The parent company of the Olive Garden restaurant chain, Darden Restaurants, announced a new partnership on Sept. 19 that will allow customers to order food from their Italian restaurant chain and have it delivered by Uber starting later this year. The delivery service will be available at select Olive Garden locations by late 2024, with plans to expand nationally to over 900 locations by May 2025.
This partnership marks Olive Garden’s first foray into third-party delivery, with Uber Direct handling the delivery of individual orders. Customers will need to order directly through the restaurant’s website and app, as Olive Garden will not be listed on the Uber Eats platform.
During an earnings call with investors, Darden Restaurants president and CEO Rick Cardenas emphasized that customers will pay the same price for their food whether dining in, picking up, or opting for delivery. The company will be transparent about any added delivery costs.
Cardenas expressed confidence in the partnership with Uber, noting that the ride-sharing company shares Darden’s vision and can meet their expectations. The exclusive partnership with Uber is seen as a strategic move to enhance Olive Garden’s delivery capabilities and reach a national scale efficiently.
The announcement of the partnership represents a shift for Darden, which had previously been hesitant to embrace third-party delivery for individual orders. Concerns over data sharing have been addressed, with Darden ensuring that guest data and insights will remain with Olive Garden.
On the same day as the partnership announcement, Darden reported weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings, citing a decline in sales at Olive Garden and other fine-dining restaurants. Despite the challenges, the company remains optimistic about the future and is reiterating its guidance for fiscal 2025.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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