Transforming the Marketplace

Darden

2016 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2011

Length of Commitment: 10 years

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Enhance restaurant menu options by offering healthier meals and side dishes for children in its four brands that offer kids’ menus (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Bahama Breeze) and reducing calories and sodium across the core menus of brands in its portfolio at the time of the commitment (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52 and The Capital Grille) by 10 percent in 5 years (2016) and 20 percent in 10 years (2021). In 2014, Darden Restaurants sold its Red Lobster brand restaurants. At this time, the new Red Lobster company has not indicated whether or not it will continue Darden’s commitment to PHA.

Verified Results

Implementation Date
December 2016
Reporting Date
October 2016

Commitment Element
Using 2010 as the benchmark year, Darden will reduce its calorie footprint by 10% over five years (2016) across the brands listed above.
Progress To Date

Over the five-year reporting period, Darden reduced its enterprise-wide calorie footprint by 9.2%. For its largest brand, Olive Garden, calories were reduced by 12.8%.
Implementation Date
December 2016
Reporting Date
October 2016

Commitment Element
Using 2010 as the benchmark year, Darden will reduce the sodium content of its menus by 10% over five years (2016) across the brands listed above.
Progress To Date

Over the five-year reporting period, Darden reduced its enterprise-wide sodium footprint by 19.3%, exceeding the goal to reduce the sodium content of its menus by 10% over five years. For its largest brand, Olive Garden, sodium was reduced by 22.6% during the same time period.

Partner Statement

“In 2011, working with the Partnership for a Healthier America, we made a commitment to reduce the overall calorie and sodium footprints of our menus. We appreciate PHA’s partnership on this project and are pleased with our five-year results. Over this period, Darden has reduced our enterprise-wide calorie and sodium footprints by 9.2% and 19.3% respectively. For our largest brand, Olive Garden, those reductions are 12.8% and 22.6% respectively.

"We also committed to enhance the nutrition credentials of our children’s menus – a commitment we met in 2012 when we released new children’s menus. Fruits or vegetables are now the default side, 1% milk is promoted and soda is no longer displayed on our children’s menus – changes made to help make the healthy choice the easy choice. In addition, at least one children’s menu option meets specific criteria regarding calories, sodium and fat.

"We also have invested considerable resources in enhancing our nutrition analysis capabilities, which is critical to helping us refine our menus as we continue our work to meet the needs of our guests.”