in Brea, where I used to take my mother every Sunday.

42 posted on 01/25/2012 10:04:34 PM PST by Fiji Hill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: laweeks

Well I’m sure those generous liberals will step up to the plate and start eating out more often at the Olive Garden.


43 posted on 01/25/2012 10:06:21 PM PST by Josa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

The last Olive Garden I went to was in Orlando FL, it is the test kitchen for the Darden HQ, also the one you see in most Olive Garden commercials.

Anyway, waitress comes over with the 5 pounds of Southern belle makeup and big hair thing, with a ridiculous fake Italian accent, I order my food using Sicilian pronunciations which is the only way I know how to pronounce some of the fake Sicilian/southern Italian food on the menu, and she didn’t understand a word of it.
This Olive Garden plays 4 CDs called “Mob Hits Complete Collection: I, II and III” on a continuous cycle from opening until closing. Very very racist.


44 posted on 01/25/2012 10:11:54 PM PST by JerseyHighlander
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement

I’ve always liked Olive Garden (I know, that’s like saying I like Romney on this thread). I’ve had a couple of somewhat unpleasant experiences there, but nothing worse than the mom and pops. I’ve always LOVED their salad and breadsticks (by the way, I like Microsoft Windows too, and Bank of America).

Having said that (about Olive Garden), I’ve told them that I’m through until they disown their Michelle love affair...so they’re now off my list.


45 posted on 01/25/2012 10:16:37 PM PST by BobL ("Heartless" and "Inhumane" FReepers for Cain - we've HAD ENOUGH)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement

Worst food ever. To quote fry:
“That’s the saltiest thing I’ve ever tasted. And I once ate a big, heaping bowl of salt!”


46 posted on 01/25/2012 10:30:47 PM PST by Trillian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: aposiopetic

“Yogi?”

LOL

Berra or Bear?


47 posted on 01/25/2012 10:32:56 PM PST by ha maker (Sanity for lurkers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

Comment #48 Removed by Moderator

To: ConservativeStatement

I have always enjoyed their chiliburgers.


49 posted on 01/25/2012 11:18:33 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement

I have boycotted them for years because of prolife but one time when I was with someone who needed to eat fast and went to RL I broke down and went with her. The food reminded me more of food a 4 year old would like than adults. It was basically had very little seasoning and was rather mushy. The bread was such that I wondered if it was bread as it seemed more like “Wonder Bread” than bread with any honest appeal. The salad was unremarkable. It made me realize how little I have missed out by not having gone there before. Never, of course, went back.


50 posted on 01/25/2012 11:44:27 PM PST by Bellflower (The LORD is Holy, separated from all sin, perfect, righteous, high and lifted up.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: max americana
better she drag me there instead of some male-neutering movie like Sex and City’..(yeah, she tried but failed)

Sex and City, gag me, and I am female. Gives being female a bad name.

51 posted on 01/25/2012 11:47:35 PM PST by Bellflower (The LORD is Holy, separated from all sin, perfect, righteous, high and lifted up.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Grams A
Are you familiar with the “Homesick Texan”, Lisa Fain? If not, check her out for restaurant recommends
52 posted on 01/25/2012 11:51:44 PM PST by Coldwater Creek (He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty Psalm 91:)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement

I haven’t set foot in an Olive Garden or Red Lobster in 25 years, ever since i learned their parent company was donating to Planned Parenthood. But I suppose enough people figured out the Olive Garden formula of filling you with salad and bread sticks so you won’t care that they served you a skimpy entree.


53 posted on 01/25/2012 11:55:55 PM PST by OrangeHoof (Obama: The Dr. Kevorkian of the American economy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TexasNative2000
Olive Garden: “If you’re here, you’re family” should be changed to “If you’re here, you’re not Italian”.

Texas dining out is fascinating. In Texas, you can have Mexican food cooked by real Mexicans. And Italian food cooked by real Mexicans. And barbecue cooked by real Mexicans. And Chinese food cooked by real Mexicans. And hamburgers cooked by real Mexicans...

...and Cajun food cooked by real Vietnamese.

54 posted on 01/26/2012 12:05:14 AM PST by OrangeHoof (Obama: The Dr. Kevorkian of the American economy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Fiji Hill
STOP! STOP! STOP!

You are not only making me hungry, but unbearably homesick!

Speaking of the Milhos family, Nixon's on Whittier Blvd. was a big hangout for me as a high schooler. Then lots of dates at Jack's.

55 posted on 01/26/2012 12:07:06 AM PST by Coldwater Creek (He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty Psalm 91:)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement

IIRC, a little while back Olive Garden would not allow a local civic oganization to bring in an American flag for their meeting. When the story got out, a lot of finger-pointing ensued between corporate and the restaurant itself.

Further steeled my resolve to not patronize the place.


56 posted on 01/26/2012 4:17:08 AM PST by Arm_Bears (Journalists first; then lawyers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement
Could be the horrendous ad campaign where annoying multi-culti yupoids all sit around the table hysterically laughing at random unfunny comments.

Either that or it's the egg noodles with ketchup on the plate.

57 posted on 01/26/2012 4:29:11 AM PST by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement
Olive garden? Bah! I haven't been there in years, since they served my meal piping hot on the outside and frozen solid on the inside. If I want microwaved Italian food I'll run down to the Piggly Wiggly and pick up a TV dinner.
58 posted on 01/26/2012 4:44:28 AM PST by aomagrat (Gun owners who vote for democrats are too stupid to own guns.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fiji Hill

The Cheesecake Factory in Cherry Hill sucks. Very expensive, small portions and lousy service. Went once, never again. You can eat better at Wegman’s Supermarket!


59 posted on 01/26/2012 5:47:43 AM PST by New Jersey Realist (America: home of the free because of the brave)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: TexasNative2000
“If you’re here, you’re not Italian”.

LOL! So true. I never met an Italian that liked Olive Garden.

60 posted on 01/26/2012 5:59:19 AM PST by PJ-Comix ("Now I am become Death, destroyer of oysters" ---from the Buffetvad Gita)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson