The Olive Garden is bringing its breadsticks to Vacaville.

Olive Garden to sprout up in Vacaville

By Amanda Janis/Business Editor

Article Launched: 01/24/2007 06:15:14 AM PST

The Olive Garden is bringing its breadsticks to Vacaville.

"We expect that we will probably start construction (on a new restaurant) later this spring, and look to open probably in mid- to late fall," confirmed Steve Coe, director of media relations for the Italian-style chain restaurant.

Coe was unable to provide the new restaurant's exact location within the city at press time; however, industry insiders say the chain will take over the former Coffee Tree site in Coffee Tree Plaza on Nut Tree Parkway. Phone and e-mail requests by The Reporter to confirm the information were not returned by the Coffee Tree Plaza's leasing agent.

Vacaville's Olive Garden, Coe said, "will be built in what we call our Tuscan farmhouse style, which is the way all of our restaurants are built."

It will incorporate a great deal of stone and wood, echoing the company's remodeled farm house in Tuscany that serves as a culinary training school. The Vacaville restaurant will have about 7,400 square feet and a dining room capacity of 224 to 235 guests.

Coe was unable to provide specific information as to why Olive Garden decided Vacaville is a viable location, after having previously closed its location in neighboring Fairfield, but did say determining factors include demographics, development trends, growth generators, and neighboring restaurants.

Olive Garden is part of Darden Restaurants, Inc., the world's largest casual dining restaurant company. It operates nearly 1,400 Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill and Seasons 52 restaurants in North America.

Amanda Janis can be reached at business@thereporter.com.