ComplaintsforDarden Restaurants, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  04/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I ordered three to-go entrees, with two containing shrimp at the ************ location. Both of the shrimp dishes contained uncooked shrimp. As a result of eating some of the uncooked shrimp, I became ill during the night and early morning. I was prescribed medication for food poisoning due to nausea, diarrhea, and dehydration. Besides the undercooked meals, I received spaghetti with a label on it to refrigerate and microwave directions. I didn't order frozen food. I ordered expected freshly cooked food. I suspect that the other two entrees were supposed to have the same label as the spaghetti, but someone failed to put the uncooked stickers on the containers.

  Business response

  04/16/2024

  We're sorry to learn of their disappointing experience and appreciate the opportunity to address these concerns. We are processing a refund in the original forms of payment (credit card and gift card). It can take several business days for the credit to appear on their online statement.

  Customer response

  04/16/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is partially satisfactory to me. I will be contacting the corporate office to discuss further regarding the negative affect on my health. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  04/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My wife, who is expecting, contacted me on April 9, 2024, to arrange lunch at the local Olive Garden in ********. We agreed to meet there at 2:00pm. She arrived at the restaurant and parked her car precisely at 1:36pm. Upon arrival, she proceeded to the front desk to make a reservation for our planned time. I arrived at 1:56pm, and after meeting briefly with my wife, she went to retrieve a sweater from the car. To our dismay, we discovered that her car had been towed by the restaurant, purportedly because she briefly left to meet me.We approached the restaurant manager, ***** to address the situation. Unfortunately, Mr. **** was disrespectful and refused to listen to our explanation. Despite our efforts to reason with both the manager and the tow truck personnel, our pleas fell on deaf ears. Concerned for my wife's well-being, I reluctantly paid $136 to retrieve the car, and she was unable to enjoy her meal.It appears that the restaurant manager, Mr. ***** is associated with the towing company and may be benefiting financially from this unethical practice of trapping patrons and towing their cars without just cause. I urge authorities to investigate this matter and take appropriate action to rectify this illegal enterprise.

  Business response

  04/10/2024

  We appreciate the opportunity to clarify this situation. We do not own the parking lot for this location and have no affiliation with the towing services. The towing company has signs posted throughout the lot warning anyone leaving the premises is subject to being towed. The individual, ****, mentioned in this complaint is not employed or affiliated with Olive Garden, but works with the towing company. This is a matter to address with the towing company.

• Initial Complaint

  04/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My significant other & I dined here, in what was supposed to be a special occasion. However, the experience there was absolutely anything but that. I've been to Capital Grille locations across the Country & unfortunately, this is the one I'm least impressed with. Every other location follows a strict dress code & doesn't allow guests to dine in athletic wear & regular clothes, this location did though. We were dressed properly & to see other guests not following the dress code & not being asked to return in the **************. was disheartening. The staff was exactly professional in demeanor & this experience didn't even feel as if, I were dining at a Capital Grille. It felt as if I were at a Fridays or something of that type. The food wasn't good & having been to many locations, I know what Capital Grille is capable of. I emailed Capital *************************** took them an absurd amount of time to properly forward my email, to the correct people. When I finally heard from the Manager, they offered a.gidt card for less than half of what I spent. I openly conveyed my dissatisfaction with the amount & was told. It was already in the mail. The Manager didn't mention anything about the fact, that the marketing card/ gift card he sent, expired not long after I received it. Why this wasn't mentioned or was even given an expiration date at all, especially one within weeks of when I received it, was baffling. The card expired and I emailed Capital Grille again, informing them that it expired & was therefore unusable. I offered them all of the information associated with the card, if needed, to send me a new one, without an expiration date. They conveyed I would have to mail it to ******* and then whenever they received it, they would process it and mail me a new one. I was attempting to work with the Manager originally, towards an amicable resolution, but this entire experience is a charade. I want a refund.

  Business response

  04/12/2024

  Thank you for giving us the chance to address your lingering concerns, *****. We apologize not only about the visit you and your significant other had with ** back in October, but also with the amends that were offered. Your delight remains important to us and we will be reaching out at the email address you provided to continue the conversation. We are happy to process the requested refund.

   

  Customer response

  04/18/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ************

• Initial Complaint

  04/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The staff was extremely rude and rushed our entire Dinner. This was the case with other guests as well. Our appetizers were brought out and not even halfway through it, our entrees were brought out. Shortly after we were asked about dessert. The bartender was complaining about making us and other.guests drinks, conveying that they already put everything away, even though it was well over a half an hour before closing. The food was rushed and not cooked properly at all. The overall service was just lackluster and disappointing. It was blatantly obvious, the staff wanted to leave either exactly on time or possibly even before, as they were ******* all of the guests and encouraging items that could be prepared very fast. It was abhorrent and extremely uncomfortable. I contacted the Manager, who didn't get the message/email for Months and then tried to tell me, "it's over 90 days so I can't do anything". I emphatically this is entirely incorrect and as the Manager, they have the ability to remedy things regardless of the time frame. Especially, when the fact it was responded to so late, was the restaurants fault, not mine. There was no proper apology or accountability of any kind. I even stated I had even left some of the information out, regarding the bartender and staffs demeanor, as to not get people in trouble. This was basically overlooked and I stated I just wanted a refund. I had just traveled halfway across the Country and then having to deal with all of this, was a nightmare. I want a refund.

  Business response

  04/08/2024

  Our Guest Relations will communicate with the operations leadership and  follow up with the guest within the next 48hrs.

• Initial Complaint

  04/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been a customer of the ******* ** location since opening, i am a frequent customer who often does curbside at least 3 times a week at times. I am very well known to the staff and always friendly as well as tip each time i am there. I know all the ********************* whom has since left for another location, ***** and *** who have always been exceptional to me and my family. I have never had an issue or experience like this past week and i am quite frankly offended, disgusted and humiliated. I ordered curbside my usual and because i had a free appetizer card i did not do curbside, the card was given due to mishaps with my previous order which have occurred a few times but *** have always made good to handle the situation. I proceed to go inside to pick up my food and learned my order was never submitted, then the staff put the order in and i am waiting an excessive amount of time and longer than usual, the waiter says the manager ***** would like to speak to you and 7 minutes later ***** comes from the back with a paper in his hand, he comes and shows me a paper that i am attaching and says we cant serve you because you did not pay the last check, now other customers are looking and i am embarrassed as well as humiliated. I said I have never came here and not paid and ironically whenever i place an order i always screenshot the confirmation, i told him i will pull up the screenshot as im sure i have it and he steps away and after searching i found it, i stood in this pick up area for literally 45 minutes, i show him the screen shot which i am also attaching to this complaint that shows i paid. No he is puzzled because on this sheet of paper he shows me and the staff stating" do not serve *********************** until she pay". Not a explanation, no apology nothing, and at this point i did not even want my food any longer or give my hard earned money to this establishment. I kindly walked out to never return. I call back and ask for the ** who is **** and was told hes not there.

  Business response

  04/08/2024

  Our Guest Relations will communicate with the operations leadership and  follow up with the guest within the next 48hrs.

• Initial Complaint

  04/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  3/31 - Decided to go and have dinner at Olive garden and once we got there we noticed is wasnt too busy for a sunday. Once we were walked to our table we immediately noticed it was in an undesirable location right next to a rolling rack with dirty dishes. We asked the host if we could be seated at a booth towards the window that was open. She hesitated but said sure. Once we got to the booth before we sat down she said and for future reference you need to let us know ahead of time if you want a booth. we let her know we usually get asked ahead of time if we had a preference before we get seated. She then said that they were not aloud to ask that question anymore since some people are too big to fit in a booth so they rather just use tables to not make things awkward. So my question is does everyone that walks in here and doesnt appear to be small enough automatically get seated at a table? Why is there so much discrimination against bigger people wanting a booth? Then our actual server said we werent aloud to share salads if I didnt order one? The whole experience was very odd and unpleasant.

  Business response

  04/02/2024

  Please note this complaint indicates "No further contact by the business". 

  We appreciate the feedback, but to further address the issues we'd need to know details such as the date and time of this visit and the location of this restaurant. This consumer is welcome to contact us at *************************************** if they wish to discuss this further.

• Initial Complaint

  03/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My fianc and I eat often at the Olive Garden in ***** **.I have two issues, that have happened now on almost every visit. The salad plates are not just warm, but sometimes HOT! What has happened to hot food hot and cold foods cold! Putting the salad on these plates makes the salad Yuck. One of your known for items is ruined. Servers say they just came out of the dishwasher and we dont have enough. Get some more plates!!!! ..,and put the washed ones right into the freezer! I too was in the restaurant business for a very long time, and the 101 of the restaurant was, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold! Cmon, stop pinching on the price of doing business,Secondly and most recently on 3/26, we arrived right at 8 pm. We wanted to sit in the bar area to see the ** and the games being played. Upon being seated we walked past all the chairs in the middle and up on the bar! I asked the hostess, why are all these chairs up on the tables. They are sweeping a bit and will get this in a minute . NOT..,sat through our dinner looking at chair legs up in the air, on the bar etc. For curiousity I looked into the open part of the dining room(s) and saw all the center tables also with the chairs up on the tables..,,all the customers in the side booths also got an atmosphere that shouldnt be less than what is normal for the restaurant. Frankly it was disgusting. I asked our waiter about this ( who was very good), and he stated that corporate was getting harder on them to reduce labor etc etc. WOW! The location is next door to a VERY busy ***** Roadhouse. I see their parking lot full all the timebut not the Olive Garden???? Add to this, initially my salad had no tomatoes, the waiter said the person who does the tomatoes didnt leave any sliced. I said give me a tomato Ill slice myself. He soon came back with some sliced. Then my fianc asked for onions..,waiter said we dont have any. So sadsave this place Check # *****

  Business response

  03/29/2024

  We are sorry to learn of this guest's experience, and appreciate the opportunity to address. We've been in touch by email and have issued a refund for the visit.

  Customer response

  03/29/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  03/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I called the *************** location to report that my Discover card had been run twice. Once for $16.52 which is valid for order number ************ check number ******. Then there is a second charge for $16.28 which is invalid and should never have been charged. When I called the location I was put on hold for 10 minutes and forgotten about then transferred to the manager again. Finally someone came on the line and said he was the manager and I told him the situation and he put me on hold to go to the office computer and a different guy with an accent answered the phone said he was the manager, ******. ****** proceeded to call me sir multiple times despite telling him I am a woman. He told me he was unable to locate the charge I am disputing because there is no check number associated with it. I can see the charge on my credit card so I was clearly charged. I need a refund for the fraudulent charge. I also don't believe that I was ever actually speaking to the manager, which is a separate issue.

  Business response

  04/08/2024

  Our corporate team was in contact with the consumer on 3/27 - 3/29.  After gathering details from the consumer, we researched the transactions and found the issue was due to underpayment of a previous order and it was communicated as follows on 3/29:  

  "Thanks for those screenshots. I was able to look into this further for you and the good news is that neither of those charges are double or fraudulent charges. For your visit with us on 3/9, only 2 gift cards (totaling $16.28) were applied to your check which is why the team needed to run your card to pay for the remaining balance of your order, which was $35.46. For your visit on 3/23, only 1 gift card (totaling $8.61) was applied to your check, causing you to have a remaining balance owed of $32.80. I'm not sure why the charge was split into two charges, but those two charges you're seeing add up to the amount that was left over after using your gift card. I'm sorry for any confusion this may have caused."

  Additionally, we provided the consumer with an eCard as a gesture of goodwill.  The card may redeemed at any of our restaurants as well as our sister brands.  

• Initial Complaint

  03/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I would like to complain about a misleading charge for tablet usage that I received at the Cheddars Restuarnt on 5450 **************************************************************I ate at this location on Saturday March 23 with my wife and child and the situation I am writing about has to do with the tablet device that is placed on all the tables at the restaurant. As my group was seated at the booth my child sat in front of the tablet and began using it during our time at the restaurant. After we ate and it was time to check out i noticed a $2.99 charge on my bill for "Table Games" and notified the waiter to dispute. The waiter was able to make any changes and involved a manager to help with the resolution.The manager explained that there is an advisory notice on the tablet of the $2.99 charge and that is presented three times before its actually added. My issue with this practice is that I as the parent never saw the screen as my child was seated on the opposite side of the booth. My child being anxious to play the games quickly clicked through the advisory screens to get to the game. Second there needs to be better controls in place to ensure that an authorized adult can review and accept the charges associated with tablet usage. ****** *** was sued by the *** for billing customers for charges incurred by children without parental consent and this situation is no different.*************************************************************************************************************************************************************** I feel this is a serious issue because if this happened to me I am sure that it is happening to many other guests that have children and I am sure that many of the impacted population pay the bill as it is a small charge and they do not review the itemized statement.I would like to either see that Cheddars removes the charges associated with tablet usage, or implement a process to ensure that only an adult can authorize the charge.

  Business response

  03/28/2024

  Thank you for dining with us last weekend with your family.  We apologize about the game charge you incurred through our tabletop Ziosk devices. All the features are complimentary with the exception of the game feature. From your note, it's clear the warning messages related to the $2.99 game charge were not clear enough for you and we appreciate you sharing this feedback with us.  We frequently review feedback like yours so we can better understand how to improve the experience.  We never want a charge to take you by surprise and we promise to revisit how we can provide more clarity to the charges associated with activating the device games.  Thanks again for sharing what happened.

  Customer response

  03/28/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

• Initial Complaint

  03/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Greetings,I contacted longhorn steakhouse immediately after noticing that my Parmesan Chicken was severely undercooked. I patiently waited for the manager who did not give me his name. Instead he informed me to text him a picture of the food received and an email to send a gift card. I received no apology over the phone for the inconvenience of the meal being unsatisfactory. I was promised a gift card that would be sent via email, however it is now end of day Tuesday and I have not received it. At this point I am requesting a full refund for the having to follow-up on an issue that should have been resolved same day. Please see the pictures that will show the call place to Longhorn Steakhouse, the text thread between the manager and myself as well as a photo of the undercooked chicken.

  Business response

  03/21/2024

  Our Guest Relations will  follow up with the guest within the next 24hrs.

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