ComplaintsforDarden Restaurants, Inc.
Restaurants
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Complaint Details
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Initial Complaint
09/05/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I have several e-gift cards that are not working, and I have been told at Olive Garden that they are expired and have not expiration date on them.1- 6315 5652 4607 9219 activated 3/20/24 ****** 7105 8981 6670 activated 10/4/2023 3- 6218 0895 6576 2952 activated 10/4/23 This had happened prior and threw approx. $25 out but this time I wrote the dates on them, so I am positive they are good.Business response
09/05/2024
We don't recommend posting full gift card numbers publicly because doing so increases the chance of fraud. Gift card numbers should be treated like cash.
We checked these gift cards and two of the three have $10 balances. There's no record of any redemption attempts on these cards. They are valid now and have no expiration date.
Gift Card Ending in 2952 was used in full at *****, DE Olive Garden on 10/14/2023. There is no remaining balance.Business response
09/05/2024
Please redact the full gift card numbers when this complaint is posted on the BBB site. The card numbers could easily be stolen.
Thank you!
Initial Complaint
08/28/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
On 08/26/24 at 4:00 pm, I purchased a To Go order from Olive Garden. My order was 1 tour of Italy to go and 1 Toscana to go, for $26.12 ID# ***************; General manager name on my receipt is ***************************. When I arrived home, about 20 minutes later I began to eat my food that I ordered from Olive Garden. I noticed that the chicken was extremely hard under the melted cheese, the noodles' was like rubbery and hard, the soup seem ok but it did not have all the ingredients as said to be (no bacon). I managed to eat a small portion and it was horrible. My stomach felt like it was bubbling, and turning, I was unable to control my bowels and diarrheic took over. The food served was old and steal and I requesting a total refund and an apology with compensation. Olive Garden is a reputable business chain and in no way should serve the public food to that degree.Business response
08/29/2024
While we have had no other reported illnesses, this concern is important to know as we serve thousands of guests each week. We've asked our Accounting Team to issue a credit to the card used for payment. Additionally, we're sending a gift card to use on a future visit.Initial Complaint
08/23/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I took my son to Olive Garden in ******** on August 15 for his birthday as per his request. We were an hour and a half from home. When we got there our server was taking forever to come do anything. We got salad and once it was about halfway through I found a big black bug with pinchers on it in the salad. I called over the girls seating people since our waitress was **** she got the manager. When I showed him he said they dont cut their own lettuce there and its not from them. I said I dont care where its cut its in my food! Please cancel my food. My kids still wanted theirs so he said he would take care of the check. After this, the waitress never came back. She never checked to see if we were ok, never apologized, never brought the breadsticks that we were waiting for. After a bit we ended up walking out starving and going somewhere else to eat. It was my sons 13th birthday and that was all he wanted, we didnt even get to sing happy birthday that night due to us being so far from home and them having bugs in their food. I called corporate the next day and they said someone would follow up. No one did. I called corporate today (8/23/24) at 2:21pm, she did not have any previous complaint from me. So that means nobody even listened when I called. I told her its clear their company does not give a s*** about its customers to which then she hung up on me. I called back again an additional 2 times once at 2:30 and once at 2:31pm and she proceeded to pick up the phone and hang up without even saying anything, then picked up and left it on the hold music forever. My sons birthday was ruined and you guys do not even acknowledge what a dirty restaurant this is and the fact that nobody even corrected the situation!Business response
08/26/2024
The General Manager from our *****, ** restaurant attempted to reach this consumer several times after her first call August 16th. She was unable to get through due to a full voice mail. We've followed up by email with a complimentary gift card.Initial Complaint
08/20/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I visited the Olive Garden located at *******************************************, yesterday and was deeply disappointed with the service and attitude we encountered. I had my family and my father visiting from overseas. After a day trip to *****, **, I wanted to treat them to a good American dining experience. We stopped at this Olive Garden on our way home.We ordered five main courses with endless salad and one kids' meal for six adults and one child. However, the server brought us only one bowl of salad and informed us that we would be charged extra for any additional bowls. This contradicts the concept of "endless salad." When I explained that we had ordered six main courses with endless salad, she insisted on charging us extra for refills. I politely requested to speak with the manager.When the manager arrived, he repeated the same policy, stating that we were only entitled to one bowl of salad. I asked if we could receive at least two more bowls so each main course could have a half bowl of salad, but he refused and told us we were free to leave if we wished. This response was both rude and unprofessional, leading us to leave the restaurant.I have dined at many Olive Garden locations and have always enjoyed the experience with family and friends. However, the attitude and unreasonable demands from this restaurant's manager were unacceptable. It does not make sense that a person ordering an endless salad meal should receive only a quarter bowl with no refills. This seems like a scam orchestrated by the manager, and I plan to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.I am writing to seek resolution and expect a call, an apology to me and my family, and an invitation to return to the Olive Garden. Additionally, I hope the manager will be held accountable for this rude and disrespectful behavior.Thank you.Business response
08/21/2024
Our entrees come with a first course of endless soup or salad. Ordering an entree is required to receive endless salad or soup. If the salad and refills are shared with someone who has not ordered an entree, there is an additional charge for the extra person. This practice is in place so we can offer never ending salad or soup at a price that's a great value. We sorry this deterred from your experience and appreciate the opportunity to address your feedback and clarify.
We've also provided a complimentary gift card as a goodwill gesture.
Initial Complaint
08/14/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Delivery Issues
- Status:
- Answered
My husband and I have gone to the *************** MA location quite a bit.It was OK for a while after the ** addressed concerns where my to go orders were constantly being messed up with seasoning I could not have.Now we have done simple to go orders for the kids and the tenders are half cooked, no bread, missing items all around.That just happened again on our order today 8/14 4:10 pm est. Check number ****** LH store no 5158.Granted that was only 9 dollars but I'm going to be honest my husband has told me to be quiet when we do go in ** even the servers there still get the order wrong when you say no seasoning. You have one girl with brunette hair that works afternoons that is super gruff in nature and for the price you're charging...I could easily go to a more expensive restaurant, get a larger portion, pay a little more but get treated better. None of your servers anymore deserve the ***** percent tip bc they have got worse. Fix the issues, because you claim you do. And then it starts all over again.Business response
08/15/2024
Our Guest Relations will communicate with the operations leadership and follow up with the guest within the next 48hrs.Customer response
08/15/2024
Complaint: 22143798
I am rejecting this response because:there was no response...except passing the **** and ignoring as usual. We're done with the restaurant.
Sincerely,
****** And ***********************Business response
08/20/2024
An email reply has been sent to the Guest, and their comments have been shared with our operations team for appropriate guidance.Initial Complaint
08/14/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Please see the attached document to read my full unaddressed complaint.Business response
08/14/2024
It's troubling to hear of your experience this past weekend. This is definitely not the type of visit we ever want for you and apologize for the frustrating time. We've already sent you an email requesting a few details so we can assist with addressing your concerns and providing a refund. We look forward to connecting further with you.Initial Complaint
08/13/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
This is for the corporate office and not the local restaurant chain as its an issue with corporate.We visited your Ohio Cheddars Scratch Kitchen restaurant location. We dined in on 8/1/24@ 1:16pm. **** was having a state tax holiday from 12am 7/30/24-11:59pm 8/8/24. The state tax holiday included waiving dine in tax during that time period listed above. I saw I was charged dine in sales tax when it should have been waived. I spoke with a manager and his manager sent him out to tell me that Cheddars corporate REFUSED to honor the waived sales tax during the Ohio State tax holiday. The manager tried explaining to the general manager and corporate office that I was correct in waiving the sales tax (upon the manager researching it ) but he said Corporate still refused to waive the dine in tax and there was nothing that could be done since Corporate wasnt honoring it. The State of Ohio states that if consumers are charged the tax we are to file a report to the state for the tax refund and then they will hold the restaurant liable for not honoring the state tax holiday. Im wondering how many other people your corporate office has affected by not honoring the Ohio State tax holiday for Ohioans. Im going to attach my receipt showing the highlighted tax I was charged and not refunded as well as the time and date. Also, here is the state tax holiday site showing that you were to waive my dine in tax. *************************************************************************************************************** I am also attaching what the state says is covered for the state tax holiday and dine is part of it. Im requesting my tax refund from corporate before I have to fill out a sales tax refund form through the State that says it will hold the chain liable for not following the state tax holiday. I am asking for a refund of $2.63 in tax that wasnt to be charged by the chain. Im also hoping for a gift card for the trouble in having to get the tax back by state law.Business response
08/14/2024
We appreciate you dining with us and apologize for the error with your check. You should not have been charged sales tax given the statewide holiday and, certainly, this should have been resolved that day by our restaurant team for you. We've processed the refund this morning for the sales tax and we've already sent you an eCard for your next visit. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.Initial Complaint
08/13/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Delivery Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Order was never processed, checked in at restaurant curbside, waited 25 minutes, got a message that stated the order had already been picked up. I went inside and spoke to manager named *****, she stated the order had been lost and tried to give me someone else's order. Got smart with me when I told her that the order she was trying to give me was wrong and took the order back to the kitchen, she refused to refund my purchase stating that I would have to get in touch with Paypal.This is a copy of the text that I received at 5:15 pm about the order.Curbside check-in Pickup at 05:00 PM Order #************ $49.39 Our records indicate that your order has been picked up.If you feel this message is in error or otherwise need assistance, please call the restaurant using the link below.Business response
08/28/2024
We requested a full refund today through our credit card team. It should appear in your account within the next few business days.Initial Complaint
08/08/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I went to Longhorn located at ************************************************************************** on 8/8/2024. i ordered a 9 oz filet for myself and Salmon for my wife. I ordered my filet rare. The first filet that came out looked like a sirloin as the steak was almost flat like a burger and the cooked temperature was medium. I refused the steak and told the employee that I wanted the steak how they normally are which is around 2.5inches thick and to be cooked rare. I waited for them to make another steak only for the second one to look the same and this time to be cooked longer than the 1st one. Mind you I have now waited 45 minutes for one steak. I told them this is unacceptable and that they need to hire a new cook. I told the manager i did not want another steak and wanted my wifes food comped. She refused. I have been to Longhorn many times and this is unacceptable.Business response
08/11/2024
We apologize for the experience. An email and gift card has been sent to the guest.Initial Complaint
07/31/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
I had a server to steal money off my card without my permission, went into cheddars on Monday, spoke with the manager **** and reached out to the corporate office in regards of the matter, which led me to missing work also for my account went into a negative from the server that took money and I had an overdraft with fees. The food was terrible and cold that day which was Saturday July 27, 2024 I asked for a refund and for the extra money that was taken from me And the only thing they offered me was the $10 that was taken off the off my card and they ended up giving me a free appetizer. Which is unacceptable havent heard anything back from corporate!Customer response
08/15/2024
Good morning I have heard from the company and the matter has been resolved.
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Customer Complaints Summary
173 total complaints in the last 3 years.
96 complaints closed in the last 12 months.