Olive Garden Careers & Jobs: Online Application, Hourly Pay & Benefits (2026)
Looking for restaurant careers near me or exploring jobs at Olive Garden? Olive Garden and its parent company, Darden Restaurants, employ over 90,000 team members across 920+ locations. Explore open job positions, estimated hourly pay rates, employee perks, and step-by-step instructions on submitting an Olive Garden job application online.
Jobs at Olive Garden: Front of House & Kitchen Roles
Server / Waitstaff
Deliver hospitable guest service, take orders, recommend wine pairings, deliver warm breadsticks, and manage table dining experiences.
Host / Hostess
Warmly greet arriving guests, manage the digital waitlist, seat parties, and coordinate table turnover with servers and managers.
Line Cook & Prep Cook
Prepare signature Italian dishes including fresh pasta, grilled proteins, homemade Alfredo and marinara sauces, and freshly baked breadsticks.
Bartender
Mix handcrafted Italian cocktails, pour imported beers and Italian wines, and provide full dining service at the bar.
Dishwasher & Utility
Maintain spotless kitchen sanitary standards, wash dishes, glassware, and cookware, and support kitchen cleanliness.
Restaurant Manager
Lead shift operations, culinary quality control, team scheduling, guest satisfaction, and financial performance.
Olive Garden Employee Benefits & Perks
Up to 50% discount on meals at Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s, and all Darden family restaurants.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage available for eligible part-time and full-time team members.
Competitive 401(k) retirement plan with company match after eligible tenure.
Day, evening, and weekend shift flexibility to accommodate students, parents, and second jobs.
Earned paid sick leave and vacation time for qualifying hourly team members and salaried managers.
Over 99% of general managers and supervisory staff are promoted from internal restaurant team roles.
Olive Garden Job Application: Step-by-Step Guide
Search Positions
Visit jobs.olivegarden.com and enter your city or zip code to locate restaurant openings near you.
Create Profile
Set up an applicant account, upload your resume or enter employment and education history.
Complete Assessment
Complete the short situational and hospitality service assessment (approx. 15-20 mins).
In-Person Interview
Qualified applicants typically receive an invitation for an interview with a restaurant manager within 3–7 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Garden Careers
Q: How old do you have to be to work at Olive Garden?
In most states, Olive Garden requires team members to be at least 16 years old for non-cooking/non-alcohol roles like busser, host, or dishwasher. Servers and bartenders handling alcohol must be at least 18 or 21 depending on local state liquor laws.
Q: How much do Olive Garden employees make?
Hourly pay varies by position and location. Non-tipped kitchen staff (cooks and prep) earn between and per hour. Servers receive an hourly tipped minimum plus guest tips, frequently averaging to + per hour during peak lunch and dinner rushes.
Q: Does Olive Garden do drug tests or background checks?
Olive Garden generally performs background checks for managerial, supervisory, and corporate positions. Drug testing policies adhere to local state and federal employment regulations.
Q: Can I apply for Olive Garden jobs in person?
While all official applications must be processed online through jobs.olivegarden.com, visiting during non-peak hours (between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM on weekdays) to introduce yourself to a manager can make a great first impression.