It’s been 6 long years, but who’s counting? Fans of the Olive Garden are rejoicing at the news that the restaurant chain’s popular Never-Ending Pasta Pass is back!
As NBC’s Today Show reports, on July 13, Olive Garden announced that it’s bringing back the coveted pass for the first time since 2019, entitling customers to 13 weeks of unlimited pasta, breadsticks and more.
It’s a sign of the times, as consumers are feeling the bite of inflation and skyrocketing grocery prices. Olive Garden joins restaurant chains like Buffalo Wild Wings and Applebee’s in offering all-you-can-eat deals at a time when many Americans are eating out less frequently due to a tight wallet.
“Half of consumers are really, really cutting back,” Jonathan Maze, editor-in-chief at Restaurant Business Magazine, told NBC News business and data correspondent Brian Cheung on Today. “They want something really good for the money that they’re going to give restaurants, and all-you-can-eat is one way to do that.”
The dip in casual dining has meant a bounty of deals for consumers. “This is the biggest value environment that we’ve seen since the Great Recession,” Maze said. “We’re not seeing things like dollar menus, but we are seeing a lot of aggressive offers on the part of a lot of different restaurant chains.”
Here’s what you need to know about Olive Garden’s latest deal.
How Much Does a Never-Ending Pasta Pass Cost?
The passes are $100 plus tax, but you have to act fast because Olive Garden is only selling 10,000 total passes. They sold out within minutes when the chain last offered them in 2019.
When Do the Never-Ending Pasta Passes Go on Sale?
Olive Garden fans can buy one beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 16, by visiting PastaPass.com.
What Do You Get With a Never-Ending Pasta Pass?
Customers who get their hands on one of the passes will get 13 weeks of unlimited pasta, homemade sauces, protein toppings, soup or salad, and breadsticks.
Anyone with a pass also gets early access to the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl promotion on Aug. 24. The promotion officially begins on Aug. 31 and lasts until Nov. 22.
The Never-Ending Pasta Bowl Returns in August
The fan-favorite promotion will return on Aug. 31 and run until Nov. 22. For $14.99 — up a dollar from last year — customers get never-ending soup or salad, plus breadsticks in addition to unlimited refills of pasta. EClub members and Pasta Passholders will also enjoy early access starting Aug. 24.
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Photo Credit: marekuliasz / Shutterstock.com
