Darden Restaurants, Inc., the parent company of Olive Garden, has announced a multi-year exclusive delivery partnership with Uber Technologies, Inc. set to begin with Olive Garden in late 2024.
This collaboration will enable customers to order on-demand delivery directly through Darden's restaurant channels, utilizing Uber Direct and its extensive national delivery network, a reversal of Olive Garden's previous statements that they would not pursue third party delivery of their catering.
"Guests have been asking us for home delivery options and they continue to show they are willing to pay for the convenience," Darden President and CEO Rick Cardenas said. "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. Uber is a partner we believe shares that vision and can meet our expectations."
The partnership will kick off with a pilot program at select Olive Garden locations later this year, with a national rollout expected to be completed by May 2025, pending successful pilot results. Once fully operational, guests will have the option to order delivery through Olive Garden's website and app at over 900 company-owned locations across the U.S.
Sarfraz Maredia, Vice President of Delivery at Uber Eats, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, "on-demand delivery is increasingly a core expectation for consumers. We are confident that together we can provide an excellent, convenient, and reliable experience for Olive Garden fans, whether they are dining in or ordering from home."
The restaurant chain has over 900 locations throughout the country, with 79 reported restaurants throughout the state of California.