As if infinite breadsticks weren’t enough, Olive Garden is offering free dessert for customers in the know.
The home of the “never ending pasta bowl” is encouraging customers to sign up for its loyalty program, called eClub, to get a free dessert on their birthday.
As Homelander would say, “Yummers!”
Free dessert is one of a number of budget-friendly promotions the chain offers – and it could resonate with cost-conscious consumers at a time when food prices at grocery stores and restaurants are rising, industry experts noted.
“The biggest issue in the restaurant industry is customer traffic, getting people in the door,” said David Henkes, senior principle at Technomic, a restaurant research data firm.
“We have an affordability crisis in restaurants right now because it’s gotten expensive to eat out for a lot of consumers.”
Olive Garden customers can get their free dessert via a digital coupon, but they are also required to order an entree, according to The US Sun.
Getting the sweet treat gratis can save diners about $8.50, the outlet noted.
Other annual promotions have included Olive Garden’s buy one, take one deal, which began March 16 and ended May 3. It gave diners a choice of seven classic pasta dishes priced between $15 to $22 and included take-out orders.
Olive Garden is owned by Orlando-based Darden Restaurants, which also owns Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Capital Grille and LongHorn Steakhouse.
On top of b-day desserts, the eClub program has exclusive offers, updates and special coupons tailored to customers’ preferences, Darden spokesperson Hailey Fitch told The Post.
And since Big Breadstick is always watching, the promotions pay off for Olive Garden, too.
“Restaurants are better able to target promotions inside their apps to capture customer information and who is redeeming [discounts],” Henkes said.
Earlier this year, an Italian exchange student was taken “against his will” to an Olive Garden, documenting the saga in viral TikTok clips.
Young Alessandro eventually warmed to the chain’s breadsticks and calamari, though he said he felt like he was “betraying” his homeland.