Olive Garden has announced that all approximately 900 U.S. locations will close on December 25, 2025, marking a significant commitment to employee well-being.
This full 24-hour shutdown represents a deliberate business decision to prioritize workers over holiday profits. Doors will reopen on December 26, resuming normal operations after the holiday break.
Company Philosophy
The closure directly reflects Olive Garden’s long-standing corporate slogan and values. The company extends this family-centered philosophy beyond its dining customers to encompass its workforce.
By closing on Christmas Day, Olive Garden demonstrates that its commitment to treating employees as family members translates into concrete action—ensuring workers can celebrate with their own families rather than staffing restaurant locations.
The Numbers
Approximately 900 Olive Garden locations across the United States will participate in this closure. This affects tens of thousands of hourly restaurant workers who would typically be scheduled for one of the busiest dining days of the year.
The collective impact represents a substantial operational and financial commitment from parent company Darden Restaurants to prioritize workforce welfare over peak holiday revenue.
Impact on Holiday Diners
Families planning to dine out on December 25 will need to find alternative restaurants, as all Olive Garden locations will be closed. Additionally, some locations may close early on Christmas Eve depending on customer traffic and individual restaurant decisions.
Customers are strongly advised to contact their local Olive Garden in advance to confirm Christmas Eve operating hours and plan their holiday dining accordingly.
Reopening and Regular Operations
Following the 24-hour closure, all Olive Garden locations will resume regular operations on December 26, 2025. This allows the company to capture post-Christmas dining demand from customers unable to visit on the holiday itself.
The reopening schedule provides continuity for both customers and employees returning to standard work assignments.
Industry-Wide Trend
Olive Garden is not alone in prioritizing employee well-being during major holidays. Parent company Darden Restaurants operates within a broader movement among major American corporations to close on Christmas Day.
Other notable chains and retailers—including Walmart, Target, Costco, and Trader Joe’s—also maintain closure policies on December 25, signaling a cultural shift toward valuing employee rest and family time over holiday profits.
Competing Restaurant Options
While Olive Garden closes its doors, several competing Italian restaurants plan to remain open on Christmas Day. Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Brio Italian Grill, and Buca di Beppo are expected to welcome holiday diners in many locations.
These competitors stand to benefit from increased customer volume as Olive Garden customers seek alternative dining destinations for their Christmas celebrations.
Employee Benefits
The closure provides tens of thousands of hourly restaurant workers across all 900 locations with a guaranteed opportunity to spend Christmas Day with their families.
This represents a significant departure from traditional hospitality industry norms, where employees are frequently expected to work major holidays while sacrificing time with loved ones. The decision reflects a recognition that work-life balance matters for workforce well-being.
Historical Wage Commitment
Darden Restaurants has demonstrated its commitment to employee compensation through steady wage increases over recent years. The company raised its minimum hourly wage floor to $10 per hour in 2021, increased it to $11 in 2022, and further increased it to $12 in 2023 for both tipped and non-tipped workers.
These progressive increases reflect the company’s response to labor market challenges and its stated priority of employee financial security.
Bonus Distribution Program
Beyond regular wage increases, Darden Restaurants distributed approximately $17 million in one-time bonuses to nearly 90,000 hourly staff members. This substantial investment in employee compensation demonstrates the company’s broader commitment to workforce welfare beyond standard hourly wages.
The bonus program and wage increases together signal a strategic shift toward retaining and supporting hospitality workers in a competitive labor market.
Economic Considerations
Closing hundreds of restaurants for 24 hours represents a substantial financial decision. The company will forgo significant holiday sales revenue typically generated on Christmas Day, one of the year’s busiest dining occasions.
However, analysts suggest that demand may shift to surrounding days, particularly December 26, potentially offsetting some losses. Additionally, improved employee morale and reduced turnover from the closure may provide long-term financial benefits through lower recruitment and training costs.
Cultural Shift in Dining
As major restaurant brands adopt Christmas Day closures, American holiday dining patterns may shift toward home-cooked meals and family gatherings rather than restaurant visits.
This trend encourages a more intentional approach to holiday celebrations, where family connection takes precedence over restaurant convenience. The closure trend reflects broader societal conversations about work-life balance and the value of quality time with loved ones during major holidays.
Redefining Hospitality Values
Olive Garden’s closure challenges the long-standing hospitality industry assumption that customer service requires year-round, holiday-inclusive operations.
By prioritizing employee time with family, the company contributes to a redefinition of what genuine hospitality means—one that extends care to workers themselves. This shift reflects ongoing conversations about balancing modern economic demands with employee quality of life and personal well-being.
International Operations
While all mainland U.S. Olive Garden locations close on Christmas Day, operations in Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and other international markets may follow different schedules based on local customs, labor laws, and cultural practices.
Customers in these regions should contact their local Olive Garden directly to confirm specific Christmas Day operating hours, as holiday schedules may vary significantly from mainland policies.
Planning and Looking Forward
Diners planning Christmas celebrations are advised to confirm restaurant hours well in advance, particularly for Christmas Eve and the days immediately following the holiday. Early reservations at open restaurants and maintaining flexible backup dining options can help avoid holiday disruptions.
As more companies evaluate their holiday operations and prioritize employee wellness, the hospitality landscape continues to evolve, encouraging consumers to plan holiday dining with greater intentionality and flexibility.
Sources:
Olive Garden/Darden Restaurants official website and corporate announcements (December 2025); Restaurant Dive and Nation’s Restaurant News coverage of Darden wage announcements
Darden Restaurants Investor Relations Q3 2021 Earnings Release and PRNewswire press release (March 25, 2021) — Wage increases and $17 million bonus program
National Retail Federation (NRF) 2023 Holiday Consumer Survey and 2025 Winter Holiday Data; FDR/Prosper Insights & Analytics Thanksgiving Weekend Report
Restaurant Industry Workforce Analysis: 7Shifts Restaurant Employee Engagement Study 2024; National Restaurant Association industry data on holiday closures and employee scheduling practices