An Italian restaurant chain that many missed since it left Ontario in the early 2000s is back, opening its first location in the Greater Toronto Area after more than ten years.
After a lot of excitement, Recipe Restaurant Group has announced that its new Olive Garden restaurant has officially opened at Vaughan Mills, a large shopping center located at 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.
According to a news release, this location is the first new Olive Garden to open in eastern Canada as part of its national development agreement with Darden Restaurants, Inc. The restaurant, famous for its unlimited breadsticks, now occupies the space formerly held by Pickle Barrel.
Executives from Darden Restaurants and Recipe Restaurant Group were present along with Olive Garden Canada leadership to celebrate the opening of Ontario’s first Olive Garden at Vaughan Mills. Notable attendees included Rick Cardenas, Chief Executive Officer of Darden Restaurants, and Frank Hennessey, Chief Executive Officer of Recipe Restaurant Group, along with senior executives from both Darden Restaurants and Olive Garden Canada’s operations, brand, marketing, and restaurant teams. (CNW Group/Recipe Restaurant Group)
Last year marked an important milestone when the restaurant group revealed it had acquired eight Olive Garden locations across Canada. The chain used to operate in Ontario but closed many spots during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Currently, their remaining Canadian restaurants are found in Western Canada-specifically British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
The Vaughan Mills establishment is one of three locations being introduced as part of the brand’s return to Ontario; others include sites in Westboro (Ottawa) and Ajax.
In their news release, Recipe stated that opening at Vaughan Mills is a key step towards expanding the Olive Garden brand throughout Canada.
<p Like other Olive Gardens across North America, this newest spot will offer generous portions alongside freshly baked breadsticks, homemade soups and salads as well as “classic Italian-inspired” dishes.
“The opening of the first Olive Garden restaurant in Ontario is a significant milestone for Recipe,” said Frank Hennessey, CEO of Recipe Restaurant Group.
“The response from the community to the opening has been incredible. Receiving over 6,000 applications allowed us to build an outstanding team of more than 250 members, representing a fantastic economic opportunity for the region. We’re proud to bring Olive Garden’s quality food, warm hospitality and exceptional value to Ontarians; we can’t wait to welcome guests to experience everything that makes the brand so special.”
Recipe Restaurant Group International runs nearly 1,100 restaurants both across Canada and internationally with brands like Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s Montana’s Kelsey’s Original Roadhouse and The Pickle Barrel.
Olive Garden operates over 920 restaurants globally employing more than 96 thousand people.
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