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Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome your queries about Olive Garden.

If your question is not answered below, fill out our Contact Us form.

Restaurant Information
Nutritional Information
Olive Garden Menu
Donations
Employment
Corporate Information

Former and current Olive Garden team members (employees) may request their W-2 wage statements by clicking here.

Restaurant Information

Select a question from the list:

Where will you be building future Olive Garden restaurants?
Can the Guest Satisfaction coupon be used at any Olive Garden?
How can I get a Guest Satisfaction Survey Coupon?
How can I purchase Olive Garden Gift Cards?
How can I check the status of my gift card order?
How do I get the balance on my Gift Card?
Does Olive Garden offer discounts on gift card purchases?
Where can I get a coupon?
Does Olive Garden have a mystery shopper program?
Does Olive Garden have a frequent diner program?
How do I purchase some of the decorative items seen in Olive Garden?
Where can I purchase a tape of the music played at Olive Garden?
What are the hours of operation for Olive Garden?
Holiday Hours
Reservations
Does Olive Garden offer To Go! ordering online?
Celebrations
Kids Menu

Where will you be building future Olive Garden restaurants?
We plan to build new restaurants in the locations listed below. Actual locations, the number of new restaurants and opening dates are projected and are subject to change. If your city is not listed, we hope to be coming soon. Please check back in August 2010 for an updated list.

Future Locations:
Morehead City, NC (July 2010)
Wake Forest, NC (Aug 2010)
Lee’s Summitt, MO (Aug 2010)
Miami Aventura, FL (Aug 2010)
Fort Worth, TX (Aug 2010)
Baytown, TX (Sept 2010)
Pleasant Prairie, WI (Sept 2010)
Wilson, NC (Oct 2010)
Council Bluff, IA (Oct 2010)
Louisville, KY (Nov 2010)
Inverness, FL (Nov 2010)
Spokane, WA (Nov 2010)
Freehold, NJ (Nov 2010)
Tulalip, WA (Dec 2010)
Ankeny, IA (Dec 2010)
Wausau, WI (Dec 2010)

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Can the Guest Satisfaction coupon be used at any Olive Garden?
Yes, the coupon can be used at any Olive Garden restaurant within 90 days of your initial day of visit.

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How can I get a Guest Satisfaction Survey coupon?
The surveys are printed out randomly, approximately every 40th guest check. The coupon prints on individual checks, not groups of checks. Therefore, if dining in a group, it is unlikely that more than one check will include a Guest Satisfaction Survey.

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How can I purchase Olive Garden Gift Cards?
Gift Cards can be purchased via the following methods:

By Internet: Gift Cards
By Telephone: 1-800-248-4935 (purchases under $250)
1-888-888-3341 (purchases over $250)
1-888-888-3341 (Canada)

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How can I check the status of my gift card order?
You can check the status of your order by calling 1-800-248-4935 or emailing GiftCardServices@OliveGarden.com

How do I get the balance on my Gift Card?
You may find balance and expiration information by visiting https://gift.olivegarden.com or by calling the telephone number on the back of your card and following the instructions.

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Does Olive Garden offer discounts on gift card purchases?
Discounts are offered on purchases of gift cards on the following amounts:
$500-999 5%
$1000 & More 10%

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Where can I get a coupon?
Several times a year we publish coupons in metropolitan-area newspapers that correspond to menu promotions. Sorry, we do not offer coupons at any other time.

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Does Olive Garden have a mystery shopper program?
Anytime we do use mystery shoppers, we hire a company specializing in mystery shopping. You may find such a company by searching the Internet under “Mystery Shopping.”

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Does Olive Garden have a frequent diner program?
Olive Garden tested a frequent diner program several years ago. Guest interest and participation was lower than expected and we discontinued the program. There are no plans to reinstitute a frequent diner program.

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How do I purchase some of the decorative items seen at Olive Garden?
Nearly everything in our restaurants is custom ordered. We have a proprietary clause with our vendors that prevents the sale of these items.

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Where can I purchase a tape of the music played at Olive Garden?
The music played in our restaurants comes to us in a special, custom-made cassette. These cassettes are not available to the general public.

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What are the hours of operation for Olive Garden?
Most restaurants open at 11:00 a.m. for lunch. Dinner is served beginning at 4:00 p.m. Our practice is to serve our dinner menu all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. As a courtesy to guests who ask, we will provide a lunch menu at any time. Normally, lunch is served only Monday through Friday from 11:00 to 4:00. Closing hours on Sunday through Thursday are 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. There are some regional variations and new restaurants are open for dinner only during the first few weeks of operation. Please contact your local Olive Garden by telephone for specific information.

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Holiday Hours
Olive Garden restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day to allow our team members to spend time with their family and friends. Depending on the amount of business on the day before these holidays, the restaurants may close early. We leave this decision to the discretion of the management team. Please contact the restaurant directly for the scheduled closing time the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve.

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Reservations
Olive Garden seats on a first-come, first served basis. However, some restaurants accept reservations. We are typically unable to accept reservations during peak times, such as weekends and holidays. Please contact your local Olive Garden by telephone for specific information.

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Does Olive Garden offer To Go! ordering online?
We do not currently offer To Go! ordering online, but you may place your order by telephone. Please view our ToGo! menu.

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Celebrations
An all-occasion cake is available for purchase to help you celebrate any occasion. The chocolate cake serves from four to six people. Please contact a restaurant manager for more information.

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Kids Menu
A children’s menu is available at our restaurants and online.

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Nutritional Information

Select a question from the list:

Where can I obtain nutritional information for your dishes?
How did you calculate the nutritional data?
What is Garden Fare?
What qualifies as Garden Fare?
Are Garden Fare selections available for kids?
Are you required to provide this information?
Do you have nutritional information on beverages?
What is the nutritional content of your salad dressing?
Do you use trans-fat free oils?
Do you have menu Items for those with gluten intolerance?
I have a specific question about the Olive Garden menu and nutrition. Who can I talk to about it?

Where can I obtain nutritional information for your dishes?
We provide the information for all of our regular menu items on our website so guests may access the most accurate and up-to-date information available. Please click here to see our nutrition information.

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How did you calculate the nutritional data?
It’s a highly scientific process. A laboratory that specializes in nutritional analysis evaluated each dish many times. However, due to the hand-crafted nature of our food and any guest substitutions or special requests, it’s possible there could be minor fluctuations in the figures provided.

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What is Garden Fare?
A key element of Italian cuisine is fresh, simple and delicious ingredients. From that, our philosophy has always been to create a balanced range of options designed to appeal to a variety of taste and dietary preferences. Our Garden Fare menu, which we’ve offered for more than 15 years, has a range of delicious, low fat dishes. Click here to see our Garden Fare menu.

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What qualifies as Garden Fare?
Each Garden Fare® entree contains less than 30% of calories from fat, less than 10% calories from saturated fat, and fewer than 750 calories for dinner selections or 500 calories for lunch selections.

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Are Garden Fare selections available for kids?
Yes, we offer two low fat options for children. Click here to see our Cheese Ravioli with Tomato Sauce, Grilled Chicken with Spaghetti and Broccoli, and Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce for kids.
Please click here to see our Garden Fare menu items for Children.

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Are you required to provide this information?
Not in most areas. We are making this information available because we believe in providing meaningful, relevant facts to those guests who want them, so they can make informed decisions about the food they eat.

Do you have nutritional information on beverages?
Yes we do. Click here to see our complete listing for beverages.

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What is the nutritional content of your salad dressing?
Each two (2) tablespoon serving contains the following: 80 calories; 70 calories from fat; fat 8 grams; saturated fat 1 gram; cholesterol 5 mg; sodium 510 mg; carbohydrates 2 grams; protein 0 gram.

Do you use trans-fat free oils?
Yes, all of our cooking oils are trans-fat free.

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Do you have menu Items for those with gluten intolerance?
We can recommend several menu items especially for gluten intolerance. Your server will be happy to accommodate your request, or you may contact one of our Guest Relations Representatives via our Contact Us form or at 1-800-331-2729. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4p.m. ET.

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I have a specific question about the Olive Garden menu and nutrition. Who can I talk to about it?
Contact one of our Guest Relations Representatives via our Contact Us form or at 1-800-331-2729. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4p.m. ET.

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Olive Garden Menu

Select a question from the list:

Are Olive Garden recipes available?
How do I sell a recipe to Olive Garden?
I am trying to avoid trans-fats and hydrogenated oils, do any of your meals or
desserts contain trans-fats?

Are Garden Fare selections available for kids?
Is your salad dressing available for purchase?
Does Olive Garden use pork in its recipes?
Which menu selections are vegetarian?
Gluten Free Menu Items

Are Olive Garden recipes available?
Recipes are proprietary to keep Olive Garden unique, however, you may find selected home version recipes in our Italian Recipe Box.

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How do I sell a recipe to Olive Garden?
While we delight in accepting menu suggestions, we cannot accept recipes. Our Culinary Institute of Tuscany in Italy represents our passion for Italian food and serves as a source of inspiration for our menu. We work closely with Italian chefs to bring the freshest, most flavorful dishes of Italy to our restaurants. Visit The Culinary Institute of Tuscany for more information.

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Is your salad dressing available for purchase?
Yes. You can purchase our signature salad dressing from your local Olive Garden. The cost varies by region from $4.35 - $5.35. (Prices and/or packaging subject to change.) Sorry, we are unable to offer on-line ordering for salad dressing at this time.

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I am trying to avoid trans-fats and hydrogenated oils, do any of your meals or desserts contain trans-fats?
Our cooking oils are all trans-fat free.

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Are Garden Fare selections available for kids?
Yes, we offer two low fat options for children. Click here to see our Grilled Chicken with Vegetables and Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce for kids.

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Does Olive Garden use pork in its recipes?
We appreciate your concern regarding pork products in our menu items. Pork is primarily used as a flavor enhancer and traditionally is a common ingredient in Italian cooking. Entrees that do contain pork include:
Lasagna Classico
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Spaghetti & Meatballs
Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce
Tour of Italy
Create a Sampler Italiano
Zuppa Toscana
Create Your Own Pizza
Pork Milanese
Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara

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Which menu selections are vegetarian?
A few of our menu items can be adjusted to accommodate a vegan or vegetarian diet, but none wholly meet the criteria. Depending on your personal philosophy, we can suggest the following items as meatless, but not necessarily vegetarian or vegan:

Minestrone soup (vegetable and mushroom base; no meat protein)
Garden Salad (without dressing)
Marinara Sauce (mushroom base; no meat protein)
Capellini Pomodoro
Eggplant Parmigiana
Fettuccine Alfredo

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Gluten Free Menu Items
Please visit our gluten-free menu area. Alternately, visit the Garden Fare information area of our website and select the “Gluten Free” tab to see several menu items available for guests with Gluten Intolerance. Please notify your server of this special request.

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Donations

How do I make a request for a donation?
Olive Garden donates to charitable causes that benefit the community. Donation requests can be submitted in writing to the general manager of your local Olive Garden. This includes requests for donations of gift certificates or food.

Request should be on your organization’s official letterhead, including the organization’s full name, address, phone and fax numbers. State your donation request, when it is needed and how it will benefit the community. Please submit written requests 30 days prior to the date the donation is needed. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to honor every request that we receive. Please accept our apology in advance if we are not able to fulfill your request.

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Employment

Select a question from the list:

Employment Verification
Employee Information
Employment Opportunities
Employment Opportunities – New Locations

Employment Verification
Contact our vendor, The Work Number, at 800-367-2884 or via the company's Web site, www.theworknumber.com. Our Employer Code is 11533.

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Employee Information
If seeking information pertaining to your employment, please contact the following departments directly by telephone.

• Benefits: 888-374-3343
• Payroll: 407-245-4400
• Employee Relations: 800-932-2558

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Employment Opportunities
We are always looking for new members of the Olive Garden family. Please contact your local management team by telephone or in person for information about employment opportunities. The best time to apply is between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. For information about management positions and employment at the Restaurant Support Center, click here.

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Employment Opportunities — New Locations
We are pleased to know you are considering employment with Olive Garden. About 30 days before the restaurant opens there will be a banner at the restaurant indicating that the restaurant is "Now Hiring." Applications for hourly employees are taken at the restaurant after that sign is posted. For opening dates, please contact Guest Relations via our Contact Us form or at 1-800-331-2729. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. EST.

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Corporate Information

Select a question from the list:

Does Olive Garden offer franchise opportunities?
Where can I obtain an annual report?
Stock
Student Information
Real Estate
Advertising Vendor Inquiries

Does Olive Garden offer franchise opportunities?
Olive Garden is owned and operated by Darden Restaurants and does not offer franchises. There are no individually owned and operated restaurants.

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Where can I obtain an annual report?
You may download an annual report by visiting the Investor Relations section of our parent company's website, Darden Restaurants (www.darden.com). If you prefer a pre-printed copy be mailed to you, please email your request via our Contact Us form or call Guest Relations at 1-800-331-2729. Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Stock
Darden Restaurants, Inc. stock is traded on the NYSE under code DRI.

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Student Information
Thanks for thinking of Olive Garden for your school project. Our website, and the website of our parent company, Darden Restaurants, contain valuable information that may be incorporated into your school presentation. Please browse the information available and use the material for your project.

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Real Estate
If you have questions or comments about the sale or purchase of real estate, please contact our Real Estate Department at 407-245-4555.

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Advertising Vendor Inquiries
Proposals related to television and outdoor advertising are coordinated by Grey Advertising. Please call 212-546-2083.
Outdoor advertising proposals are coordinated by MediaCom in New York. Please call 212-546-1677.
For more information, please call the Marketing Automated Line at 407-245-4016.

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