Popular American chain restaurant returns to Ontario, opens new location in the GTA

A beloved Italian restaurant chain that left Ontario in the early 2000s has returned to the province, opening its first GTA location in well over a decade. 

After months of anticipation, Recipe Restaurant Group announced that its newest Olive Garden restaurant has officially opened in Vaughan Mills, the sprawling Vaughan shopping centre located at 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.

In a news release, Recipe said the latest location is the first new Olive Garden to open in eastern Canada under its national development agreement with Darden Restaurants, Inc. The restaurant, known for its endless breadsticks, has taken over the former Pickle Barrel space. 

Executives from Darden Restaurants and Recipe Restaurant Group, along with Olive Garden Canada leadership, celebrate the opening of the first Olive Garden restaurant in Ontario at Vaughan Mills. Attendees include Rick Cardenas, Chief Executive Officer of Darden Restaurants, and Frank Hennessey, Chief Executive Officer of Recipe Restaurant Group, along with senior executives from Darden Restaurants and Olive Garden Canada operations, brand, marketing, and restaurant teams. (CNW Group/Recipe Restaurant Group)

Last year, the restaurant group announced it had acquired eight Olive Garden restaurants in Canada. The chain previously operated in Ontario, but it began shuttering locations in the 1990s and early 2000s. 

Its remaining Canadian locations are in Western Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The Vaughan Mills restaurant is one of three locations announced as part of the brand’s re-entry into Ontario, alongside sites in Westboro (Ottawa) and Ajax. 

In a news release, Recipe said the Vaughan Mills opening marks an important step in the company’s plan to expand the Olive Garden brand across Canada. 

The newest location will, much like other Olive Garden locations, boast generous portions, freshly baked breadsticks, homemade soups and salads and “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, in a statement.  

“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, and we can’t wait to welcome guests to experience everything that makes the brand so special.”

Recipe Restaurant Group International operates nearly 1,100 restaurants across Canada and internationally, with brands including Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, Montana’s, Kelsey’s Original Roadhouse and The Pickle Barrel.

Olive Garden has more than 920 restaurants globally and employs more than 96,000 people.