Olive Garden to Unveil a Really Crazy 'Never-Ending' Deal
American appetites for casual chain dining are seemingly endless -- a fact illuminated by Olive Garden's latest promotion, which will offer 1,000 lucky customers unlimited portions of pasta this fall.
Today, the Darden-owned chain is offering for sale "Never Ending Pasta Passes" to the first 1,000 visitors to its website. The $100 gift cards will bestow each holder with seven weeks' worth of endless pasta, salad, bread and Coca-Cola branded drinks. The sale kicks off at 3 p.m. ET.
The publicity stunt dovetails with the chain's nationwide "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" offer -- an annual promotion during which all guests can feast on unlimited pasta for $9.99. "What we're trying to do is get some attention," Olive Garden's EVP of marketing, Jay Spenchian, told USA Today. "We're trying to make our fans feel like VIPs."
Related: Olive Garden Undergoes 'Brand Renaissance' as Investors' Criticism Intensifies
Last year, he added, the 800-store chain -- which has been under severe investor pressure following tepid sales -- served up 13 million bowls of never ending pasta.
And though it may point to a nutritional liability, a whole host of casual chains are satiating endless appetites at the moment in order to attract voracious diners and create social buzz.
TGI Friday's is currently offering "Endless Appetizers" for $10, while Olive Garden's former sister company, Red Lobster, has once again rolled out its "Endless Shrimp" promotion. Outback Steakhouse is also offering a $15.99 dish featuring steak and unlimited shrimp.
Related: Desperate Measures: Olive Garden Revamps Menu as Investors Get Pushy
Entrepreneur Editors' Picks
-
This Co-Founder Was Kicked Out of Retailers for Pitching a 'Taboo' Beauty Product. Now, Her Multi-Million-Dollar Company Sells It for More Than $20 an Ounce.
-
Have You Ever Obsessed Over 'What If'? According to Scientists, You Don't Actually Know What Would Have Fixed Everything.
-
After He Was Fired From the UFC, This Former Fighter Turned His Passion Into a Thriving Business
-
Most People Don't Know These 2 Things Are Resume Red Flags. A Career Expert Reveals How to Work Around Them.
-
How One Woman Turned Pandemic-Induced Boredom and a Makeshift Garage Art Studio Into a Thriving Franchise
-
Use These 4 Self-Care Rituals for More Resilience and Less Depletion
-
Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran Wants to Invest in 'Someone Who Probably Needs a Good Shrink Instead of a Business'
