Olive Garden focuses on food, customers

Darden Restaurants chief executive Gene Lee isn’t looking for a revolution to fix what’s ailing at flagship chain Olive Garden.

Five months after starting as permanent head of the company, Lee said he has been trying to hammer home to Darden’s 150,000 employees that the focus needs to be on customers and food.

Darden’s new board of directors has agreed with Lee’s priorities, he said, choosing first to improve the backbone of the restaurants. Lee stepped in as interim chief executive in October after activist investor Starboard Value persuaded shareholders to replace Darden’s entire board of investors. That battle also led to the ouster of chief executive Clarence Otis. Lee got the job permanently in February.

Olive Garden is one of the seven chains in Darden’s portfolio, but its 840 locations make it the most important in the company. It’s also been the poorest-performing, only recently turning back years of declining same-restaurant sales.

After a menu revamp in early 2014, Olive Garden has been introducing high-profile items such as breadstick sandwiches and more classically inspired dishes such as sausage rigatoni.

Simple menu changes have been part of the plan, taking popular items and food combinations and presenting them in new ways, he said.

Many government agencies and other employers provide employee recruitment and retention incentives in the form of student loan assistance. When looking for your first real job after college or perhaps seeking an employment upgrade, look for employers who offer programs such as these.

Take on extra work

If you’ve got the time and energy, pick up extra work. Whether your current gig offers overtime or you can make money on the weekends cutting grass, consider taking on a part-time job to add to your monthly income.

Set up payroll allotment

Check with your job’s human resources department, and ask to set up payroll allotment. With payroll allotment, a certain amount of your regular paycheck goes directly into another account and not into your main checking or savings accounts. If you don’t see the money, you won’t be tempted to blow your paycheck.

Say ‘no’ to the 401K plan

Opposite most advice you’re most likely receiving, if getting out of debt is your No. 1 goal, consider delaying your retirement savings by 12 months. Delaying the “benefits” of one

Do you have assets that you can sell? If you’ve acquired valuable items that you no longer need or want, consider selling them online. Check out sites like eBay and Amazon.

Ditch your car

Regardless of your environmental status, no one can deny the high costs of transportation. Look into rideshare and carpool options. Or, see if your city offers public transportation.

Resist the urge to shop

Do you need new pants or just want new pants? If you can make your wardrobe, cellphone and shoes go the distance for 12 months without upgrades, do it. You’d be surprised by how much you save when you stay out of the mall.

Move back in with parents

Moving back home is the least favorable option for many college grads, but in most situations it’s an opportunity to drastically reduce living expenses. If your parents would love to have you home to snuggle with one more year - and they’re willing to let you off with low to no overhead costs - this is a sure-fire way to cut costs and dedicate yourself to debt servicing.