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The Province
6 days ago
- Business
- The Province
Olive Garden is expanding across Canada. Here's what to know
Canadian company buys existing locations in Western Canada and announces plans for growth Canada's Recipe Unlimited has acquired the eight existing Olive Garden locations in Canada and announced plans to expand across the country. Photo by Luke Sharett / Bloomberg Olive Garden, the Italian-inspired chain restaurant found in all 50 U.S. states — including Hawaii and Alaska — with unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, will soon be expanding across Canada. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The eight existing locations in Western Canada were acquired by Recipe Unlimited, franchisor for more than a dozen recognizable Canadian brands, along with 'the exclusive rights to develop and operate new' Olive Garden restaurants throughout the country. In a press release announcing the acquisition, Recipe CEO Frank Hennessey said he sees 'immense potential for growth.' '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,' he stated. For those unfamiliar, a large part of the chain's success is that diners — at both Canadian and U.S. locations — are offered unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks with the purchase of any entree. Similarly, anyone who comes in to order soup or salad individually can have as much as they want and also have their fill of famous freshly-baked breadsticks. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An order of unlimited breadsticks from Olive Garden. Photo by Daniel Acker / Bloomberg The company said it'll have more details on expansion as 'development plans take shape.' National Post has contacted Recipe for more information. The current locations, previously operated by U.S.-based Darden Restaurants, consist of three in Alberta — two in Edmonton, one in Calgary — a pair in Winnipeg, and one each in Saskatoon, Regina and Langley, B.C. Last month, Darden CEO and president Rick Cardenas said on an earnings call that Recipe committed to launching 30 locations over the next decade, according to Nation's Restaurant News. Expansion will likely mark the return to Ontario, where Darden previously operated Olive Gardens. According to a 1997 story in the Ottawa Citizen, the company shuttered its last 11 locations in the province that fall — seven in Toronto, two in Ottawa, and one each in Windsor and London. Where are Olive Garden's origins? The first Olive Garden opened in Orlando, Fla., in 1982, as an arm of mass food manufacturer General Mills, according to food website Delish and the History Channel show The Food That Built America. It remains standing to this day. The company also created Red Lobster and other brands, all of which were spun into Darden when it was formed in 1995. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Today, there are over 900 U.S. Olive Garden locations, more than a quarter of which are in Texas, Florida and California, and restaurants in countries other than Canada, including Mexico, with 13, the most outside of the U.S. There are also restaurants in Brazil, Panama, El Salvador, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait and more opening in Costa Rica and the Phillipines. In last month's conference call, Cardenas said the corporation also has agreements for 40 Olive Gardens in India and Spain, According to Darden, the brand brings in more than USD$4 billion annually in sales and is the United States's 'leading restaurant in the Italian casual dining segment.' Brad Smith, president of Darden International and franchising, said Recipe's Canadian brand experience unlocks Olive Garden's growth potential north of the border. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Recipe, formerly known as CARA and whose origins are in airline catering, boasts a roster that already includes signature Canadian brands like Swiss Chalet, The Keg, Harvey's, and East Side Mario's, to name but a few of the 18, including the newest addition. The Vaughan, Ont., firm counts more than 1,200 locations in the portfolio. How do current Canadian Olive Garden prices compare to current prices at East Side Mario's? On the whole, prices for most fare at the similarly Italian-inspired restaurants are about on par. At the Olive Garden in Calgary, a plate of fettuccine alfredo costs $22.49 while the same dish at East Side Mario's across town is sold for $19.99, and the Build-Your-Own-Pasta option is only $1.20 less expensive at Olive Garden. While East Side Mario's menu features pizzas, sandwiches, and other North American meals, Olive Garden's menu primarily consists of North American takes on traditional Italian pasta dishes. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Crime News World News World
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Olive Garden expanding across Canada
Canadians will soon enjoy the full Olive Garden experience, as the Italian-inspired chain famous for its unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks prepares for a major expansion across the country. Olive Garden currently has locations in every U.S. state. Recipe Unlimited, a major Canadian franchisor, has acquired Olive Garden's eight existing Western Canada locations. This deal also grants Recipe Unlimited exclusive rights to develop and operate all future Olive Garden restaurants across Canada. According to Recipe CEO Frank Hennessey, the Olive Garden acquisition and development agreement are a 'perfect' fit for the company's strategy. He stated in a press release that he sees 'immense potential for growth' by expanding their casual dining presence with brands that appeal to Canadian consumers. A key to Olive Garden's widespread success, in both Canada and the U.S., is its popular offering of unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks with any entree purchase. Diners ordering soup or salad individually also receive endless servings of these freshly-baked breadsticks. Recipe Unlimited plans to reveal more expansion details as 'development plans take shape,' and National Post has reached out for further information. The eight existing Olive Garden locations, previously run by U.S.-based Darden Restaurants, include three in Alberta (two in Edmonton, one in Calgary), two in Winnipeg, and one each in Saskatoon, Regina, and Langley, B.C. Last month, Darden CEO Rick Cardenas revealed that Recipe Unlimited has committed to opening 30 new Olive Garden locations in Canada over the next decade. This expansion is expected to include a return to Ontario, where Darden previously closed 11 Olive Garden restaurants in 1997, including seven in Toronto and two in Ottawa. Olive Garden first opened its doors in Orlando, Florida, in 1982, initially as part of General Mills. The original restaurant still operates today. In 1995, General Mills spun off its restaurant brands, including Olive Garden and Red Lobster, into the newly formed Darden Restaurants. Olive Garden currently boasts over 900 U.S. locations, with more than a quarter concentrated in Texas, Florida, and California. Beyond the U.S. and soon Canada, the brand has a significant international presence, most notably in Mexico with 13 restaurants, and locations in Brazil, Panama, El Salvador, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Further expansion is planned for Costa Rica and the Philippines. Darden CEO Rick Cardenas recently announced agreements for 40 new Olive Garden restaurants in India and Spain. Annually, Olive Garden generates over $4 billion in sales, solidifying its position as the leading Italian casual dining restaurant in the United States.
National Post
16-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Olive Garden is expanding across Canada. Here's what to know
Olive Garden, the Italian-inspired chain restaurant found in all 52 U.S. states — including Hawaii and Alaska — with unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, will soon be expanding across Canada. Article content The eight existing locations in Western Canada were acquired by Recipe Unlimited, franchisor for more than a dozen recognizable Canadian brands, along with 'the exclusive rights to develop and operate new' Olive Garden restaurants throughout the country. Article content Article content Article content In a press release announcing the acquisition, Recipe CEO Frank Hennessey said he sees 'immense potential for growth.' Article content '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,' he stated. Article content For those unfamiliar, a large part of the chain's success is that diners — at both Canadian and U.S. locations — are offered unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks with the purchase of any entree. Similarly, anyone who comes in to order soup or salad individually can have as much as they want and also avail of the famous freshly-baked breadsticks. Article content Article content Where is Olive Garden in Canada and where are they expanding? Article content The company said it'll have more details on expansion as 'development plans take shape.' National Post has contacted Recipe for more information. Article content The current locations, previously operated by U.S.-based Darden Restaurants, consist of three in Alberta — two in Edmonton, one in Calgary — a pair in Winnipeg, and one each in Saskatoon, Regina and Langley, B.C. Article content It's not immediately clear if Olive Garden restaurants previously operated elsewhere in Canada; however, National Post has contacted Darden for clarification. Article content Where are Olive Garden's origins? Article content The first Olive Garden opened in Orlando, Fla., in 1982, as an arm of mass food manufacturer General Mills, according to food website Delish and the History Channel show The Food That Built America. It remains standing to this day. Article content The company also created Red Lobster and other brands, all of which were spun into Darden when it was formed in 1995. Article content Looking at the past with breadstick colored glasses. 😎 Posted by Olive Garden on Thursday, February 27, 2025 Article content Today, there are over 900 U.S. Olive Garden locations, more than a quarter of which are in Texas, Florida and California, and restaurants in countries other than Canada, including Mexico, with 13, the most outside of the U.S. There are also restaurants in Brazil, Panama, El Salvador, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait and more opening in Costa Rica and the Phillipines. Article content According to Darden, the brand brings in more than USD$4 billion annually in sales and is the United States's 'leading restaurant in the Italian casual dining segment.' Article content Brad Smith, president of Darden International and franchising, said Recipe's Canadian brand experience unlocks Olive Garden's growth potential north of the border. Article content What else does Recipe own in Canada? Article content Recipe, formerly known as CARA and whose origins are in airline catering, boasts a roster that already includes signature Canadian brands like Swiss Chalet, The Keg, Harvey's, and East Side Mario's, to name but a few of the 18, including the newest addition.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Recipe Unlimited acquires Olive Garden locations in Canada, plans to expand
VAUGHAN — Recipe Unlimited says it has acquired all of Canada's Olive Garden locations in a deal with U.S.-based Darden Restaurants Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed for the deal for the eight locations, which was announced today. Frank Hennessey, the CEO of Recipe Unlimited says he sees large growth potential for the Olive Garden brand across Canada. The deal includes a development agreement where the Vaughan, Ont.-based restaurant company will receive exclusive rights to develop and operate new Olive Garden restaurants in Canada. Recipe Unlimited says the timing of new locations will be announced as plans take shape. Recipe Unlimited has over 1,200 restaurant locations across Canada, with a portfolio that includes Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario's, the Pickle Barrel and more. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025. The Canadian Press
Toronto Sun
14-07-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Recipe Unlimited acquires Olive Garden locations in Canada, plans to expand
Published Jul 14, 2025 • 1 minute read A truck drives past an Olive Garden restaurant. Photo by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Recipe Unlimited says it has acquired all of Canada's Olive Garden locations in a deal with U.S.-based Darden Restaurants Inc. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Financial terms were not disclosed for the deal for the eight locations, which was announced today. Frank Hennessey, the CEO of Recipe Unlimited says he sees large growth potential for the Olive Garden brand across Canada. The deal includes a development agreement where the Vaughan, Ont.-based restaurant company will receive exclusive rights to develop and operate new Olive Garden restaurants in Canada. Recipe Unlimited says the timing of new locations will be announced as plans take shape. Recipe Unlimited has over 1,200 restaurant locations across Canada, with a portfolio that includes Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario's, the Pickle Barrel and more. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Columnists NFL NHL Golf World
