Olive Garden to 'significantly expand' across Canada after recent acquisition

Unlimited soup, salads, and breadsticks may be popping up in more Canadian cities soon after Recipe Restaurants Unlimited recently acquired the Olive Garden brand from Darden Restaurants Inc.

Currently, Olive Garden operates eight locations throughout Canada in key markets like British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, all of which Recipe has acquired effective immediately.

Additionally, Recipe has entered a development agreement with Darden to “significantly expand” the Olive Garden brand across Canada.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Olive Garden into the Recipe family,” said Frank Hennessey, CEO of Recipe Unlimited. “Olive Garden is a brand with a strong legacy of success and a loyal following, and we see immense potential for growth across Canada. This acquisition and subsequent development agreement align perfectly with our strategy to expand our presence in the casual dining segment with leading brands that resonate with Canadian consumers.”

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For those unfamiliar with Recipe Restaurants Unlimited, it is Canada’s largest full-service restaurant company and has more than 12,000 restaurants located across Canada, as well as an international presence in the U.S. and the Middle East. Its portfolio includes brands like Swiss Chalet, The Keg, St-Hubert, Harvey’s, Montana’s, New York Fries, Kelsey’s, East Side Mario’s, Original Joe’s, and plenty more.

“Our partnership with Recipe marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Olive Garden in Canada,” said Brad Smith, president of Darden International and Franchising. “Their proven track record in operating beloved restaurants throughout the country will help us better serve our Canadian guests and team members, while unlocking new opportunities for growth.”

The locations and opening dates of these new Olive Garden locations have not been shared yet. Be sure to check back here for more details.