The news recently reported that “activist investor” Starboard Value LP is pressuring Olive Garden to make changes to its operations. To improve profitability, they want Olive Garden to stop handing out unlimited garlic breadsticks. But this request is a big problem. Those sticks of bread are how the restaurant rewards customers for not laughing at the buildings, which are meant to evoke old Italian villas but look like what you see on the news when a celebrity is leaving home for rehab.
Starboard Value also claimed that with fewer breadsticks on the table, guests will have more room for appetizers and desserts, thereby improving profit margins. And they also want the chain to start using less dressing on the salads.
Imagine that being your job–helping to make the dining experience feel even cheaper to the customer. That would be such a rewarding way to spend your day. Very few people get the chance in life to do work that is this meaningful.
They could redefine fast food – fast as in making the customer fast before taking them to a table
Perhaps Starboard Value would prefer it if we would just pay the check without actually receiving any food?
I could live with smaller portions and less salad dressing, but a limited number of the garlic breadsticks? NOOOOO!
I agree with Donna…. take away the chairs.. I’ll stand but feed my garlic breadsticks!