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Darden Eating places is experimenting with smaller servings at Olive Backyard, testing out a “Lighter Portion Entrées” menu throughout 40% of its areas, the corporate introduced in its quarterly earnings name on Thursday.
The brand new menu part, which presents smaller parts and a lowered value on seven of its present entrées, is an extra possibility for visitors and is “not changing something” on the Italian-American restaurant chain’s menu, a spokesperson for Darden Eating places instructed FOX Enterprise in an electronic mail.
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The lowered parts part contains Olive Backyard’s Hen Parmigiana, Eggplant Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno, Cheese Ravioli, Spaghetti & Meatballs and Fettuccine Alfredo, in accordance with Darden Eating places.
Prospects enter an Olive Backyard restaurant in Pittsburg, California, on Dec. 9, 2022. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg by way of / Getty Pictures)
The lighter portion entrées are priced between $12.99 and $13.99, although they differ by market, the spokesperson instructed FOX Enterprise.
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The preliminary response from clients has been “encouraging,” with clients score the chain 15% larger on affordability, Rick Cardenas, president and CEO of Darden Eating places, mentioned on Thursday’s earnings name.

On this picture illustration, a smartphone exhibits the emblem of Darden Eating places Inc. (Cheng Xin/Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
Diners have additionally mentioned they had been happy with the quantity of meals they obtained regardless of smaller servings, in accordance with Cardenas.
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“These things, accessible at dinner and all day in the course of the weekend, nonetheless supply plentiful parts and include Olive Backyard’s unending first course of limitless breadsticks and limitless soup or salad,” Cardenas mentioned. “… I’ve confidence in Olive Backyard’s initiatives for the 12 months, in addition to their five-year roadmap to maintain long-term development and success.”

Olive Backyard pasta is photographed in Hyattsville, Maryland. (Deb Lindsey For The Washington Put up by way of Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
Darden Eating places, primarily based out of Orlando, Florida, can also be the father or mother firm of eating places, together with LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard Home and Ruth’s Chris Steak Home. The corporate’s inventory fell roughly 7% on Thursday after reporting combined quarterly outcomes.
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Darden Eating places introduced in June it was planning to open extra Olive Backyard and LongHorn Steakhouse eating places. Earlier this 12 months, Texas Roadhouse changed Olive Backyard as America’s prime informal eating chain. Olive Backyard had held the title since 2018, however a resurgence in Texas Roadhouse’s recognition pushed the informal steakhouse forward.