"So if you come here, you go to Omaha or you go anywhere else that has an Olive Garden, you should be able to sit down and have the same bowl of soup and have it taste the same," Hagarty said.

As for Sioux City's decidedly unMediterranean-like weather, he said he's used to it. He is, after all, from Omaha. "We've been spoiled the last couple of weeks," he said. "Actually, by the time people leave here, hopefully they're warm enough inside they forget about the weather."

To recognize Hagarty's role as head of the Olive Garden family in Sioux City and to emphasize the importance the company places on its general managers, Olive Garden honored Hagarty by setting his name in stone. Travertine marble imported from Tuscany was chiseled with Hagarty's name and placed prominently by the front door.

During the past week, the Air Force vet whipped his staff into shape, but without the whips, salutes or any military-style discipline.

"We like to have a good time here," he said. "My biggest thing is to keep my employees happy, make sure they're having a good time. That way, I can make sure my guests are happy and having a good time."