OLIVE Garden has launched a surprising new pasta-related items, but they’re not edible.
The restaurant chain revealed its additions for summer earlier this month, and consumers will have a chance to get them in just days.
Olive Garden is launching some new summer items (stock image)[/caption]
They’re supposed to be used in the pool rather than being eaten (stock image)[/caption]
In a unique play on Olive Garden’s many “noodle” offerings on menus at over 940 locations nationwide, it’s launching various pool noodle designs to be used to kick back and cool off, per a press release provided to The US Sun.
The floats come in various designs alongside a limited-edition merchandise collection.
There’s the Floatin’ Fettuccine, Takin’ It Easy Tortelloni, and Relaxin’ Rigatoni.
Each float costs $40 and is shaped differently.
For example, the Floatin’ Fettuccine is completely flat, letting pool-goers lay back across it, similar to how the chicken would in the edible entree served at Olive Garden.
The Takin’ It Easy Tortelloni has an open seating area and the Relaxin’ Rigatoni has a hollowed out middle for lying inside, similar to how a scoop of sauce or cheese would.
Interested customers can only get the floats through Olive Garden’s website starting on June 30 at 2 pm ET.
Except, eager fans who sign up for the chain’s eClub loyalty program can get early access a few days earlier on June 26 at 10 am ET.
MORE MERCH
Additionally, all the pool float purchases include free shipping and a bonus “first course.”
The “first course” includes the option of a free breadstick-themed bucket hat (Breadsticks Bucket Hat), tote bags inspired by soup (Soup-er Summer Vibes Totes Bag), or lettuce-like floating drink holders (Lettuce Chill Floating Drink Holder).
Some customers are already ready to buy the Olive Garden pool floats as soon as possible, even if they don’t have access to a pool at their home.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever have a pool, but the intense feeling of need I have for the tortellini float cannot be put into words!” a longtime Olive Garden fan wrote in a Facebook thread.
This also isn’t the first time a food company has made items to use at the pool or beach in the summer.
Cheez-It, Eggo, Pop-Tart, and Rice Krispie all have pool toys that are inspired by their snacks.
Olive Garden has always been known for going big — big portions, big value, and never-ending first courses. This summer, we’re bringing that same spirit of abundance to the pool.
Jaime Bunker
Retail giants like Target and Walmart sell them for around $20.
COLOR CONTROVERSY
Olive Garden’s release of the summer merchandise comes not long after it made a controversial change.
In May, several employees noted that management had decided to require a certain uniform while working.
This included white button-up shirts, with the color causing some serious frustrations among staffers.
“They get stained so bad. Black didn’t have a problem,” a worker fumed in a thread on Reddit.
“White shirts are terrible for the food industry,” another added.
A third said they were “scared” that the white shirts could be required at their Olive Garden location soon.
It’s unclear if the move is being rolled out for employees at restaurants nationwide or this is an isolated decision.
Olive Garden did not immediately respond to The US Sun’s request for comment.
The restaurant chain also revived a deal customers haven’t seen in five years earlier this spring.
A fan even shared how to get a full meal with a drink for a budget-friendly price of $6.99.
