‘We get in trouble’: Olive Garden worker says this is why you should never ask for breadsticks to-go
One Olive Garden server is spilling secrets about the iconic breadsticks. Luckily, she says it won’t get her fired.
In a TikTok, Kaitlyn McGowan (@mrskaitlynmcgowan) says the first secret concerns the number of breadsticks she can bring a table. For a party of four, she’s allowed to put five sticks in the basket—one more than it usually comes with. If the customers ask for a refill, she’s only allowed to bring one per person.
“We low-key get in trouble if we bring you way too many breadsticks,” she says. “Like, we’re not allowed to take out more than five or six breadsticks at a time, unless it’s like a big party, like a 10-top or something.”
She says the restaurant is graded on breadstick and salad waste. So if you’ve ever ordered a salad for two people and wondered why the giant bowl had so little salad, it’s because servers are not allowed to fill up the bowl for just two people. This would contribute to salad waste, she says.
The second secret regards taking breadsticks to go. The server says she used to give people breadsticks to go, but she’s technically not allowed to do that.
“I got a little slap on the wrist for that because that’s not allowed,” she says. “That’s considered bread waste.”
‘There is no such thing as breadstick waste from Olive Garden’
In the comments section, viewers were adamant that the restaurant shouldn’t consider more salad and breadsticks a waste. This is because it all goes into their stomachs—even if not at the restaurant.
“How is it bread waste if I’m eating all 17 breadsticks?” user Emily Smith asked.
A second viewer noted, “Bread waste is how you get better tips lol.”
“That bread and salad is coming home with us after. Never a waste,” a third said.
User Nicole Verbeck asked, “If it gets consumed…how is it waste? I think its just a fancy term for lost revenue,” to which McGowan replied, “YOU ARE ON TO SOMETHING HERE.”
Another viewer, who appears to have insider knowledge like McGowan, added, “Same with the salad only so many tomatoes and olives per person.”
McGowan responded to this comment with a video. In it, she explains that when the kitchen makes salads, it’s four olives and three tomatoes per person. It includes two pepperoncini peppers and one scoop of croutons—unless customers specify that they want extra.
She also notes that her location only has ranch and Olive Garden Italian dressing. This constantly upsets diners who want more variety, like Thousand Island.
Does Olive Garden really limit how many breadsticks you can have?
A 2023 Yahoo!Life article notes, “While the restaurant is quite generous with its breadsticks, at least for its customers, it also imposes rules on how many each table will get. With the initial order, servers are instructed to provide one breadstick per guest at the table, along with a single bonus breadstick. For all subsequent orders, the table will receive one breadstick per person.”
A 2024 Chowhound article states that if workers see a customer stuffing their bag with breadsticks, “They won’t provide them with free refills anymore. This rule is in place to emphasize that the free breadsticks are meant to enhance your dining experience, not for a free takeaway.”
@mrskaitlynmcgowan Just so ya know #server #serverlife #olivegarden ♬ original sound – Kaitlyn McGowan
Can you take Olive Garden breadsticks to-go?
In a Reddit post about whether salad and breadsticks come with to-go orders, a user responded, “Yes it does but only one serving of each per entree. If you order the dipping sauce for the breadsticks they give you more breadsticks though.”
In a Quora post addressing whether there is really a limit to how many breadsticks customers can have, one respondent said the one-per-person (plus one extra) rule does not apply to to-go orders. “In a to-go order, you get 2 breadsticks per meal. if you wish to have more than 2, you can get 6 extra for a fee.”
On its website, Olive Garden states that customers can order a dozen or half-dozen breadsticks baked or unbaked. The half-dozen costs $4.49 and the full dozen costs $6.99. The prices are the same for baked and unbaked breadsticks.
The Mary Sue contacted McGowan via TikTok comment and direct message. It contacted Olive Garden via press email.
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