Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Olive Garden, has partnered with Uber to launch a new delivery service in response to declining sales. This initiative, which will start as a pilot program in late 2024 at select locations, aims for a nationwide rollout by May 2025 if successful. The decision follows a significant drop in customer traffic and sales, attributed to inflationary pressures. Despite this, Darden's shares rose by 7% after the announcement. CEO Rick Cardenas stated that customers have shown a willingness to pay for the convenience of home delivery, and guest data will remain with Olive Garden. The partnership with Uber is designed to enhance service without disrupting restaurant operations, and similar integrations are planned for Darden's other restaurant brands in the future.