Expanding India’s casual dining landscape, the renowned global brand opens its first outlet in Delhi’s Aerocity.
Fans of the TV show ‘Shrinking’ will be aware of the American-Italian dining chain Olive Garden, where one of the characters waxes lyrical about the quality and taste of their singular breadsticks. Fortunately, now one can try this famed item, and everything else Olive Garden has to offer, at its first outpost in India at World St. at Worldmark, Aerocity, New Delhi. Soon, expansion plans will take them to other parts of India too.
Ever since the chain opened its doors in 1982, it has come to be known for its generous portions, freshly made pastas and unlimited servings of soup, salads and breadsticks. Currently, the brand runs over 980 restaurants across 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Aruba, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Spain.
“With its India debut, Olive Garden brings a specially curated menu adapted for Indian consumers while retaining the globally loved signatures that have built the brand’s legacy over the decades. The launch marks a significant moment within India’s evolving premium casual dining landscape,” says Rohan Pewekar, Chief Executive Officer, Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group, which has brought the brand to India.
Ramit Bharti Mittal, Executive Chairman and Director, Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group, adds, “Launching Olive Garden in India is a natural progression of our vision to bring thoughtfully chosen, global dining icons to India to cater to the evolving consumer aspirations in the country. In deep collaboration with Darden International & Franchising, we have ensured that the brand’s hallmark hospitality, comfort-driven menu, and celebratory, family-style experience are authentically reimagined for India. This milestone marks an important step in our long-term ambition to shape the country’s premium, family-focused dining landscape.”
Brad Smith, President, Darden International & Franchising, shares his excitement. He says, “We are thrilled to partner with our franchise Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group to open our first Olive Garden in India here in Aero City, New Delhi. We know Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group’s deep restaurant experience will help us deliver Olive Garden’s signature never-ending American-Italian generosity to our Indian guests.”
S.K. Sayal, the Managing Director & CEO of Bharti Real Estate, also adds his two cents: “We are delighted to welcome Olive Garden to World St. at Worldmark, marking its much-anticipated debut in India. Bringing globally loved brands to Indian consumers has always been central to our vision, and this launch is a significant milestone in that journey. World St. is a curated culinary and social destination at Worldmark, Aerocity. Positioned as ‘The Social Spine of Worldmark’, it transforms Worldmark, the finest Global Business District in the country, into a vibrant, dynamic, and walkable lifestyle and food and beverage hub. The arrival of an iconic international brand like Olive Garden further strengthens this proposition, adding a new dimension to our culinary and lifestyle offering.”
Reflecting Olive Garden’s Tuscan roots, the World St. restaurant’s design features sun-lit tones, rustic textures, and warm lighting that evokes the charm of an Italian villa in the countryside. The indoor and alfresco spaces have been spearheaded by Incubis consultants, and offer an inviting setting for meals, celebrations, and family gatherings.
Talking about the food, Pewekar shares, “The India menu stays true to Olive Garden’s American Italian heritage while being thoughtfully adapted for local preferences. Guests can choose from a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian favourites, freshly prepared using high-quality ingredients. True to the Olive Garden experience worldwide, every entrée is served with the brand’s iconic never-ending soup or salad and warm, freshly baked breadsticks. Olive Garden’s signature favourites include Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna Classico, Chicken Parmigiana and the Tour of Italy featuring three favourites in one plate.
Globally, Olive Garden is recognised for its core food icons: freshly grated Parmesan done tableside, rich bowls of Fettuccine Alfredo and other hearty pastas, as well as their signature never-ending first course. Rooted in the belief that good food tastes better when shared, the brand has been a preferred gathering place for families and friends for over four decades.
Following the World St. launch, Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group will continue to expand Olive Garden’s presence in India, introducing the brand’s signature American Italian dining experience to more communities across the region.”
Pewekar, who holds a management degree from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, has extensive leadership experience in the hospitality industry. Among his many professional roles, he previously steered the strategic direction and operations of the Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group’s restaurant business in India, which includes bringing internationally acclaimed brands such as PizzaExpress, Chili’s, and P.F. Chang’s, among others, to the country. He ends by saying, “My focus is on strengthening brand presence, accelerating expansion, enhancing guest experience, and building high-performing teams to support the group’s next phase of growth in India.”
*Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.
