Olive Garden, the popular Italian-inspired casual dining chain, is set to expand its presence in Ontario with a new location in Ajax. This new restaurant marks the third confirmed opening as part of Olive Garden’s Canadian expansion under the management of Recipe Restaurant Group International. The announcement follows previously confirmed locations at Vaughan Mills in Vaughan and in the Westboro neighborhood of Ottawa.
Details of the Expansion
While the exact construction timelines and anticipated opening date for the Ajax location have not been disclosed, customers can expect a familiar menu featuring pasta dishes, soups, salads, and the chain’s renowned freshly baked breadsticks. “It’s an exciting time for Olive Garden in Canada,” stated Frank Hennessey, Chief Executive Officer of Recipe Restaurant Group. “Each new location is a meaningful step in our national expansion, bringing the Olive Garden experience to more communities across the country.”
This development builds on prior reporting from What Now Toronto, which initially covered Olive Garden’s planned opening at Vaughan Mills, highlighting Recipe’s broader growth strategy in Ontario. The Vaughan location is currently projected to open in Summer 2026. Together, the Vaughan, Westboro, and Ajax restaurants signify a significant increase in the brand’s footprint in Eastern Canada.
Strategic Market Selection
Recipe Restaurant Group has indicated that additional Olive Garden locations are in various stages of planning across Canada. The expansion follows Recipe’s acquisition of Olive Garden’s existing locations in Western Canada, along with a national development agreement with Darden Restaurants, Inc., Olive Garden’s parent company. With over 920 restaurants worldwide, Olive Garden has established itself as a significant player in the casual dining sector since its founding in 1982.
Recipe Restaurant Group operates nearly 1,100 restaurants across Canada, along with additional locations in the United States and the Middle East. The company manages a diverse portfolio of full-service restaurant brands across multiple markets, making its expansion efforts notable.
Ajax has been identified as a promising market within the Greater Toronto Area, aligning with Recipe’s national development plans. The community is characterized by a growing population and established retail corridors that support full-service dining concepts, making it an ideal location for Olive Garden’s continued growth beyond its current Canadian footprint.
As the new Ajax restaurant prepares for its opening, the expansion reflects Olive Garden’s commitment to delivering its well-loved dining experience to more patrons across Ontario.
