The popular “Never Ending Pasta Bowl” from Olive Garden makes a comeback this Monday — and its cost remains unchanged.

The unlimited pasta deal will begin again at $13.99, remaining unchanged even as dining costs have risen significantly in recent years.

The cost of meals nationwide has increased approximately 30% from 2020, as reported by the National Restaurant Association.

According to industry professionals, Olive Garden has the ability to maintain an affordable promotional offer since making pasta is cost-effective and satisfying, with patrons typically consuming only a couple of servings.

“Pasta is extremely affordable and highly satisfying, making profit margins quite substantial,” stated Mike Kostyo, vice president of Menu Matters.

There’s a justification for providing an all-you-can-eat pasta bowl deal at $13.99 but not an identical offer for lobster at the same cost.

The restaurant group, which is part of Darden Restaurants, has increased food prices by only 2% during the last year, slower than the rate of…
inflation
However, profits increased by almost 13% during the previous quarter, partly due to initiatives such as its home-cooked meal package.

Neil Saunders, head of GlobalData, stated that maintaining the deal at the same cost is an intentional approach aimed at emphasizing worth as shoppers keep dealing with increased food and restaurant expenses.

It brings customers into the stores,” he stated. “While profit margins might slightly decrease, Olive Garden compensates through higher sales volumes and additional purchases.

A 30-year-old deal features an assortment of four pasta types—fettuccine, spaghetti, angel hair, and rigatoni—served with six different sauces, along with either soup or salad and non-stop breadsticks.

You can add meatballs, chicken, or sausage for an additional $4.99. Olive Garden’s free soup or salad along with the never-ending breadsticks offer are also available.

The “Endless Pasta Bowl” is available until November 16. Olive Garden usually introduces this offer during back-to-school season, when households are dealing with higher costs.

The affordable menu choices at Olive Garden have contributed to increased revenue. The restaurant attributed the resurgence of its “buy one meal and receive a takeaway meal” promotion as a factor in boosting its profitability.

Authorities remain unsure whether the “Never Ending Pasta Bowl” will maintain a price of $13.99 indefinitely.

Kostyo warned Olive Garden to remain cautious and ensure “they do not become victims of their own success.”

“The sector has many brands that didn’t increase prices on products and faced consumer frustration once they eventually had to raise them. No item can remain at the same cost indefinitely,” he stated.

Saunders stated: “Whether the cost stays consistent in coming years largely hinges on how expenses evolve,” Saunders went on.

Nevertheless, Olive Garden has indicated that it aims to maintain current pricing to highlight the affordability aspect.

The new pasta bowl promotion arrives several months following
Olive Garden introduced delivery services
Olive Garden launched a delivery option
Olive Garden began offering delivery
Delivery service was made available by Olive Garden
The rollout of delivery services by Olive Garden commenced
Out of its more than 1,000 restaurants. Orders carry the same pricing as listed on restaurant menus and can be placed via their website or application.

The holding company for Olive Garden, Darden, is
planning to open restaurants
aiming to keep the Italian chain within the “20-something” range for the near term.

Its sibling brand, Bahama Breeze, is currently undergoing
offloading its remaining restaurants
. Nevertheless, Darden has not disclosed whether any sites will be transformed into Olive Garden restaurants.

Read more