Darden Restaurants is moving aggressively in 2026, with new Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen locations opening across the United States and Canada.
The company plans to add between 65 and 70 restaurants while also converting former Bahama Breeze sites into stronger-performing brands.
Key highlights:
- A new Capital Grille opening in downtown Nashville
- New Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse locations in Corpus Christi, Texas
- A Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen replacing Bahama Breeze in Gainesville, Florida
- Olive Garden returning to Ontario with a new Ottawa location
- A wider strategy that combines new construction with restaurant conversions
For diners, investors, and local communities, the Darden Restaurants new location strategy reveals where the company is growing next and which brands are driving that growth.
Why Is Darden Restaurants Expanding with New Locations in 2026?
Darden Restaurants new location plans are part of a broader strategy to strengthen its top-performing brands.
The company expects to open 65 to 70 new restaurants between May 2025 and May 2026, mainly focused on Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse.
Darden is also expanding its fine dining brands, including The Capital Grille, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and Eddie V’s, which continue to perform well despite a softer casual dining market.
“We continue to see opportunity to grow our strongest brands in both existing and new markets,” said Darden CFO Raj Vennam.
The company is also reshaping its portfolio by replacing weaker concepts. Bahama Breeze locations are being converted into Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.
| Brand | Planned Growth Focus | Key Markets |
| Olive Garden | 70 new restaurants | Texas, Ontario, Southeastern US |
| LongHorn Steakhouse | 25–30 new units annually | Texas, Florida, Midwest |
| The Capital Grille | Fine-dining expansion | Nashville, San Antonio, Colorado |
| Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen | Conversion growth | Florida, Southern US |
Overall, Darden’s expansion reflects a focused strategy to grow stronger brands while improving long-term profitability.
Which Darden Restaurants New Location Openings Have Already Been Confirmed?
Several locations have already been confirmed, with some restaurants now open and others still under construction. The newest developments span Tennessee, Texas, Florida, and Canada.
| Brand | Location | Status | Expected Opening |
| The Capital Grille | Nashville, Tennessee | Opened | April 17, 2026 |
| Olive Garden | Corpus Christi, Texas | Under construction | February 2027 |
| LongHorn Steakhouse | Corpus Christi, Texas | Under construction | December 2026 |
| Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen | Gainesville, Florida | Opening soon | May 11, 2026 |
| Olive Garden | Ottawa, Ontario | Announced | Summer 2026 |
The Nashville opening is the most high-profile, expanding Darden’s fine-dining presence in a fast-growing market.
Texas remains a key focus, with both Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse planned for Corpus Christi.
Canada is also back in focus, with Olive Garden reopening in Ontario after more than two decades, highlighting new long-term growth opportunities beyond the US.
Where Is the Capital Grille Opening Its Newest Restaurant?
The Capital Grille is expanding again with a new location in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
As one of Darden Restaurants’ leading fine-dining brands, the new restaurant strengthens the company’s presence in a fast-growing market for upscale dining.
The New Nashville Location at 1223 Broadway
The newest Capital Grille officially opened on April 17, 2026, at 1223 Broadway in downtown Nashville.
The 9,582-square-foot restaurant joins Nashville’s growing collection of upscale dining venues and gives Darden another flagship location in a major urban market.
The restaurant includes a lounge area and two private event spaces, making it suitable for both business dinners and social gatherings. It is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What Can Diners Expect from the Menu and Wine Experience?
The Nashville location follows the same premium concept that has made The Capital Grille one of Darden’s fastest-growing fine-dining brands.
Guests can expect:
- Dry-aged steaks aged in-house for 18 to 24 days
- Signature menu items such as Bone-In Dry Aged NY Strip and Porcini-Rubbed Bone-In Ribeye
- More than 350 wines stored in a temperature-controlled cellar
- A wine collection of more than 3,000 bottles
According to a company spokesperson, “The Capital Grille continues to resonate with guests because it delivers a premium dining experience while still feeling welcoming and approachable.”
The restaurant has also built a reputation among wine enthusiasts. Nearly 60 Capital Grille locations have earned recognition from Wine Spectator, and every restaurant provides extensive wine training for employees.
How Are Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse Growing Across the USA?
Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse remain Darden Restaurants’ main growth drivers. Olive Garden is expected to add around 70 new restaurants this year, while LongHorn plans 25–30 new openings annually.
These brands perform strongly by appealing to broad audiences. Olive Garden attracts families and value-focused diners, while LongHorn benefits from demand for affordable steakhouse dining.
Texas highlights this strategy, with multiple new locations planned due to rapid population growth and strong suburban demand. The dual opening in Corpus Christi may serve as a model for future expansion.
Darden is also introducing smaller restaurant formats to cut costs and speed up openings. Brands like Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Yard House are already testing these designs, with Olive Garden likely to follow in select markets.
What Will Happen at the New Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse in Corpus Christi?
Corpus Christi is one of the clearest examples of Darden’s expansion strategy in action. The company has filed plans for both a new Olive Garden and a new LongHorn Steakhouse at Nemec Towne Center.
Construction Timeline for the Corpus Christi Restaurants
The new Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse are being built at Nemec Towne Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Construction on LongHorn Steakhouse is scheduled to begin first, starting in May 2026. Olive Garden construction is expected to begin in June.
The timeline currently points to LongHorn Steakhouse opening in December 2026, followed by Olive Garden in February 2027.
| Restaurant | Construction Start | Estimated Completion | Restaurant Size |
| LongHorn Steakhouse | May 2026 | December 2026 | 5,800 sq. ft. |
| Olive Garden | June 2026 | February 2027 | 7,800 sq. ft. |
Restaurant Size and Development Plans
The Olive Garden will be the larger of the two restaurants, occupying just over 7,800 square feet. LongHorn Steakhouse will be slightly smaller at 5,800 square feet.
These locations matter because they represent Darden’s second phase of expansion after the closure of Bahama Breeze restaurants. Rather than slowing down, the company is reinvesting those resources into stronger-performing brands.
While researching local reaction to the Corpus Christi project, I came across comments from nearby residents who are already eager for the new restaurants to open.
One resident told local media, “We’ve been waiting for more family restaurant options in this area, especially Olive Garden. It feels like the city is finally getting the kind of dining choices people have wanted for years.”
That enthusiasm shows why Darden continues to invest in developing suburban restaurant centers.
Why Is Darden Restaurants Converting Former Bahama Breeze Locations?
Darden Restaurants initially planned to close all 28 Bahama Breeze locations by early 2026 but later revised its approach.
Instead of full closures, 14 restaurants will be converted into other Darden brands over the next 18 months, while the remaining 14 will shut permanently.
This shift allows Darden to reuse existing properties rather than build new ones from scratch. Conversions are typically faster and more cost-effective, especially when locations already have kitchens, dining areas, and strong sites.
Key reasons behind the strategy:
- Lower costs compared to new construction
- Faster rollout of new restaurant brands
- Better use of established locations
- Focus on higher-performing concepts
Analysts expect many sites to become Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, or Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen locations.
Rick Cardenas, Darden’s President and CEO, recently stated:
“Our portfolio strategy is centered on investing behind the brands where we see the best opportunity for sustainable long-term growth.”
Which Darden Brand Is Replacing Bahama Breeze in Gainesville, Florida?
Darden’s decision to convert former Bahama Breeze locations is already taking shape in Gainesville, Florida, where one of the company’s fastest-growing brands is preparing to move in.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Takes Over the Former Bahama Breeze Site
One of the first confirmed Bahama Breeze conversions is already happening in Gainesville, Florida. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen will open on May 11, 2026, at 3989 Plaza Boulevard in the Butler North shopping plaza.
The new restaurant is replacing a Bahama Breeze that closed in May 2025. This gives Darden an opportunity to keep the site active while introducing a brand that better matches local demand.
What Makes the New Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Different?
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen focuses on classic American comfort food rather than Caribbean-inspired dishes. Its menu includes country fried chicken, burgers, ribs, meatloaf, and other familiar favorites.
The Gainesville opening also demonstrates how Darden’s conversion strategy can accelerate growth:
- Faster opening timeline because the building already exists
- Lower development costs than a new construction project
- Ability to bring a more popular brand into an established location
Gainesville now has one of the strongest Darden footprints in Florida, with Cheddar’s, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Chuy’s all operating in the area.
How Is Darden Restaurants Expanding Beyond the United States?
Darden’s expansion is no longer limited to the United States. Olive Garden is returning to Ontario, Canada, with a new location opening in Ottawa during summer 2026.
The restaurant will be located at 675 Kirkwood Avenue in the Westboro area and will occupy the former East Side Mario’s location. This marks Olive Garden’s first Ontario opening in more than 20 years.
The Canadian expansion is possible because Recipe Unlimited Group acquired Olive Garden’s Canadian operations from Darden in 2025. Recipe Unlimited now controls the brand’s growth strategy in Canada and is expected to open additional Ontario locations if the Ottawa restaurant performs well.
For Darden, this is a lower-risk way to expand internationally while still benefiting from the Olive Garden brand.
What Does the Darden Restaurants New Location Timeline Look Like?
The Darden Restaurants new location timeline stretches from spring 2026 into early 2027. Some restaurants have already opened, while others remain in planning or construction.
| Brand and Location | Status | Opening or Completion Date |
| The Capital Grille – Nashville, TN | Opened | April 17, 2026 |
| Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen – Gainesville, FL | Scheduled | May 11, 2026 |
| Olive Garden – Ottawa, Ontario | Scheduled | Summer 2026 |
| LongHorn Steakhouse – Corpus Christi, TX | Under Construction | December 2026 |
| Olive Garden – Corpus Christi, TX | Under Construction | February 2027 |
The timeline shows that Darden’s expansion is not a short-term push. Instead, it represents a long-term strategy likely to continue through 2027 and beyond.
Why Are Some Darden Brands Expanding Faster Than Others?
Darden Restaurants is expanding its strongest-performing brands more quickly because they deliver consistent sales and customer demand. Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and The Capital Grille continue to attract steady traffic and reliable revenue growth.
By contrast, Bahama Breeze has struggled, leading Darden to reduce investment in that concept and shift focus elsewhere.
Fine dining is also becoming more important, with Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Eddie V’s showing strong performance.
Key drivers of faster expansion:
- Strong sales and customer demand
- Growth in premium dining markets
- Efficient strategies like smaller formats and conversions
Overall, Darden is balancing growth with cost control by focusing on high-performing brands and efficient expansion methods.
What Should Diners and Investors Know About Future Darden Restaurant Openings?
Darden Restaurants new location plans show that the company is not simply adding more restaurants, it is reshaping its entire portfolio.
Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse are likely to remain the company’s biggest growth drivers, while The Capital Grille continues to expand in high-end urban markets.
Diners should expect more announcements in Texas, Florida, and other rapidly growing states. Investors, meanwhile, will be watching whether Darden can maintain strong sales while opening so many new restaurants at once.
The combination of new builds, converted Bahama Breeze properties, and international expansion gives Darden one of the most ambitious restaurant growth plans in the industry today.
Final Thoughts
Darden Restaurants’ new location strategy shows a clear shift toward its strongest and most profitable brands.
With Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen leading the way, the company is expanding through both new construction and former Bahama Breeze conversions.
These openings will bring more dining options to growing markets across the US and Canada.
As additional locations are announced, Darden’s expansion plans will remain one of the restaurant industry’s biggest stories.
FAQs About Darden Restaurants New Location
Is Darden Restaurants planning to open more than 70 new locations?
Darden has said it expects to open between 65 and 70 locations, but that number could increase if more Bahama Breeze conversions move forward quickly.
What are the newest cities where Darden is opening restaurants?
Recent confirmed cities include Nashville, Corpus Christi, Gainesville, and Ottawa.
Are all future Darden restaurant openings brand-new buildings?
No. Several new restaurants will be created by converting former Bahama Breeze properties.
How long does it usually take for a new Darden restaurant to open?
A typical new restaurant takes between eight and 12 months from construction to opening, depending on permits and location.
Which Darden-owned brands are considered fine dining?
The Capital Grille, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and Eddie V’s are Darden’s primary fine-dining brands.
Could more Bahama Breeze restaurants be converted in the future?
Yes. Darden has already announced 14 conversions, and additional changes could happen if the strategy proves successful.
Where can customers find updates about future Darden restaurant openings?
Customers can follow Darden’s investor updates, local permit filings, and announcements from individual restaurant brands.
