Founded in 1982, Olive Garden is owned by Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI), the world's largest company-owned and operated full-service restaurant company. With more than 800 restaurants, more than 92,000 employees and more than $3.5 billion in annual sales, Olive Garden is the leading restaurant in the Italian casual dining segment. Italy serves as the inspiration for the brand, from its menus to its award-winning wine list to the Tuscan farmhouse design of its restaurants. Most of all, Olive Garden is inspired by the warmth and genuine hospitality of the Italian people, as well as the importance of family in their culture. This passion for Italy led to the establishment of Olive Garden's Culinary Institute of Tuscany in 1999. Read more