Happy clogged arteries everyone! Olive Garden is rolling out an unlimited pasta pass.
Olive Garden announced a "Never Ending Pasta Pass" for $100 for the first one thousand customers. The pass will be valid for seven weeks and is available for purchase online.
"We're trying to make our fans feel like VIPs," says Jay Spenchian, executive vice president of marketing.
The pasta passes, an attempt to bring in more business to the company's 800 stores, includes all you can eat pasta, salad, bread and soda. "What we're trying to do is get some attention," Spenchian says. "It's sure to provoke a reaction."
Those who purchase the pass can enjoy Olive Garden pasta dishes for the 40 days and can pig out at the chain for every lunch and dinner until time runs out.
Coca-Cola branded drinks will be served for free to up to seven guests who dine with a "Never Ending Pasta Pass" holder. Pass holders are not supposed to share their pasta with others at the table, but the guests might get some for free on the sly if they have their own fork. "Of course, if someone shares we do understand -- we're not policing the tables," Spenchian says.
The "Never Ending Pasta Pass" promo is running alongside the chain's $9.99 "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" special that runs from September 22 to November 9. Olive Garden served 13 million bowls of pasta during last years endless pasta bowl promotion.
The deal might be light on the wallet, but the endless pasta might cost consumers their health. All-you-can-eat deals can force you to overeat in one sitting so that you feel like you got your money's worth.
Regardless of carb-loading concerns, many restaurant chains have rolled out gluttonous gimmicks to lure in consumers. Olive Garden's former sister company Red Lobster is selling a $15.99 "Endless Shrimp" fest at select locations. Shrimp and steak lovers can head over to Outback for an unlimited amount of the combo for the same price. TGI Friday launched its "Endless Appetizers" promotion for only $10 in July.
Those who want to pack away pasta can purchase the Olive Garden passes on the company's website starting Monday at 3 p.m. ET.
