Will the never ending pasta pass come back?

The never ending pasta pass from Olive Garden was a huge hit when it debuted in 2014, allowing buyers to enjoy unlimited pasta, soup, salad and breadsticks for 7 weeks. Foodies rejoiced at the chance to indulge in carb-loaded Italian classics to their heart’s content. But after quickly selling out each year, the never ending pasta pass was discontinued in 2018. Since then, pasta lovers have been left wondering – will the never ending pasta pass ever come back?

What was the never ending pasta pass?

The never ending pasta pass first went on sale in September 2014 and cost $100. The pass granted holders unlimited access to unlimited servings of pasta, soup or salad, and breadsticks for 7 weeks from the day of activation. The only catch was that the pasta pass could only be used at the Olive Garden location it was purchased from. Still, for passionate pasta fans, it represented an unbelievable opportunity to satisfy even the strongest Italian food cravings.

The first batch of 1,000 pasta passes sold out in less than 45 minutes. Their popularity inspired Olive Garden to release an additional 21,000 passes shortly after. Those sold out very quickly as well. In fact, the never ending pasta passes turned into a viral sensation on social media, with buyers bragging about getting their hands on the coveted passes.

Why did Olive Garden discontinue the never ending pasta pass?

Given how rapidly the never ending pasta passes sold out each year, it may be puzzling why Olive Garden decided to discontinue them. However, the pasta passes actually became victims of their own success.

According to Olive Garden executives, the never ending pasta pass promotion was discontinued for the following reasons:

  • It was too popular – Each year, all available pasta passes sold out almost instantly. Many customers were left frustrated and empty-handed.
  • Operational challenges – Allowing thousands of customers to enjoy unlimited pasta put a huge strain on restaurant operations and staff.
  • Profit margins – Although the pasta pass generated buzz, Olive Garden did not actually make much money from the $100 price.
  • Abuse by customers – Some pasta pass holders tried to share their passes or use them multiple times a day, going far beyond the spirit of the promotion.

In the end, the unsustainable nature of the never ending pasta pass meant Olive Garden decided to pull the plug on it and look for more viable promotions that customers would still enjoy.

Will the pasta pass make a return?

Since the never ending pasta pass was discontinued in 2018, Olive Garden has given no indication that they plan to bring it back. The company has moved on to feature different promotions, like its popular Buy One, Take One offer.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the pasta pass is gone forever. For starters, many loyal Olive Garden patrons still ask about it and reminisce fondly on social media. Bringing it back would likely create a lot of buzz once again. Additionally, with nearly 900 Olive Garden locations across North America, the operational issues could perhaps be addressed if it was rolled out on a more limited basis rather than nationwide.

Nonetheless, any return of the never ending pasta pass would likely come with some revisions to resolve the challenges of the original promotion. Possible changes could include:

  • A higher price – $200 or more – to limit number sold and increase profit margins
  • Only valid Monday-Thursday to avoid peak weekend demand
  • Strict 1 or 2 uses per day to prevent abuse by customers
  • Only available at specific locations rather than nationwide

Making adjustments such as these could allow Olive Garden to bring back the never ending pasta pass on a more controlled, limited scale. While not confirmed, it remains a possibility in the future if there is enough interest from customers.

What customers say about the pasta pass potentially returning

Looking at comments online, it’s clear there is still plenty of demand among patrons for Olive Garden to resurrect the never ending pasta pass:

  • “I’ll be first in line if they ever bring this back!”
  • “It was honestly the best $100 I ever spent…I sure hope they do it again someday.”
  • “My waistline would be in trouble but I’d absolutely get one again!”

However, other customers offer a more cautious take and don’t necessarily want to see the never ending pasta pass return:

  • “It was kind of a mess operationally for the restaurants, so I get why they stopped.”
  • “It led to so much waste and gluttony, I don’t really miss it.”
  • “Maybe a modified version that isn’t unlimited would be better.”

Overall, there seems to be enthusiasm among many pasta lovers for the return of the never ending pasta pass, although some customers recognize the challenges it posed and are unsure if it’s a promotion worth bringing back.

How likely is Olive Garden to revive the pasta pass?

Ultimately, it’s difficult to judge exactly how likely Olive Garden is to bring back the never ending pasta pass anytime soon. There are reasonable arguments on both sides as to whether it’s a good idea or not.

On the one hand, the popularity and buzz surrounding the promotion can’t be denied. Olive Garden is a business, and if there’s customer demand for a product, there’s an incentive to provide it. Reviving the pasta pass in a more sustainable, controlled way could let them tap into that demand.

But on the other hand, Olive Garden experienced firsthand the operational difficulties and profit constraints posed by the pasta pass. They may be reluctant to risk repeating those challenges, especially given that they’ve pivoted successfully to other promotions in the years since discontinuing it. Asking them to bring back the pasta pass is essentially asking them to fix something that, from a business perspective, may not seem very broken.

Overall, the huge interest and name recognition generated by the never ending pasta pass remains alluring. But its potential revival seems unlikely without some major tweaks to address its past unsustainability. Olive Garden will surely be weighing both considerations carefully.

Could other restaurants offer their own pasta pass promotions?

Even if Olive Garden doesn’t resurrect the never ending pasta pass, its runaway success may inspire other Italian restaurant chains to consider similar promotions.

For example, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, owned by Bloomin’ Brands, could potentially offer a pasta pass entitling diners to unlimited pastas, salads, and bread. They have over 230 locations in the U.S., so operationally it could work for them. The popularity of Olive Garden’s pasta pass proves the concept clearly resonates with customers.

Smaller regional Italian chains could also get in on the action with more targeted pasta pass offerings. If promotional costs were reduced by concentrating it in certain cities or states, it could mitigate risks.

However, any restaurant thinking about rolling out their own pasta pass would need to carefully structure it to avoid the issues that sank Olive Garden’s promotion. By imposing limits on usage, pricing it profitably, or containing it to certain locations, a more viable pasta pass could perhaps be crafted.

Could the pasta pass be revived under a new ownership?

Another interesting possibility is that if Olive Garden were ever sold to a new owner, they could opt to bring back the never ending pasta pass under their management.

Olive Garden is currently part of Darden Restaurants, who decided to discontinue the pasta pass in 2018. However, Darden has previously come under pressure from activist investors arguing the company should be split up or sold. If Olive Garden ever became a standalone company, a new owner may see the pasta pass as an opportunity to drive interest, traffic, and sales.

Reviving the pasta pass would generate buzz as people wonder how a new iteration under new management might differ from the original. It could buy some goodwill and public attention as new owners work to put their stamp on the Olive Garden brand.

Again, they would need to structure it thoughtfully to avoid repeating past mistakes. But with the hindsight of what didn’t work before, a relaunched pasta pass could be a tempting opportunity for potential new owners. It offers a unique promotion that customers already know and love.

Conclusion

The never ending pasta pass sparked a frenzy among Olive Garden fans eager to indulge in unlimited Italian favorites. Yet its popularity ultimately exceeded the restaurant’s capacity to operate it smoothly and profitably. Since its discontinuation, many customers still clamor for its return. But large scale questions remain over whether Olive Garden sees a compelling reason to bring back a promotion fraught with challenges.

Smaller competitors may seize on its success to emulate the concept on a more manageable level. Or new ownership could see opportunity in reviving the pasta pass and making their mark. Regardless, the lure of unlimited pasta remains strong. So while Olive Garden currently has no plans to resume the promotion, its legacy persists as an iconic, if unsustainable, dining deal.

Leave a Comment