Olive Garden, the Italian inspired casual dining chain known for family style meals and generous portions, is getting ready to open a new location in Ajax.
The company’s new Ajax restaurant is the third confirmed opening tied to Olive Garden’s Canadian expansion under Recipe Restaurant Group International, according to Food Service and Hospitality. The announcement follows previously confirmed locations at Vaughan Mills in Vaughan and in the Westboro neighborhood of Ottawa. Construction timelines and an anticipated opening date for the Ajax location have not yet been announced. Customers can expect Olive Garden’s familiar menu of pasta dishes, soups, salads, and freshly baked breadsticks.
“It’s an exciting time for Olive Garden in Canada,” Frank Hennessey, Chief Executive Officer of Recipe Restaurant Group, said in a press release. “Each new location is a meaningful step in our national expansion, bringing the Olive Garden experience to more communities across the country.”
This update builds on prior reporting from What Now Toronto, which first covered Olive Garden’s planned opening at Vaughan Mills as part of Recipe’s broader Ontario growth strategy. That Vaughan location is currently expected to open in Summer 2026. Together, the Vaughan, Westboro, and Ajax restaurants represent a significant expansion of the brand’s presence in Eastern Canada. Recipe has indicated that additional locations are in various stages of planning nationwide.
The expansion follows Recipe Restaurant Group International’s acquisition of Olive Garden’s existing Western Canadian locations and a national development agreement with Darden Restaurants, Inc., Olive Garden’s parent company. Olive Garden operates more than 920 restaurants worldwide and was founded in 1982. Recipe Restaurant Group operates nearly 1,100 restaurants across Canada, with additional locations in the United States and the Middle East. The company oversees a large portfolio of full-service restaurant brands across multiple markets.
Ajax was identified as a strong market within the Greater Toronto Area as Recipe continues to roll out its national development plans. The community offers access to a growing population and established retail corridors that support full-service dining concepts. This will be an excellent landing space for Olive Garden as the brand continues to expand beyond its existing Canadian footprint.
