In a move to expand its delivery services, Olive Garden has announced a new partnership with Uber, marking a significant change in how the restaurant chain serves its customers.
The collaboration will allow guests to order their favorite Italian dishes directly through Olive Garden’s website and app, with deliveries fulfilled by Uber Direct, Uber’s nationwide delivery network.
The pilot program is set to launch in late 2024 and, if successful, will be implemented across all Olive Garden locations in the United States by May 2025.
Shifting Consumer Habits Drive Olive Garden’s New Delivery Strategy
The partnership comes at a crucial time for Olive Garden and its parent company, Darden Restaurants, Inc. Over the past few years, consumer dining habits have shifted, with increasing demand for at-home dining options.
Coupled with this trend, Olive Garden has seen a decline in in-house dining sales, largely driven by changing consumer behavior post-pandemic. The restaurant chain is now responding to the growing call for more convenient delivery options.
Olive Garden will enhance its delivery experience through the Uber Direct integration. | Source: Olive Garden
“Guests have been asking us for home delivery options and they continue to show they are willing to pay for the convenience,” said Rick Cardenas, Darden President and CEO. “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.”
The Uber Direct integration will allow Olive Garden to offer a more seamless delivery experience, where orders are made directly on its own platforms rather than through a third-party app.
By doing this, Olive Garden retains control over customer data and provides a more unified brand experience, while Uber handles the logistics of the deliveries.
Uber Sets Sights on Expanding First-Party Delivery Market
For Uber, this partnership represents another expansion into first-party delivery services, a growing focus for the tech company. Sarfraz Maredia, Vice President of Delivery and Head of Americas at Uber Eats, noted the importance of first-party delivery in today’s market.
“On-demand delivery is increasingly a core expectation for consumers,” Maredia said. “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. We’re confident our teams can deliver on that promise together and continue to grow first-party delivery as a channel.”
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Other Darden Brands Expected To Follow Suit
While Olive Garden is the first to pilot the delivery partnership with Uber, other Darden-owned restaurants are likely to adopt similar strategies in the near future. Popular chains such as LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House and The Capital Grille could soon benefit from Uber Direct’s integration to offer first-party delivery options.
As the demand for convenient, at-home dining continues to grow, Darden Restaurants, Inc. is positioning its portfolio of brands to meet evolving consumer expectations across the board.
If the Olive Garden pilot proves successful, a broader launch among these restaurants is expected, further cementing Darden’s commitment to delivery services.
Featured image sources (L-R): Olive Garden; Uber
