Olive Garden's Redesign Bids Farewell to Fake Old-World Charm

If you visit an Olive Garden this month, you might get a whiff of change. The Italian food chain has begun rolling out its redesigned décor and logo—a two-course re-branding effort to ditch its cheesy reputation for one that’s slightly more sophisticated, albeit still family-friendly.

The overhaul is part of a “brand renaissance” announced last March by Darden Restaurants, Olive Garden’s parent company, and the effort includes smaller lunch portions, faster dine-in service, and online ordering. A logo update, the first in more than 15 years, and an interior remodel are the visual signals of Darden’s strategy to win back customers lost to such fast-casual brands as Chipotle and Panera Bread, which offer freshly prepared food at lower prices.