After seven years at the top, Olive Garden has been dethroned as America’s leading casual dining restaurant by Texas Roadhouse. The steakhouse chain surged ahead due to a significant increase in sales, marking a shift in consumer preferences from Italian cuisine to steakhouse offerings. According to Fox Business, Texas Roadhouse reported a 14.7% increase in sales, reaching $5.5 billion, while Olive Garden saw only a 0.8% rise, bringing in $5.2 billion.
Texas Roadhouse’s success can be attributed to its expansion, with 26 new locations opened in 2024. The chain now operates nearly 650 U.S. locations. Meanwhile, Olive Garden, despite adding 15 new restaurants, struggled to maintain its growth momentum.
Chili’s, Applebee’s, and Buffalo Wild Wings followed Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden in the rankings, each recording over $4 billion in sales. Chili’s, in particular, saw a remarkable 31% increase in orders during its third quarter, thanks to a revamped menu and a strong social media push.
Despite losing the top spot, Olive Garden’s parent company, Darden Restaurants, remains optimistic, as it owns both Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse. Olive Garden is attempting to boost sales with new delivery options and promotions like the never-ending pasta deal.
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