10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Olive Garden

Olive Garden is a beloved restaurant chain for many reasons.

From their soup and salad to their breadsticks and pasta dishes, everything on their menu is drool-worthy.

Even more special than that, Olive Garden loves to boast about how every single one of their patrons is a part of their large family. We'd like to believe that, except there have been a few things they've kept in the dark about themselves—and we all know families don't keep secrets.

That's why we decided to bring them to light and share them with you to feel even closer to the Italian chain than ever before. Scroll below for 10 fun facts you didn't know about Olive Garden!

1. The very first Olive Garden wasn't in Italy, but in Orlando, Florida. Back in 1982, this location served as the first test site for the restaurant chain. Respect.

2. Though Olive Garden wasn't founded in Italy, the restaurant's design is inspired by a farmhouse in the town of Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany. Try saying that three times fast.

3. Of all their dishes, Chicken Alfredo is the most popular meal by far, a former employee of the chain told Popsugar. The second most popular dish would have to be Shrimp Scampi. Are either of those one of your faves?

4. All you vegans out there will be excited to hear this fact: Olive Garden's delicious breadsticks are 100% vegan. Eat your heart out.

5. And if you're gluten-free, the chain also has plenty of options for you to enjoy as well. The substitutes are flown in from Italy and made with corn and rice flours.

6. All of their soups are made from scratch every single morning with fresh ingredients. No use of a microwave here, but that doesn't mean you can't use one to reheat any soup you may take home with you.

7. Other than their breadsticks, one of the most distinct items they have is their signature Italian dressing. It's unlike any other, but you do have the luxury of purchasing it and drenching your own salads from home.

8. Olive Garden used to tout about their Tuscan culinary institute in all of their commercials. Many were skeptical of these claims, but it turned out to be true. CNN uncovered that there is in fact an Olive Garden Culinary Institute of Tuscany.

9. Olive Garden and Red Lobster combination restaurants used to be a thing and we're kind of sad they aren't anymore. In 2011, six operations were opened, and just three years later, they all closed or became just an Olive Garden. Maybe this is the year they'll make a comeback?

10. Just last year, Jimmy Fallon signed over the rights to the Olive Garden slogan, "When you're here, you're family," to his buddy Post Malone after the two shared quite the experience at one of the chain's restaurants. Ah, friendship.

While we're on the topic of learning new things about your favorite food chains, HERE are a few facts you probably didn't know about Taco Bell.