Planning a night out and need a babysitter? Olive Garden may be able to help.
Olive Garden, owned by Orlando-based Darden Restaurants, is picking up the baby sitting tab for parents who choose to eat out at one of its participating establishments around the country on Feb. 7, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The Italian restaurant chain has teamed up with My Gym, a chain of children's activity centers, to promote its "Parents' Night Out" two for $25 special. A spokeswoman said in an email that guests are encouraged to try other menu option for the one-night only special.
"With busy family schedules and everyone always on the go, it's challenging for parents to find time for a date night out," Jay Spenchian, executive vice president of marketing for Olive Garden said in a release.
Parents can drop their kids off at one of the 145 My Gym locations across the country and at the end of the night, My Gym will refund the deposits when they show an Olive Garden meal receipt. My Gym requires a cash deposit, and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
"Space is limited that night to about 30 children at each My Gym location," the Orlando Sentinel reported. "They are going to have you pay a deposit, which of course will be refunded after you show your Olive Garden receipt."
The promotional event will run from 6 to 9 p.m., but this can vary by location.
Olive Garden is using social media to spread the word of their one-night promotional. Parents who might be interested in dining out, kids-free, can use the hashtag #OGParentsNightOut on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Do you think free babysitting is a good marketing idea?
