Plans for an Olive Garden Ajax restaurant have been officially confirmed, bringing the popular American-Italian dining chain back to Ontario after decades.
A communications manager representing Olive Garden and Chuy’s confirmed that a new Olive Garden Ajax restaurant will open in the town. While the project is still in its early development stage, officials say they are unable to provide a confirmed opening timeline at this time.
According to information available on the RioCan website, the upcoming Olive Garden Ajax restaurant will be located at the RioCan Durham Centre at 40 Kingston Road. The restaurant is expected to occupy a space several units east of Indigo, making it a prominent addition to the shopping and dining complex.
The opening marks Olive Garden’s return to Ontario after the brand exited the province in the 1990s. Earlier this year, Recipe Restaurant Group International announced that the chain is planning a significant expansion across Canada. The expansion includes two Ontario locations expected to open in Vaughan Mills and Ottawa’s Westboro neighbourhood, with additional sites, including the Olive Garden Ajax restaurant, currently in development.
Olive Garden already operates eight locations across western Canada. The company’s parent organization also manages several well-known Canadian restaurant brands, including Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, State & Main, Montana’s, New York Fries, Kelsey’s Original Roadhouse, and East Side Mario’s.
The arrival of the Olive Garden Ajax restaurant is expected to add new dining options and contribute to economic activity within the Durham Region community.
