Olive Garden Tops Survey as Baby Boomers’ Favorite Casual Dining

Olive Garden is known for more than its beloved unlimited breadsticks. A recent survey reveals that the Italian restaurant chain is a preferred choice among baby boomers. Conducted by YouGov, the U.S. restaurant brand rankings surveyed 7,500 adults aged 65 and older, asking which casual dining chain they would consider visiting next. Olive Garden emerged as the favorite, with 33.8% of respondents choosing it over competitors like Texas Roadhouse, Applebee’s, Cracker Barrel, and Outback Steakhouse.

Olive Garden, headquartered in Florida and first opened in 1982, was not only the top choice among those 65 and older but also ranked highest in service (12.8%) and dining experience (12.1%) among all surveyed Americans. Fox News Digital reached out to Olive Garden for comment.

Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Restaurant Association, emphasized the importance of quality, hospitality, and overall dining experience in attracting consumers who are discerning about their spending. These elements contribute to Olive Garden’s broad appeal, which extends beyond older diners.

The chain is also highly regarded as a family outing option, for avoiding cooking, and for satisfying specific food cravings. This is supported by Morning Consult’s Most Trusted Brands report of 2026, which highlights Olive Garden’s strong emotional connection with consumers.

More people think of Olive Garden — and feel good about it — than any competitor.

In the casual dining category, Olive Garden leads when it comes to outings with family (40%), avoiding cooking (37%), and offering generous portions (32%). The report showcases its dominance across different age groups, even earning high rankings among Gen X and millennials.

However, the only age group where Olive Garden does not hold the top spot is Gen Z, with Chili’s earning the highest preference. For those aged 18–29, Chili’s narrowly surpassed Olive Garden with 29.6%. Olive Garden follows closely with 28.7%.

Aside from Olive Garden, other favored dining brands among baby boomers include Texas Roadhouse (28.2%), Applebee’s (24.7%), Cracker Barrel (24%), and Outback Steakhouse (22.1%).