Olive Garden Returning To North Solano

Olive Garden Returning To North Solano
By Ines Bebea | Daily Republic | November 07, 2007

VACAVILLE - Residents can officially start the countdown for the opening of Olive Garden. Company representatives confirmed Wednesday that the Tuscany, Italy-themed restaurant will open in early December.

The casual dining eatery will be located on the former site of the popular Coffee Tree restaurant at 100 Nut Tree Parkway. Olive Garden is owned by Darden Restaurants Inc., a Florida-based company. The Vacaville opening is part of the company's 2007 expansion, which will involve the opening of 30-35 new restaurants across the country.

'When we consider a location for a new restaurant, we look for a number of factors such as business growth and population size,' said Mara Frazier, a spokeswoman for Olive Garden. 'We also take into consideration the success of other businesses and how they are represented. The location was also a deciding factor in our decision.'

The company already has an Olive Garden restaurant in Vallejo, and the Vacaville expansion is the only one planned for Northern California. In addition to Olive Garden, Darden Restaurants Inc. is the parent company of the Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Season 52 restaurant brands.

It's freeway visibility and close proximity to the Nut Tree Family Park, as well as the plans for a new hotel in the vicinity, will be an added bonus for Vacaville, said Alex Hall, vice president of operations for the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce.

'One of our roles is to support new and old business in Vacaville, and we are looking forward to their opening,' Hall said. 'It is a brand that already has loyal customers and a following.'

Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
100 Nut Tree Parkway, Vacaville
Opening: Dec. 3