Olive Garden Catering brings the restaurant’s beloved Italian-American cuisine directly to your event. With multiple formats to suit different group sizes and budgets, Olive Garden catering is a popular choice for corporate lunches, family gatherings, celebrations, and more — all featuring the signature unlimited salad and breadsticks packaged in generous portions.

🍽️ Individual Pans

À la carte entrée pans each serving 4–6 people. Mix and match to create variety for larger groups. Perfect for adding flexibility to your catering spread.

🎁 Meal Combinations

Complete family-style packages for 8–14 people including entrées, house salad, breadsticks, and one free dessert — all bundled at one price.

🍝 Pasta Station

Customizable buffet-style service for groups of 10 or more. Guests choose from different pasta types, sauces, and toppings. Includes breadsticks and salad.

💰 Affordable Pricing

At just $13.50–$18.00 per person, Olive Garden catering is significantly more budget-friendly than most restaurant catering services, which average $20–$50 per person.

🌍 Wide Availability

With over 900 locations across the United States, Olive Garden catering is accessible in most areas, with delivery available within approximately 10 miles of each restaurant.

📦 Everything Included

Delivery orders include grated parmesan cheese, serving utensils, table covers, plates, napkins, and Olive Garden’s signature mints — at no extra charge.

🍽️ Entrée Pans (Individual Items)

Classic Italian-American Entrées

🎁 Meal Combinations (Family-Style Packages)

What’s Included in Every Meal Combination

🍝 Main Entrée Your choice of entrée in a generous family-style pan serving 8–14 guests comfortably.

🥗 House Salad Olive Garden’s signature house salad with dressing, fresh vegetables, and seasoned croutons.

🥖 Unlimited Breadsticks The iconic warm, buttery breadsticks everyone loves — served in generous quantities.

🍰 One Free Dessert Every combination includes one complimentary dessert. Tiramisu is the most popular choice.

🧀 Grated Parmesan Freshly grated parmesan cheese included with every delivery order at no extra cost.

🍽️ Serving Supplies Plates, utensils, napkins, and table covers included so your event setup is hassle-free.

💲 Meal Combination Pricing

Combinations are priced from approximately $135 to $227.50 depending on entrée selection. Per-person cost works out to roughly $13.75 to $18.00 after taxes and delivery fees. Popular choices include Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna Classico, and mixed selections for variety.

Appetizers & Soups Add-Ons

🍝 Create Your Own Pasta Station

🍝 Pasta Choices

Select from a variety of classic Italian pasta types. Multiple options ensure every guest finds something they love at the station.

🫕 Sauce Selection

Guests customize with their preferred sauce — from rich Alfredo to classic marinara and more. Vegetarian and meat-based options available.

🍗 Protein & Toppings

Add chicken, shrimp, or other proteins, along with toppings and garnishes to build the perfect personalized bowl of pasta.

💲 Pasta Station Pricing & Details

Starting Price: $14.50 per person | Minimum Group: 10 people | Includes: Breadsticks, house salad, and full setup for eligible locations. Note: Setup may be included for non-residential commercial events. Pasta Stations are ideal for events where guest engagement and variety are priorities.

💲 Overall Pricing Summary

Catering Price Guide 2026

Category	Details	Cost
Per-Person Cost (average)	All-in including food, taxes, delivery fee	$13.50 – $18.00
Fettuccine Alfredo Pan	Serves 4–6 people	$49.99
Chicken Alfredo Pan	Serves 4–6 people	$67.99
Shrimp Alfredo Pan	Serves 4–6 people (premium)	$73.99
Chicken Parmigiana Pan	Serves 4–6 people	$59.99
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno Pan	Serves 4–6 people	$54.99
Meal Combinations	Serves 8–14 people (entrée + salad + breadsticks + dessert)	$135.00 – $227.50
Pasta Station	Groups of 10+ (per person, includes salad & breadsticks)	$14.50 / person
Appetizer Trays	Fried Mozzarella, Spinach Dip, etc.	$40.00 – $80.00
Extra Breadstick Trays	Per dozen	~$8.00
Small Group (20 people)	Estimated total cost	$200 – $300
Large Group (100 people)	Estimated total cost	$900 – $1,200
Delivery Fee	10% on orders up to $500; 5% on amounts above $500	5% – 10%

📋 How to Order Olive Garden Catering

Ordering Methods

🌐 Online Ordering Visit olivegarden.com and use the online catering system. Typically the fastest method and available 24/7 from any device.

📞 Phone Order Call your local Olive Garden directly to speak with a catering specialist who can guide you through menu selections for your event.

🏪 In-Person Visit Visit your nearest Olive Garden location and meet with a catering specialist in person to discuss your event needs and place your order.

Step-by-Step Ordering Guide

1 Determine Group Size & Date Identify your headcount and event date. This helps determine which menu format — individual pans, meal combinations, or pasta station — works best.

2 Select Your Entrées Choose your main entrées or meal combination from the available options. Consider dietary preferences and variety for your guests.

3 Choose Your Sides Select soups, appetizers, and additional breadsticks as needed, or accept the defaults included in combination packages.

4 Pick Your Desserts Meal combinations include one free dessert. Add additional desserts like Tiramisu or Dolcini for longer events or sweeter occasions.

5 Choose Pickup or Delivery Pickup is free with no minimum order. Delivery carries a 10% fee (5% over $500) and requires a $100 minimum within ~10 miles.

6 Confirm & Add Instructions Finalize your order date, time, and any special instructions regarding allergies, dietary restrictions, or setup preferences.

Lead Time Requirements

⏱️ Standard Order Place your order by 5:00 PM for next-day delivery or pickup. A minimum 24-hour advance notice is required for all standard catering orders.

📅 Larger Orders (25+ People) For groups of 25 or more, or during busy holiday periods, it is strongly recommended to order 2–3 days in advance to ensure availability.

⚡ Same-Day Orders Same-day pickup is occasionally possible at the restaurant’s discretion but is not guaranteed. Do not rely on same-day catering for important events.

🚚 Delivery & Pickup Information

Delivery Details at a Glance

📍 Delivery Distance Within approximately 10 miles of the restaurant location. Check with your local Olive Garden for exact delivery radius in your area.

💲 Minimum Order $100 minimum for delivery orders (may vary slightly by location). No minimum required for pickup orders.

📊 Delivery Fee 10% on orders up to $500. For amounts above $500, the fee drops to 5% on the excess. Pickup is always free.

⏰ Delivery Timing Schedule delivery 30–60 minutes before your event for optimal food temperature. Plan ahead to ensure food is fresh when guests arrive.

What’s Included With Every Delivery

🧀 Grated Parmesan Freshly grated parmesan cheese included at no extra charge with all delivery orders.

🍽️ Utensils & Plates Serving and eating utensils, plates, and napkins provided so your event setup is completely covered.

🪄 Table Covers & Mints Table linens and Olive Garden’s signature mints included with every catering delivery.

Optional Add-Ons

🔥 Chafing Dishes Chafing dishes with racks and Sterno fuel are available for purchase. Essential for events lasting more than 1–2 hours to keep food at proper serving temperature.

🥖 Extra Breadstick Trays Additional breadstick trays available at approximately $8 per dozen. Great for hungry crowds or events where breadsticks are a highlight.

🏠 Setup Policy

Olive Garden typically does not enter residential homes for setup. For larger orders or the Pasta Station option, setup assistance may be included. For commercial or non-residential locations, catering setup is generally included in the service. Confirm with your local restaurant at time of ordering.

✅ Advantages & Disadvantages

✅ Advantages

✅ Affordability: At $13.50–$18 per person, significantly more budget-friendly than most restaurant catering options averaging $20–$50 per person.
✅ Crowd-Pleasing Menu: Italian-American cuisine appeals to broad audiences and is generally well-received at group events of all types.
✅ Signature Items: Famous salad and breadsticks are included, which are major draws enhancing the overall catering value.
✅ Wide Availability: With over 900 locations, Olive Garden catering is accessible in most areas of the United States.
✅ Convenient Ordering: Multiple ordering methods — online, phone, and in-person — make it easy to place and customize orders.
✅ Family-Style Service: Generous shared pans encourage communal dining and create a warm group atmosphere.
✅ Variety: Multiple menu options allow customization for different group preferences and dietary needs.
✅ Included Supplies: Delivery includes all serving items, reducing host preparation work significantly.

⚠️ Disadvantages

⚠️ Family-Style Only: Food is served in shared pans, not individually boxed meals. Not suitable for events requiring individual portion control.
⚠️ Advance Notice Required: Minimum 24-hour advance order is required; same-day catering is unreliable and not guaranteed.
⚠️ Minimum Order: $100 minimum for delivery orders, which may be prohibitive for very small gatherings.
⚠️ Limited Delivery Radius: Delivery is typically only available within 10 miles of a restaurant location.
⚠️ Delivery Fees Add Cost: 10% delivery fee on orders up to $500 increases the effective per-person cost when factoring in taxes.
⚠️ Limited Customization: Deep menu customization is not typically available compared to local catering companies.
⚠️ No Residential Setup: Olive Garden typically does not set up food in residential homes, requiring hosts to manage logistics themselves.
⚠️ Temperature Concerns: Foods will cool over time. Chafing dishes (extra cost) are needed for events lasting more than 1–2 hours.

🎉 Ideal Events for Olive Garden Catering

💼 Corporate Office Lunches

🤝 Team Meetings

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Gatherings

🎂 Birthday Parties

💍 Wedding Rehearsal Dinners

🎓 Graduation Parties

💊 Pharmaceutical Presentations

🏘️ Community Events

🎗️ Casual Fundraisers

🏫 School Events

⛪ Church Gatherings

🎊 Holiday Celebrations

⚖️ How Olive Garden Compares to Alternatives

🍕 vs. Local Italian Restaurants

✅ Olive Garden Advantage: Consistent quality and availability at 900+ locations across the U.S. ensures reliability nationwide.

⚠️ Local Restaurant Advantage: Local Italian restaurants may offer more authentic cuisine, personalized service, and unique regional dishes.

🏆 vs. High-End Catering Companies

✅ Olive Garden Advantage: Significantly more affordable — often 50% less per person — making it accessible for budget-conscious events.

⚠️ Premium Caterer Advantage: Higher-end caterers offer greater customization, sophisticated plating, and upscale presentation suited for formal events.

🛒 vs. Grocery Store Catering

✅ Olive Garden Advantage: Hot, restaurant-quality food delivered ready to serve — far superior in quality and presentation to pre-packaged grocery options.

⚠️ Grocery Advantage: Grocery store catering may be slightly cheaper and available with less advance notice for very last-minute events.

🎉 Ready to Order Olive Garden Catering?

Order online or call your local Olive Garden today. Minimum 24-hour advance notice required. Perfect for groups of 8–100+ at $13.50–$18 per person.

📞 Call: 1-800-331-2729 🌐 Order Online at OliveGarden.com