Olive Garden is arguably one of the greatest Italian family restaurants.I’m hungry just thinking about their cheese ravioli and braisedbeef Bolognese. And of course, their unlimited salad and breadsticks, the generous combo they’re known for. Holy yum.Besides the obvious delicious food, what else do you reallyknow about Olive Garden? Anything? We’re about to tell you.Here are some fun facts you might not know about this popular Italian chain:
Sales started off strong and never stopped.The first Olive Garden debuted in 1982 in Orlando, Florida and was immediately successful.By 1989, the restaurant had grown to 145 locations. The unique part about it was that theyactually intended to become a chain, unlike most chain restaurants. They fulfilledtheir wish: They’re now the largest Italian-themed full-servicechain restaurant in America (only second to Carrabba’s Italian Grill).Customers love these popular menu items.The classic Chicken Alfredo is one of the most popular dishes at Olive Garden,according to an employee who spoke with PopSugar. Shrimp scampi is a close second—and is actually one of the healthier menu options, coming in at just 500 calories(who knew?). Fettuccine reigns over any other pasta option,and chicken is the number-one topping for pastas. Did we say we were hungry before?They’re more Italian than you might think.
