Casual‑dining chain Olive Garden is expanding its “Lighter Portion Entrées” menu nationwide following strong results from pilot testing in select restaurants, aiming to appeal to more budget‑conscious customers in 2026. The rollout comes after the new menu options proved popular during an earlier test phase.
During a successful trial at about 40% of its U.S. locations, Olive Garden offered smaller, reduced‑portion versions of seven classic entrees, including Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, Fettuccine Alfredo and Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. These items were priced between approximately $12.99 and $13.99, a marked difference from the chain’s regular entrée prices.
Customers responded positively to the adjusted portions and price points, leading to higher ratings for affordability and satisfaction during the test phase.
Olive Garden’s parent company, Darden Restaurants, originally planned a phased rollout over several months, but strong demand prompted an acceleration — with the full nationwide implementation set to begin in January 2026 across all locations.
The lighter portion options are additive and do not replace the full‑size dishes, still offering diners Olive Garden’s signature unlimited breadsticks and choice of soup or salad with their meals. This strategy provides guests more flexibility in portion size and price without removing traditional favorites from the menu.
Industry observers note Olive Garden’s move reflects broader trends in casual dining, where menu diversification and value‑oriented choices help restaurants address changing consumer preferences amid economic pressures.
By providing more approachable price points and tailored portion sizes, Olive Garden aims to enhance both guest experience and competitive positioning going into 2026.
