This is an update to my post last week concerning the toddler who was sipping sangria at the Olive Garden in Lakeland, Florida.
President Dave Pickens contacted mom Jill VanHeest last week and apologized for the mishap. In a note posted on Olive Garden’s Facebook page, Mr. Pickens comments on the company’s commitment to responsible service of alcohol and stresses that this incident was human error. He also mentions that he has a small child himself, and that these type of mistakes are unacceptable. You can read the entire message here.
We don’t often hear of a company making the tough choice to do the right thing when something has gone wrong. I am proud to say that I am a former employee of Olive Garden, I worked for the company for more than ten years. I personally know Mr. Pickens, though I’ve never called him that – around the office he was known as Dave. He doesn’t act like the stereotypical Fortune500 company president. He learns your name – and remembers it. If he sees you outside of the workplace, he acknowledges you and is eager to meet whomever you’re with. He lives and breathes “When You’re Here, You’re Family.” Dave truly is a stand-up, down-to-earth guy and I am certain that this was a heartfelt apology.
If your family had a similar experience, how would you feel after speaking with the company president?
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