In Italian casual dining, the real competition isn’t just Olive Garden or the local independent down the street — it’s indecision. Today’s diners don’t commit to a single brand. They rotate between familiar options based on the occasion, the moment, and perceived value.

Upside’s recent casual dining survey underscores just how fluid this behavior has become. Upside users averaged about 14 casual-dining visits in just six months, and visited nearly nine different brands in that time. These are high-frequency, high-spend diners, but loyalty is far from fixed.

Winning them once often leads to repeat visits. The question is: What actually drives their choice between brands in the moment? 

What diners value — and why Carrabba’s already wins

When asked to rank what matters most, diners consistently ranked taste and food quality first, followed by price and value. They aren’t making choices based on habit but on which option feels like the best experience and the fairest value in the moment.

That’s where the opportunity lies. The data shows meaningful overlap between Carrabba’s and Olive Garden guests. In the past six months, about 44% reported visiting Olive Garden, while 28% said they’d been to Carrabba’s. These aren’t separate audiences, they’re shared diners actively trading between brands.

The challenge is perceived value at the point of decision — especially for everyday dine-in occasions.

The tie-breaker: Personalized cash back

Per Upside’s survey, 68% of diners say they’d visit a less-frequented restaurant if it offered cash back. That insight underscores how small, targeted rewards can serve as a competitive tie-breaker. 

These aren’t discounts that devalue the brand; they’re rewards that reinforce fairness and appreciation. Guests pay full price, experience Carrabba’s quality firsthand,and feel rewarded afterward — strengthening satisfaction and repeat intent.

For Bloomin’ Brands, that distinction matters. Personalized cash back aligns perfectly with the company’s pivot away from constant promotions and its focus on consistent, everyday value.

Proven incremental growth without the guesswork

Upside operates in the decision gap between comparable brands — converting undecided diners into measurable, incremental visits. 

Through its digital marketplace, Upside targets guests who need a nudge to choose Carrabba’s over Olive Garden or other casual dining options. The offers are unique and personalized, protecting Carrabba’s price integrity while improving perceived value among those most likely to switch.

And because every transaction is tracked through Upside’s test-vs-control incrementality measurement, both Bloomin’ Brands and Carrabba’s operators can see exactly how many visits, dollars, and margins were earned.

Incremental growth without the promo wars

Bloomin’ Brands’ leadership is clear: drive profitable traffic, not just more traffic. Personalized cash-back offers through Upside deliver on that mandate. They can help Carrabba’s:

• Capture more on-the-fence diners without diluting price or brand
• Turn everyday occasions into repeat visits
• Grow profitably — without discounting, operational lift, or promo wars

Cash back can be the differentiator that wins the next visit, and the next guest. Your best weapon isn’t a coupon — it’s a personalized reason to come back. 

See how Upside can help Carrabba’s win more casual dining occasions and gain market share, profitably.

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