Olive Garden Just Made Four Major Changes To Its Menu

The Italian chain told Nation's Restaurant News that the menu is "the most significant evolution in the restaurant's history."

Olive Garden has faced declining sales as customers turn to fast-casual options like Panera Bread and Chipotle.

Here's a round-up of the major changes to the menu.

• Pasta customization options with value. The new menu lets mix-and-match from several pasta and sauce options for $9.99, Nation's Restaurant News reports. The pasta selections include gluten-free noodles. For an additional charge, guests can add proteins like sausage or shrimp.
• Expanding healthy options. Olive Garden has added lower-calorie chicken and steak dishes to its menu to appeal to calorie-conscious customers.
• More small plates and appetizers. Olive Garden is now offering chicken wings as an appetizer for a limited time. The chain has also updated its small plate menu to include a Parmesan Olive Fritta and Polenta Shrimp alla Greca.
• New premium dishes. Perhaps in an attempt to differentiate from casual chains like Panera Bread, Olive Garden has added higher-end menu items. Those include crab-topped chicken, salmon bruschetta, and a seafood pasta.