In mid-2025, Recipe Unlimited completed the acquisition of all eight Olive Garden restaurants in Canada from Darden Restaurants Inc. In addition to the acquisition, Recipe entered into a comprehensive development agreement with Darden to significantly expand the Olive Garden brand across Canada. Olive Garden is Italian-inspired casual family restaurant with a full menu ranging from salads to homemade soups and pastas along with its unlimited freshly baked bread sticks. Last week, the Recipe Restaurant Group announced the next phase of its national expansion of the brand in Canada. As part of its growth strategy, Recipe confirmed that the first new Olive Garden restaurants under its operational control will open at Vaughan Mills in Vaughan in Ontario, followed by a second location in the Westboro neighbourhood of Ottawa. Both restaurants are currently in active development, with openings expected in Summer 2026. Additional locations are in various stages of planning as Recipe continues to build a long-term, sustainable development pipeline across the country. “With these upcoming openings, we’re taking an important step in expanding Olive Garden’s footprint into new Canadian markets,” said Frank Hennessey, CEO of Recipe Restaurant Group. “This expansion reflects our confidence in the brand, the strength of our partnership with Darden, and our ability to execute thoughtfully and strategically across Canada.” Recipe Unlimited is Canada’s largest full-service restaurant company and counts over 1200 casual dining, quick service, and fast casual brands across Canada along with an international presence in the United States and the Middle East. The Italian inspired Olive Garden restaurants are generally in a 5500 to 8500 square foot range. Freestanding locations are preferred though dominant end cap locations are considered. Chris Canuel, Lawrence Hildebrand and Trevor Thomas at various Jones Lang LaSalle Real Estate Services offices are handling the real estate search in Canada for Olive Garden.
Jones Lang LaSalle Real Estate Services – (Chris Canuel – 416/391-6952 chris.canuel@jll.com), (Lawrence Hildebrand – 416/391-6977 lawrence.hildebrand@jll.com), Trevor Thomas – 604/628-4336 trevor.thomas@jll.com)
Recipe Unlimited, 199 Four Valley Dr., Vaughan, Ontario L4K 0B8 (905/760-2244 www.recipeunlimited.com & www.olivegarden.ca)