Olive Garden has been identified as the favorite casual dining chain among baby boomers, according to a recent survey by YouGov. The study, which surveyed 7,500 adults aged 65 and older, found that 33.8% would consider visiting the Italian restaurant chain, surpassing other popular establishments like Texas Roadhouse, Applebee’s, Cracker Barrel, and Outback Steakhouse.
The survey also indicated that Olive Garden ranked highly for service and dining experience among all surveyed Americans. This widespread appeal is further supported by a Morning Consult analysis, which found Olive Garden leads in categories such as family outings, avoiding cooking, and offering generous portions. The chain also reportedly possesses the broadest emotional resonance of any brand.
While Olive Garden is the top choice for older demographics, its popularity extends to other age groups as well. The chain was the most considered casual dining brand for adults aged 30-44 and 45-64. However, Gen Z, defined as individuals aged 18-29 in the study, named Chili’s as their preferred casual dining spot, with 29.6% of the age group choosing it over Olive Garden’s 28.7%.
The YouGov study's findings highlight differing generational preferences in casual dining. For baby boomers, besides Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Applebee’s, Cracker Barrel, and Outback Steakhouse were also among their top considerations. The popularity of Olive Garden across multiple age groups underscores its broad market appeal in the casual dining sector.