A beloved family restaurant chain is poised for important growth across Canada. Recipe Unlimited Corporation announced this week that it has acquired the eight existing Olive Garden restaurants in the country from Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Olive Garden, renowned for its unlimited breadsticks and Italian-inspired cuisine, first opened its doors in Florida in 1982. While the brand previously had a presence in the Greater Toronto Area, the current eight locations are situated in Western Canada, spanning British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

This acquisition is accompanied by a development agreement between recipe Unlimited and Darden, which grants Recipe Unlimited exclusive rights to develop and operate new Olive Garden restaurants throughout Canada. The partnership signals a strong commitment to expanding the brand’s footprint and bringing its popular family-amiable dining experience to more Canadian communities.

Recipe Unlimited, a prominent Canadian restaurant operator, is the owner of several well-known chains, including Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario’s, and the Pickle barrel.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Olive Garden into the Recipe family,” stated frank Hennessey,CEO of Recipe Unlimited. “Olive Garden is a brand with a strong legacy of success and a loyal following, and we see immense potential for growth across Canada. 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.”

Further details regarding the timeline for new location openings will be released at a later date.