The Bistro Group said it signed an agreement for Olive Garden, an American-Italian casual dining restaurant, to open its first restaurant in the Philippines.
Targeted to be launched in the first quarter of 2020, the restaurant will be located at Ayala Mall Manila Bay.
Olive Garden is one of the eight differentiated brands of Darden Restaurants Inc. and the largest casual dining brand in the US in terms of revenue ($4.5 billion). Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the company operates more than 850 locations in the US and Canada, with franchised restaurants in Brazil, Kuwait, UAE, Panama and US territories, Guam and Puerto Rico.
“We are excited to partner with The Bistro Group,” said Brad Smith, senior vice-president for franchising of Darden International. “Their extensive portfolio of brands and exceptional performance in the local dining industry for over two decades speaks to their success. We are very selective in the franchisees we choose and The Bistro Group shares the same philosophy—good food, service and great value.”
Smith was in the country to sign the franchising contract with The Bistro Group chairman William Stelton and president and COO Jean Paul Manuud.
“Olive Garden is a perfect fit for our business. It’s a casual dining place which puts a premium on quality and service gained from 37 years of operation, understanding and expertise in the food industry. They also align with our strategy to provide the market with the best that restaurant chains have to offer. The taste profile of their dishes is what Filipinos love—hearty, flavorful and great for sharing. We are enthusiastic that this concept will succeed in the local market,” said Manuud.
Olive Garden serves American-style Italian food targeted towards families in a Tuscan farmhouse setting. A first-timer in the restaurant must try the signature soup, salad and breadsticks as well as the bestselling “Tour of Italy”, a platter made up of three classic dishes Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico and Fettuccine Alfredo. It is a good representation of the cuisine.
