The Italian restaurant chain will close all 900 locations on Thanksgiving and Christmas to give employees time with their families
Olive Garden has announced a significant change to its holiday operations that will affect diners planning to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas at the popular Italian restaurant chain. All 900 locations across the United States will remain closed on both Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day this year, marking a deliberate shift in the company’s approach to holiday scheduling.
The decision means families hoping to enjoy endless breadsticks, soup and salad on November 27 for Thanksgiving or December 25 for Christmas will need to make alternative dining arrangements. The closure applies uniformly across the chain’s extensive network of restaurants throughout the country.
Company emphasizes family values for staff
According to information posted on Olive Garden’s website, the closures are designed to allow employees the opportunity to spend these important holidays with their own families and friends. The move reflects a growing trend among major retailers and restaurant chains that are reconsidering the traditional practice of remaining open during major holidays.
The restaurant chain’s decision aligns with its longtime slogan about treating guests like family, extending that philosophy to its workforce by ensuring team members can enjoy quality time with their loved ones during two of the year’s most significant family-oriented holidays.
Some locations may have different schedules
While the closure applies to all domestic locations in the continental United States, Olive Garden noted that restaurants situated in Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico, along with international locations, may operate on different schedules. Customers planning to visit Olive Garden locations in these areas should contact their local restaurant directly to confirm holiday hours and availability.
The company also issued an additional advisory for guests hoping to dine the day before each holiday. Individual Olive Garden locations may close early on November 26 and Christmas Eve, depending on customer traffic and business volume throughout the day. These early closure decisions will be made at the discretion of each restaurant’s management team based on local conditions.
Planning ahead recommended for holiday dining
To avoid disappointment, Olive Garden strongly encourages customers to call their preferred location before visiting on the days immediately preceding Thanksgiving and Christmas. This advance planning can help ensure diners aren’t caught off guard by unexpected early closures or modified hours of operation.
Regular operating hours will resume the day after each holiday. Olive Garden locations will reopen on November 28, the day following Thanksgiving, and on December 26, the day after Christmas. From those dates forward, restaurants will maintain their standard hours throughout the remainder of the holiday season.
Broader trend among major retailers emerges
Olive Garden joins a growing list of prominent companies that have made similar decisions to close on major holidays. Retail giants including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Costco and Trader Joe’s have all implemented policies to remain closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, reflecting an industry-wide shift toward prioritizing employee wellness and work-life balance.
This movement represents a departure from the retail and restaurant industry’s historical approach of maximizing holiday sales opportunities. Companies are increasingly recognizing that giving employees time off during these occasions can improve morale, reduce burnout and demonstrate corporate values that resonate with both workers and customers.
Alternative Italian dining options available
Diners who have their hearts set on Italian cuisine for their holiday meals still have options. Several other Italian restaurant chains are expected to maintain regular operations on both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Bravo! Italian Kitchen and Brio Italian Grill are anticipated to be open on Thanksgiving, while Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Brio Italian Grill should welcome guests on Christmas Day. Buca di Beppo is also expected to operate on Thanksgiving.
However, given the fluid nature of holiday scheduling decisions, calling ahead to confirm hours and availability at any restaurant remains the wisest course of action. Individual franchise locations may make different decisions about holiday operations based on local circumstances and staffing considerations.
Early planning prevents holiday disappointments
With the holiday season approaching quickly, making dining reservations and confirming restaurant hours sooner rather than later can help families avoid last-minute scrambling or disappointment. The landscape of holiday dining options continues to evolve as more companies reassess their holiday policies, making advance verification increasingly important for anyone planning to dine out during Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Story credit: AOL
