Olive Garden is stirring the pot this summer, but not in the way you’d expect.
Instead of a fresh pasta deal or a new menu item, the restaurant chain has dropped a twist no one saw coming: a $40 noodle that isn’t edible. That’s right, Olive Garden is launching pool noodles, not pasta, as part of their summer merchandise collection. The restaurant, known for its generous portions and never-ending breadsticks, is leaning into the season with a limited-edition drop that’s already got fans buzzing.
The new float line includes three cheekily named options: Floatin’ Fettuccine, Takin’ It Easy Tortelloni, and Relaxin’ Rigatoni. Each one has its own shape and vibe. The Fettuccine float is totally flat, perfect for stretching out like a pasta-loving sun god. The Tortelloni features an open seat to lounge in, and the Rigatoni is hollowed out so you can nestle inside like a spoonful of sauce. These aren’t your average discount store pool floats either, each noodle is $40 and comes with free shipping and a special “first course” bonus item.
If you’re signed up for Olive Garden’s eClub loyalty program, you get a head start on grabbing one. Early access starts June 26 at 10 a.m. ET, while the general public can shop the collection starting June 30 at 2 p.m. ET on Olive Garden’s website. Bonus “first course” freebies include a breadstick-themed bucket hat, a tote bag styled like soup, or a floating drink holder that looks like lettuce. And yes, die-hard fans are ready to click “add to cart” the second these hit the site, even if they don’t own a pool. “I don’t know if I’ll ever have a pool,” one Olive Garden loyalist posted online, “but the intense feeling of need I have for the tortellini float cannot be put into words!”
This isn’t the first time a food brand has made the leap from snacks to pool gear, Cheez-It, Pop-Tart, and Eggo have all dived into the trend. But Olive Garden is doing what it does best: going big. And while some shoppers are charmed by the merch, others are still side-eyeing the brand over a more controversial change.
In May, Olive Garden employees began complaining online about a new required uniform, white button-up shirts. Many said the white tops were impractical in the food industry, citing stains and frustration. “They get stained so bad. Black didn’t have a problem,” one employee said on Reddit. Another added, “White shirts are terrible for the food industry,” while a third said they were “scared” the rule would roll out at their own location.
The chain didn’t respond to requests for comment, leaving fans and workers alike wondering if the change is nationwide or just a few unlucky locations. But back in the customer’s corner, Olive Garden recently brought back a deal that hadn’t been seen in five years, and one fan even managed to score a full meal and drink for just $6.99.
So whether you’re floating on tortellini or fighting sauce stains in a white shirt, one thing’s for sure, Olive Garden is definitely keeping summer interesting.
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