
Big Changes Coming to Olive Garden in Arizona: ‘We are Not Happy About It’
Here's one more reason to consider cooking at home: another restaurant chain just announced significant price hikes.
Yahoo! Finance reports that Olive Garden restaurants across Arizona plan to hike menu prices again. This time, by an average of 2% to 3% over the coming year. Last year, the chain tacked on a 1% increase to their menu prices.
Olive Garden's parent company said they've seen a significant jump in operational costs and the cost of food and other supplies. The increase, they say, was a way to stay ahead of rising costs.
KEEP READING: Another Arizona Fast Food Chain Just Raised Its Prices
Why Are Olive Garden's Prices Rising Again?
Olive Garden's parent company, Darden Restaurants, explained that the rising cost of doing business is the main reason behind the price hikes.

The cost of eating out has risen across the board, hitting everything from fast-food restaurants to mom-and-pop shops, from casual dining to fancy eateries; inflation has affected the entire restaurant industry.
READ: Infuriating! More Proof Fast Food in Arizona is Getting Worse!
Price Hikes Affect Lower Income Families
You may have noticed that many fast-food chains, such as McDonald's and Wendy's, have been trying to woo customers back despite rising prices by offering discounted value meals and bundles.
Olive Garden, on the other hand, has been cautious about offering discounts and specials. As a result, sales have dipped significantly, especially for customers with lower incomes.
It'll be interesting to see which approach works best. Will customer loyalty overcome the higher prices, or will the chain consider bringing customers back with one of their popular specials? Time will tell.
Sources:Yahoo! Finance | News Nation Now | Newsweek | Business Insider | Olive Garden | Darden Restaurants
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