The owner of Olive Garden is banning hats from the Ruth’s Chris Steak House chain
Think twice before you wear your dress with a baseball cap in the flesh.
The business owner behind the famed Ruth’s Chris Steak House is ending diners, issuing a strict dress code that bans hats at the table and requires diners to appear “properly dressed.”
Parent company Darden Restaurants, which operates 162 restaurants around the world, warned its guests that the vibe was “just a business thing”.
An upscale steakhouse says anyone wearing a hat may be asked to remove it or move it to the bar or lounge instead of the main dining room.
And hats are not the only fashion faux pas.
Ruth’s Chris also lists a long list of clothing options, including “gym wear, swimwear, tank tops, clothing with offensive graphics or language, revealing clothing, and revealing underwear.”
Interestingly, another steakhouse in the same business family, Capital Grille – which is often considered fancier – does not specifically ban hats.
But don’t expect a free-for-all there either.
The Capital Grille still bans “sports shorts, uncovered sports bras, bra-style tops, overly revealing clothing, revealing underwear, and clothing with offensive language or graphics.” It also warns guests that the restaurant maintains a “good atmosphere” and requires men’s shirts to have sleeves.
The dress code drama comes as Darden — the restaurant giant that operates more than 2,100 restaurants and employs nearly 200,000 workers — continues to expand its growing empire.
The company also owns chains such as LongHorn Steakhouse, Seasons 52 and Eddie V’s Prime Seafood.
Meanwhile, its biggest brand, Olive Garden, which boasts more than 900 locations nationwide, is trying a different tactic to attract diners: smaller, cheaper plates.
The Italian chain recently launched a “Light Portions” menu across the US, offering reduced meals of fan favorites like Chicken Parmigiana, Eggplant Parmigiana, Cheese Ravioli, Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Lasagna Classico.
The new dishes, priced between $12.99 and $13.99 depending on location, are about half the cost of full-sized entrees that can run diners up to $25.
CEO Rick Cardenas said customers who tried the small plates reported higher impressions of the value — and were more likely to return.
“Olive Garden has seen a double-digit increase in affordability views from guests who order from the lighter portions menu,” Cardenas said, noting that those dishes are also returning more often.
Still, one thing is clear: if you’re headed to Ruth’s Chris for a ribeye, leave the ball cap at home.
