Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 14
Olive Garden Tops 3 Age Groups in YouGov Survey as Gen Z Picks Chili's by 0.9 Points
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 14

Olive Garden Tops 3 Age Groups in YouGov Survey as Gen Z Picks Chili's by 0.9 Points

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 14

Summary

  • 33.8% of adults 65 and older said they would consider Olive Garden next, putting it ahead of Texas Roadhouse, Applebee's, Cracker Barrel and Outback in YouGov's casual-dining ranking.
  • Olive Garden also led among millennials and Gen X, making it the most-considered chain across three age groups; only Gen Z broke the pattern, favoring Chili's 29.6% to 28.7%.
  • 12.8% of all Americans surveyed ranked Olive Garden highest for service and 12.1% for dining experience, reinforcing its edge beyond simple brand recognition.
  • Morning Consult's 2026 analysis likewise put Olive Garden first for family outings at 40%, not wanting to cook at 37% and generous portions at 32%, suggesting broad appeal as diners grow more selective.

Insights

Why did Gen Z crown a different restaurant champion, and what does that mean for the future of casual dining?
Can the promise of unlimited breadsticks and nostalgia truly shield a dining empire from a tightening economy?
Are those famously generous portions quietly shrinking behind the scenes to offset rising industry costs?