Darden Restaurants Customer Service Issues

I would like to share my recent experiences at Cheddars Scratch Restaurant in Gainesville, GA. Twice in the last two months, we have faced issues with long wait times despite the restaurant not being at full capacity. Last night (4/26/18), we arrived at 7:20 pm to find a half-empty parking lot, yet a full interior with customers waiting to be seated. This is the second time we have encountered this situation in a month, with sections of the restaurant closed and many tables unoccupied. Despite our love for Cheddars and willingness to drive 45 miles to dine there while visiting our son, these repeated incidences have led us to spend more money elsewhere due to the wait times. I have also attempted to file a complaint on the Cheddars website but encountered technical difficulties. Your attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Andrea.

I recently contacted a representative at [redacted] to order a Longhorn Gift Card, and unfortunately, both my mother, Dolores B. I., and I, Mary B. I., were spoken to in a condescending manner. The person, who only identified themselves as "Erica" and refused to provide a last name, was located in Michigan. The call took place today at 1:40 p.m. on Tuesday, 12-18-18. "Erica" accused my mother of shouting, which was not the case, and displayed a negative attitude towards us throughout the conversation. It would be beneficial if this call was recorded so that higher management could assess the situation. We expect an apology or for "Erica" to be reassigned to a non-customer-facing role. My mother is a frequent diner at your establishments, spending around $2,[redacted] annually. I believe addressing this incident promptly and professionally is crucial to avoid negative feedback on platforms like YELP or TripAdvisor. Please reach out to us at [redacted]. Thank you for addressing this matter appropriately. -Sincerely, Dolores and Mary B. I.

[redacted] Alvarado Avenue, Stockton, California, [redacted] ([redacted])-[redacted] June 12th, [redacted] Dear Bank of America, My name is William, and I represent Y’AL (Youth Advocacy Leaders). We are a group of 10 young individuals who gather weekly to address the increasing violence in Stockton. Since February, we've been striving to make positive changes in our community. Our main focus is to raise awareness and combat gang and gun violence. On June 28th, we are organizing an event to shed light on this issue. We kindly ask for your support through donations, which will cover essential items such as food, paper products, and gift cards for the event. Your contribution will also be used for activities like raffles. As a non-profit organization, we aim to improve our city collaboratively. If you are interested in contributing, please respond to this email or reach out to us via the provided phone number. Thank you for your consideration, and we hope you have a wonderful day! Regards, Y’AL Advocates

I find the self-checkout kiosks at Walmart to be subpar. I am a loyal customer who values the excellent food and service I receive at Darden restaurants. It is disappointing that the company is pushing self-checkout as a convenience when it is not. I hope Darden does not want to be associated with the reputation of Walmart. Despite my previous complaints, nothing has been done on a corporate level to address this issue. I believe that going to Olive Garden should be a step up, not a downgrade. I am displeased when I am expected to self-checkout, especially after being promised otherwise by a previous manager. With the introduction of a new manager, I have experienced more errors, but the wait staff always rectifies them. If the trend of self-checkout continues, I may reconsider spending my money at this establishment.

On December 8, [redacted], I ordered a $50 gift card from Olive Garden Gift Cards online. The website promised delivery within 5-7 business days with free shipping. With the holidays approaching, I expected a slight delay. It's now been 15 days, and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Despite contacting Olive Garden Gift Cards on December 19, where I was assured it would arrive by the 20th or 21st, it's now the 23rd and still no sign of it. After being on hold for over an hour, I can't wait any longer. I plan to purchase a gift card from a local grocery store during lunch and deliver it myself. Meanwhile, I also need assistance in obtaining a refund.

I recently received two $25 Darden gift cards from Healthy Blue Rewards. When my husband and I tried to use both cards at our local Olive Garden, we found out they had the same card and pin number. The restaurant manager resolved the issue by asking us to pay an additional $25. I contacted Healthy Blue Rewards, but they only admitted their mistake without offering a solution. The Olive Garden manager suggested reaching out to Darden for assistance. As this error was not on our part, I believe it would be fair to receive a $25 Darden gift card as a goodwill gesture. Thank you. Jane Greenfield

Hello, I am Yolanda M., a 21-year-old second-year Drama student from the Eastern Cape now residing in Durban, KZN. I recently became a finalist in the Miss Luminous South Africa pageant, a non-profit organization that aims to cultivate future leaders and promote social responsibility among young people. I am reaching out for fundraising support to assist young girls struggling to access sanitary pads, a common issue exacerbating depression. Additionally, during these challenging times, I aim to provide food for those facing hunger through distributing soup and bread. Your contribution, no matter how small, can greatly impact those in need and make a positive change within our communities. Together, let's combat poverty and uplift those around us. For more information or to contribute, please contact me at [redacted] Thank you.

I would like to share our recent disappointing experience at Longhorn Steakhouse. While vacationing with friends who frequent the restaurant, we suggested dining there to showcase its quality food. Unfortunately, out of the six steaks we ordered, three were not cooked properly despite being requested at medium doneness. The manager took one steak back to the kitchen but it never returned, leading to an awkward situation where our friend was left without a meal while we finished ours. When we raised our concerns, the waitress mentioned a policy that prevented the manager from adjusting charges. As a retired member of Darden Inc., my husband was surprised by this policy and requested the manager address the situation. However, the manager never returned to our table, leaving us feeling embarrassed by the whole ordeal. Our experience at the Harrisonburg location on October 20th was far from enjoyable, and we hope management takes steps to improve their service quality.

At the Yardhouse restaurant in Lancaster/Palmdale, California, a Darden restaurant, there is a policy of not automatically adding a tip for parties over a certain size. This has been frustrating for my daughter, who works as a waitress there. Recently, she had a table of 8 with a bill exceeding $[redacted] and was only given a $20 tip. As a hardworking waitress, she relies on tips to make a living. It's disheartening for her to receive such low tips from large parties, especially when she is known for providing excellent service. I hope that restaurants like Yardhouse will consider making tipping 15-20% mandatory for larger groups to ensure fair compensation for their staff members.

As a previous team member, I realize my mistakes and sincerely apologize to the Darden team. I am currently working at a different restaurant in Madison, TN, and have come to understand the saying "you never know what you've got 'til it's gone." It has been nearly four months, and I truly miss the fulfillment I had at the [redacted] location in Madison, TN. I am eager for an opportunity to demonstrate my commitment to being a long-term member of the Darden family.

My family and I went to your Longhorn restaurant on Talmage in Toledo, Ohio, on October 18. Sadly, our seating experience was disappointing. We gathered for my mother's 80th birthday, a party of 11. We were prepared to wait but were told only one table was available. Even if we could be split into two close tables, we agreed. However, after waiting over an hour, we were seated far apart, which was disheartening for a celebratory occasion. The staff member, Kim, was unhelpful and seated us separately, unlike a group that arrived after us and got seated together. I know the restaurant can accommodate larger groups based on my previous visits and how they managed other parties. It was frustrating and upsetting to not have a proper celebration after spending $[redacted]. Unfortunately, I won't recommend this location for larger parties in the future.

Hello, I am Keyonnabrown. I recently started working at a Darden restaurant in Lansing, Michigan. Upon joining, I noticed some drama and favoritism among my colleagues, Douglas and Jake. I overheard them gossiping about me with other servers, specifically mentioning a situation with a customer named Michelle. I feel this behavior is unprofessional and unwarranted, particularly since I am still new to the team. Despite my familiarity with company policies, I have observed inconsistencies in enforcement, especially regarding credit card checks. The lack of support from management during busy shifts and the disrespectful behavior of long-term employees like Michelle and Keri are concerning. The selective treatment and favoritism shown towards certain staff members like assigning preferred sections irk me. I am disheartened by the lack of fairness and professionalism in the workplace, leading me to share my experience with the company.

Subject: Report of Harassment at Olive Garden by Ava Calhoun in Beavercreek, Ohio I want to report an ongoing issue of harassment I have been experiencing at Olive Garden in Beavercreek, Ohio, particularly from an employee named Ava Calhoun. From June 1 until now, I, identified here as Alex, have faced consistent mistreatment from a group of workers led by Ava Calhoun. The harassment has taken the form of verbal abuse, derogatory remarks, exclusion, and intimidation, creating a hostile work environment that has impacted my emotional well-being and job performance negatively. Incident Description: 1. Verbal Abuse: Multiple colleagues, under Ava Calhoun's leadership, have regularly engaged in verbal attacks towards me, using hurtful language and offensive comments about mental health in front of others. 2. Derogatory Comments: I have been subjected to hurtful comments regarding my mental health, appearance, and abilities publicly, aimed at belittling me. 3. Exclusion: The group has purposefully left me out of social events, team-building exercises, and crucial work discussions, further isolating and marginalizing me. 4. Intimidation: Certain individuals in the group have intimidated me through hostile body language and threats to create fear and prevent me from reporting the harassment. Impact on Me: The continued harassment has taken a toll on my mental health and work performance, leading to heightened stress, anxiety, and decreased productivity. My job satisfaction has decreased, affecting my professional development and morale negatively. Recommended Steps: 1. Disciplinary Action: Those responsible for the harassment must face appropriate disciplinary measures following an investigation. 2. Employee Training: Mandatory anti-harassment training is necessary for all staff to promote a respectful workplace environment. 3. Policy Review: Olive Garden should update and reinforce its anti-harassment policies, ensuring clarity and inclusivity while providing adequate support for employees reporting such behavior.

Dear Community Members, I wanted to share my recent experience at Longhorn Steakhouse. Despite being a fan of the restaurant, my visit last Friday was disappointing. We were not attended to promptly, and as closing time approached, we were served hastily with few patrons left. As a former Longhorn employee, I understand the challenges of closing time and didn't want to overstay. I requested a to-go box, paid, tipped, and left but forgot the box on the table. When I contacted the restaurant, I encountered an unhelpful manager named Steve. Despite offering to provide my card number for proof of purchase, he insisted on a physical receipt, which I didn't have. This interaction left me disheartened. I believe my request for a replacement meal or gift card matching my spending was reasonable, given the circumstances. I hope to see a more customer-friendly approach from Longhorn and Darden in the future. Thank you.

After a 4 or 5-year break from dining at the Long Horn in Erie, PA, my spouse and I chose to celebrate our 44th anniversary there. Unfortunately, it was a mistake. Despite no issue with seating due to it being a Friday, our experience was disappointing. Shortly after being seated, a young waitress took our drink order and appetizer (shrimp). Surprisingly, our appetizer arrived promptly, followed by our salad within 2 minutes. I asked her to ensure we finished both before bringing our entrees, but she had already placed the order. To my dismay, our main dishes arrived before we were even halfway through the salad and appetizer. This rushed service was frustrating. Additionally, my broccoli was undercooked, and it took a while to get a tea refill. The rushed meal and chaotic service ruined what should have been a special night.