Last Updated: April 11, 2026
Olive Garden vs Applebee’s Application: Which Casual Dining Restaurant Is a Better Place to Work?
Quick Answer: Olive Garden pays servers $2.13â$5.15/hr base plus tips and holds a 3.6/5 Glassdoor rating. Applebee’s pays a similar server base ($2.13â$5.15/hr) plus tips with a 3.4/5 Glassdoor rating. Olive Garden typically earns higher tips per table due to larger check averages. Both hire at 16 for host and busser roles; server positions require 18 in many states. Apply to both for maximum opportunities.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Olive Garden and Applebee’s are two of the largest casual dining chains in the US, and they compete directly for servers, hosts, kitchen staff, and managers. Olive Garden is operated by Darden Restaurants (corporate); Applebee’s is almost entirely franchise-operated â a structural difference that affects pay consistency, benefits availability, and the hiring experience.
| Factor | Olive Garden | Applebee’s |
|---|---|---|
| Server Base Pay | $2.13â$5.15/hr + tips | $2.13â$5.15/hr + tips |
| Average Total Server Earnings | $18â$28/hr (incl. tips) Higher | $14â$22/hr (incl. tips) |
| Kitchen / Line Cook Pay | $15â$20/hr Higher | $13â$18/hr |
| Minimum Hiring Age (host/bus) | 16 years | 16 years |
| Minimum Age (server) | 18 (most states) | 18 (most states) |
| Pay Frequency | Weekly Faster | Biweekly (franchise-dependent) |
| Corporate vs Franchise | Corporate (Darden) More consistent | Mostly franchise-operated |
| Drug Test Required | No (most locations) | No (most locations) |
| Background Check | Yes | Yes (franchise-dependent) |
| Glassdoor Rating | 3.6/5.0 Higher | 3.4/5.0 |
| US Locations | ~900 | ~1,600 More |
| Health Insurance | Yes (30+ hrs, Darden) More consistent | Franchise-dependent |
| Apply Online At | olivegarden.com/careers | applebees.com/en/jobs |
How to Apply at Olive Garden
Olive Garden is centrally operated by Darden Restaurants, so the application process is consistent across all locations. Apply at olivegarden.com/careers. Select your city, choose a role (Server, Host, Busser, Line Cook, or To Go), and complete the 15â20 minute online application including availability and work history. Darden’s Taleo-based system manages all applications; expect a phone call or email within 3â7 days to schedule an interview.
How to Apply at Applebee’s
Applebee’s is almost entirely franchise-operated, which means each location has its own hiring manager and may use different job boards. Apply directly at applebees.com/en/jobs for a central listing, or search “Applebee’s jobs near me” on Indeed to find franchise-specific postings. The hiring process typically involves a brief in-person interview with the floor manager; many locations hire on the spot for kitchen and host positions. Response time is generally faster (1â5 days) than Olive Garden’s corporate process.
Tips and Total Earnings: The Real Comparison
For server positions, tips are the dominant component of earnings â base pay matters less than the volume and average check size at each chain. This is where Olive Garden and Applebee’s diverge meaningfully for tipped staff.
- Average check size: Olive Garden’s average check per table runs $18â$25 per person. Applebee’s averages $14â$18 per person. Higher checks mean higher tips on the same number of tables.
- Table turnover: Applebee’s often has higher turnover (shorter dining times) which can compensate for lower per-table tips with more tables served per shift.
- Tip pooling: Both chains vary by location. Some Olive Gardens share tips with bussers and hosts; some do not. Ask during your interview at the specific location.
- Kitchen and non-tipped roles: Olive Garden typically pays kitchen staff $15â$20/hr (Darden standard); Applebee’s kitchen pay ranges $13â$18/hr depending on franchise operator.
Which Should You Apply To?
For tipped server positions, Olive Garden’s higher check averages make it the stronger earnings choice. For non-tipped kitchen and host roles, Olive Garden’s corporate pay structure also leads. Apply to both if both are available near you.
Apply to Olive Garden if: You want consistent corporate policies, higher tip income as a server, weekly pay, and stable health insurance eligibility through Darden’s standardized benefits.
Apply to Applebee’s if: There is no Olive Garden near you, you need to get hired quickly (franchise operators hire faster), or you prefer a more casual and faster-paced environment.
Best move: Apply to both simultaneously. Both chains are almost always hiring â casual dining has high turnover year-round â and the applications take under 30 minutes combined.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions most commonly asked by people deciding between Olive Garden and Applebee’s as employers.
Does Olive Garden or Applebee’s pay more?
For servers, Olive Garden typically yields higher total earnings due to higher average check sizes â servers at Olive Garden report average all-in earnings of $18â$28/hr including tips, versus $14â$22/hr at Applebee’s. For kitchen and non-tipped roles, Olive Garden’s Darden corporate pay structure ($15â$20/hr) is also higher than Applebee’s franchise-set wages ($13â$18/hr).
Is it easier to get hired at Olive Garden or Applebee’s?
Applebee’s is generally easier to get hired at and faster to respond. Applebee’s franchise operators often hire on the spot for host and kitchen positions. Olive Garden’s centralized Darden hiring process involves a more structured application and typically takes 5â10 days. Both chains hire frequently due to consistent industry turnover.
What is the minimum age to work at Olive Garden or Applebee’s?
Both Olive Garden and Applebee’s hire at 16 for non-serving roles (host, busser, to-go, dishwasher). Server positions typically require 18 because of alcohol service responsibilities, though the exact minimum varies by state law. In states without a server age minimum, both chains may allow 16-year-olds to serve in alcohol-free sections.
Do Olive Garden or Applebee’s drug test?
Neither Olive Garden nor Applebee’s typically requires pre-employment drug testing for server, host, or kitchen crew positions. Management candidates at Darden-operated Olive Gardens may undergo background screening that includes drug testing. Individual Applebee’s franchise locations set their own policies.
Does Olive Garden offer benefits for part-time employees?
Olive Garden (Darden) offers health, dental, and vision benefits to employees working 30 or more hours per week. Darden also offers a restaurant discount card valid across all its brands (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, etc.). Applebee’s benefits depend entirely on the franchise owner and vary significantly by operator.
Related Casual Dining Application Guides
Explore more casual dining job comparison guides and individual application walkthroughs below.
- Olive Garden Application Guide
- Applebee’s Application Guide
- Chili’s vs TGI Fridays: Which Restaurant Job Is Better?
- All Casual Dining Application Guides
About This Guide: Compiled by the OJA Editorial Team using data from Glassdoor, Indeed, company careers portals, and BLS wage data. Pay rates reflect national averages and vary by location and operator.