Olive Garden owner Darden warns on 3rd quarter

[KamaAina]

What could possibly be in store in the 3rd quarter? Unlimited breastfeeding? Pit bulls in the smoking section? A new location in Times Square? Oh, wait a minute...

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-finance/20130222/US.Darden.Outlook/

Darden Restaurants, struggling to draw more customers into its Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants, predicted a third-quarter profit Friday that was below Wall Street's expectations and cut its outlook for the year.

The Orlando, Fla.-based chain has tried to revamp menus and marketing for its flagship chains. But revenue at Olive Garden, Red Lobster and LongHorn Steakhouse locations open at least one year is expected to fall 4.5 percent in the quarter ending Feb. 24, indicating those efforts have yet to pay off.

"We recognize there is still more to do to further address affordability and to improve other important aspects of the guest experiences we provide," said CEO Clarence Otis in a statement, adding that re-establishing growth at the three chains was Darden's top priority.

I don't suppose any of you have any ideas on how they could "improve other important aspects of the guest experiences we provide"?

[Moondog]

1. I know, I know!

Better menu. Better quality food. Better cooking.

Hire Marvin the Torch, and start over again?

[NYC_SKP]

2. To improve the experience, they could start by serving food.

But I'll give it to the Olive Garden over Red Lobster, which daily manages to utterly ruin tens of tons of shellfish and seafood.

[triguy46]

3. I had, because of family obligation, to eat in a Red Lobster

3 weeks ago. It was the most tired, worn out place I could recall. All the silverware and glasses were water stained. Upholstery threadbare. Even the menus were ragged. In all, it was a dump. There was dust on the shelves holding the design knick knacks that they place to make you think you're in Maine.

So I emailed them, told them this, and then got 5 offers to come back in and eat again. I told them no thanks, don't like them or their food. But for God's sake, take care of the basics.

[OriginalGeek]

4. I don't like Olive Garden. I don't care for Red Lobster. But

Longhorn makes a pretty damn good steak for the money AND they have Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on tap.

I'm not ashamed to eat there.

[In_The_Wind]

5. D'oh

Darden Restaurants, struggling to draw more customers into its Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants, predicted a third-quarter profit Friday that was below Wall Street's expectations and cut its outlook for the year. I wonder why

The Orlando, Fla.-based chain has tried to revamp menus and marketing for its flagship chains. But revenue at Olive Garden, Red Lobster and LongHorn Steakhouse locations open at least one year is expected to fall 4.5 percent in the quarter ending Feb. 24, indicating those efforts have yet to pay off.

"We recognize there is still more to do to further address affordability and to improve other important aspects of the guest experiences we provide," said CEO Clarence Otis in a statement, adding that re-establishing growth at the three chains was Darden's top priority.

I don't suppose any of you have any ideas on how they could "improve other important aspects of the guest experiences we provide"?

1) Red Lobster food sucks. I always had a yucky taste in my mouth after eating there.
2) Olive Garden is overpriced. Don't even try to say unlimited stuff makes up for the $$$$