LongHorn Parent Company Says Obamacare Won't Change Employee Access to Insurance

There's good news on the health care horizon for the servers of Flo's Filet, cheddar biscuits and the endless soup, salad and bread sticks lunch. 

Darden, the owner of restaurant chains LongHorn Steakhouse, Red Lobster and Olive Garden, announced Thursday that none of its current full-time employees, hourly or salaried, would have their full-time status changed as a result of health care reform.

The company went on to say that in 2014, all of its full-time employees, including hourly, salaried and executive employees, would have access to the same insurance plan coverage.

"Although our workforce historically has been heavily part-time, we have always had a significant number of full-time employees and they are integral to our success," said Darden Chairman and CEO Clarence Otis, in a prepared statement. "The data we have collected during our test around guest satisfaction and employee engagement has only reinforced this. 

"As we think about healthcare reform, while many of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's rules and regulations have yet to be finalized, we are pleased we know enough at this point to make firm and hopefully reassuring commitments to our full-time employees."

LongHorn Steakhouse is located on Hall Road, east of Hayes, in Clinton Township. Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants are also located on Hall Road near Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights.

Papa John's Pizza has recently come under fire for comments owner John Schnatter made after Election Day. Schnatter was quoted as saying he would pass on health care reform costs by reducing worker hours and raising prices on his pizzas.

Although Schnatter has since said his comments were taken out of context, the brand has lost points among consumers, according to a recent BrandIndex report.