Olive Garden Announces Closure of 900 US Restaurants This Week: Discover How It Impacts You
As the holiday season approaches, Olive Garden fans may find themselves planning alternative dining arrangements. This popular Italian-American restaurant chain confirms it will not serve customers at its 900 U.S. locations on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Reason Behind Olive Garden Closure
The closure isn’t a result of financial instability. Olive Garden, along with its parent company Darden Restaurants, prioritizes employee well-being over potential holiday profits. Employees get to spend time with their families during these festive periods.
Flexible Holiday Hours
- Olive Garden gives local managers the discretion to close early on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eves.
- Outlet schedules may vary, dependent on business volumes and holiday traffic.
| Restaurant | Status on Thanksgiving & Christmas |
|---|---|
| Olive Garden | Closed |
| LongHorn Steakhouse | Closed |
| Texas Roadhouse | Closed |
| Chick-fil-A | Closed |
| Waffle House | Open with reduced hours |
| Denny’s | Open with reduced hours |
| IHOP | Open with reduced hours |
| McDonald’s | Open with reduced hours |
| Starbucks | Open with reduced hours |
Olive Garden’s History and Management
Since its inception in 1982 in Orlando, Florida, Olive Garden has been integral to Darden Restaurants’ growth. The chain faced a sales slump in 2014 but rebounded by focusing on core offerings like unlimited breadsticks and soup.
Darden Restaurants’ stock has tripled over the last decade, reinforcing a trend of prioritizing employee welfare and family time over potential holiday earnings. This approach has helped sustain a positive market position.
Changing U.S. Holiday Business Trends
More American businesses are choosing to close on holidays. This shift allows workers to enjoy time off without impacting productivity. Companies recognize that high holiday staffing costs and reduced employee morale outweigh any minimal holiday profits.
If you’re craving Italian-American cuisine on these holidays, home cooking might be your best option as Olive Garden honors its commitment to family and employee well-being.
