The Invisible $22 Billion Company Controlling Your Life

You have almost definitely eaten at one of their restaurants. Olive Garden. LongHorn Steakhouse. Yard House. The Capital Grille. Ruth’s Chris. Cheddar’s. Bahama Breeze. Seasons 52. Eddie V’s. Chuy’s. All of them are owned by one company most people have never heard of: Darden Restaurants. This is the story of how a 25-seat lunch counter in Georgia became a hidden restaurant empire with over 2,000 locations, billions in revenue, and some of the most recognizable dining brands in America. From Red Lobster and Olive Garden to a Wall Street takeover over unsalted pasta water, Darden’s history is way crazier than most people realize. Let me know in the comments how many Darden restaurants you’ve been to.