By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-04-05 12:05:09 | Updated at 2025-04-06 01:34:09
13 hours ago
After a stunning seven-year reign, Olive Garden is no longer the top dog in casual dining.
The Italian-inspired chain — known for its never-ending breadsticks and pasta-heavy menu — slipped to second place in 2024 based on total US revenue.
Founded in Orlando, Florida in 1982, Olive Garden has grown steadily to be a favorite for family meals. It had held the top spot since 2018.
But last year, a resurgent Texas Roadhouse took the revenue crown for the first time, marking a shift in consumer appetite — and a big win for meat over marinara.
The steakhouse chain brought in $5.5 billion across its nearly 650 US locations, a 15 percent jump from the previous year.
It also opened 26 new restaurants in 2024 to help feed its growing customer base.
Olive Garden, meanwhile, still had a strong year, pulling in $5.2 billion from just under 1,000 restaurants and adding 15 new locations.
The $5.2 billion is a smaller number than anticipated. Olive Garden recorded an 8.8 percent growth in sales going into 2024.
Olive Garden lost its sales crown - and its corporate owners likely aren't losing any sleep
The latest numbers show that the company only grew sales by 0.8 percent last year.
The Italian chain is hoping to boost these sales numbers, adding new Uber-based delivery option for fans that live within eight miles of a store.
Olive Garden also ran a never-ending pasta promotion.
But Olive Garden's parent company, Darden Restaurants, likely isn't losing any sleep over the realignment.
Darden owns both restaurants. It did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment on this story.
Other emergent restaurants round out the top-five list for customer spend: Chili's, Applebee's, and Buffalo Wild Wings claimed the other top spots on the list by recording more than $4 billion in restaurant-wide sales last year.
Last year was a particularly strong showing for Chili's, as it pulled off an improbable comeback.
The 49-year-old chain with Tex Mex inspired food items reported a 31 percent increase in orders during its third quarter last year after revamping its menu and making an aggressive push on social media.
The restaurant, which sells never-ending bread, has announced plans to inspire customers to spend in its nearly 1,000 stores
Olive Garden brought back its Uber-based delivery program
Olive Garden also serves never-ending salad
But 2024 wasn't so kind to all casual dining restaurants in the US.
Outback Steakhouse reported surprising sales drops, especially compared to other steak-forward casual restaurants.
The brand has a higher dish price compared to the other restaurants. Stock of Outback Steakhouse's owner, Bloomin' Brands have dropped below $7.
Multiple competitor restaurants — including Hooters, TGI Fridays, On the Border, and Red Lobster — all filed for bankruptcy and shuttered hundreds of stores.
Denny's has also announced plans to permanently shutter several restaurants.
