When Olive Garden launched their new delivery service nationally, the opportunity was clear, but so was the challenge. In a world where third-party apps had become the default, and the category was flooded with options,
WE HAD TO BUILD AWARENESS FROM SCRATCH AND CONVINCE GUESTS THAT DIRECT DELIVERY WASN’T JUST AVAILABLE — IT WAS BETTER.
Getting food delivered is convenient, but often contact-less and emotion-less. It’s the very definition of a transactional exchange.
CONSUMERS WOULD NEVER EXPECT TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT PLACING A DELIVERY ORDER.
So we accepted the challenge and leaned into what people already crave from Olive Garden: warmth, familiarity and comfort.
By pairing a first-to-market improved delivery model with a brand built on hospitality and warmth,
WE TURNED A TRANSACTIONAL SERVICE INTO AN EMOTIONAL EXTENSION OF WHAT PEOPLE ALREADY LOVE ABOUT OLIVE GARDEN.
This wasn’t just another delivery partnership. Olive Garden became the first national restaurant brand to launch Uber Direct without appearing on Uber Eats. That meant guests got the same menu and the same generous portions, all without the bloat of third-party platforms.
We delivered warmth — literally. Through online video, paid social, display and email, we introduced Olive Garden Delivery in a way that felt seamless and familiar — reminding guests that the food they loved could now come straight to their door, no compromises necessary.
The result was a campaign that didn’t just drive incremental orders. It strengthened the emotional connection between brand and guest by showing that Olive Garden could meet them wherever they are, even if that’s the couch.
With a first-of-its-kind Uber Direct partnership, we made getting your Olive Garden favorites easier, faster and friendlier than ever.
"It was important for us to address this guest need without disrupting the team member or guest experience. We feel really good about the communication and where we’re going on delivery itself."
6.9% LIFT IN SAME STORE SALES
FOLLOWING LAUNCH OF DELIVERY
3.5% OF ALL Q4 SALES
WERE DELIVERY ORDERS
45%-50%
OF SALES WERE
INCREMENTAL
20% INCREASE
IN CHECK SIZE
