Olive Garden to Close All U.S. Locations on Holidays

ORLANDO, Fla. — Olive Garden will close all 900 of its U.S. locations on Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. The Italian restaurant chain is maintaining its tradition of closing on these holidays to allow employees to spend time with their families.

According to a spokesperson, this decision is not due to financial issues, but rather reflects the company’s commitment to prioritizing its team members’ well-being over potential profits. The spokesperson added, “We want to allow team members to spend time with their families and friends.”

Olive Garden has consistently closed on these two significant holidays. Many customers seeking takeout on these days will not find their beloved pasta or salad available. The company also gives local managers the discretion to close early on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve, depending on local business volume.

The first Olive Garden opened in 1982 in Orlando and has grown to be a flagship brand of Darden Restaurants Inc., which also owns LongHorn Steakhouse among other chains. Despite experiencing a slump in sales around 2014, Olive Garden has seen a resurgence due to its focus on value-oriented offerings like unlimited breadsticks, salad, and soup.

Darden’s stock value has tripled over the past decade, indicating that Olive Garden’s closing on holidays is a mark of strength, allowing them to give employees designated days off while maintaining financial stability. This practice aligns with a growing trend among U.S. companies to prioritize employee time off over short-term profitability.

Other chains, such as LongHorn Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse, also close on major holidays, while some fast-food establishments open with reduced hours. Customers craving Italian-American food on Thanksgiving or Christmas will need to find alternative options or learn to cook, as Olive Garden’s doors will remain closed.