No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeBusinessUnlimited breadsticks, anyone? Olive Garden restaurants coming to Costa Rica

Unlimited breadsticks, anyone? Olive Garden restaurants coming to Costa Rica

Faux Italian restaurant Olive Garden is coming to Costa Rica.

The investment group AR Holdings announced Wednesday in a press release that it will invest $1.3 million to bring Olive Garden to Escazú in July 2020. Two more Olive Gardens are planned by 2022 — one in San José and the other in Heredia.

“We are excited to continue expanding operations in Central America and, together with AR Holdings, open the first restaurant in Costa Rica,” said Bradley Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Darden Restaurants, which owns the Olive Garden chain.

“We know that AR Holdings’ broad experience in the food and beverage industries, as well as retail, will help us successfully serve our clients in Costa Rica.”

According to AR Holdings, the Escazú Olive Garden building will encompass 450 square meters. That restaurant will employ 50 people.

Olive Garden is the largest Italian food restaurant chain in the United States, according to the company. There, it operates more than 850 restaurants and employs nearly 100,000 people.

The restaurant chain offers a North American take on Italian cuisine in a casual dining environment.

Importantly, their menu includes meals with unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks.

And who doesn’t love the taste of capitalism unlimited breadsticks?

Trending Now

Costa Rica Lands the Cover of National Geographic Traveller’s UK Edition

Costa Rica is the cover star and lead feature of the June 2026 edition of National Geographic Traveller (UK), one of the world's most...

Nicaragua Confirms Brooklyn Rivera Critically Ill as U.S. Demands Release

The Nicaraguan government acknowledged Saturday that the health of jailed Indigenous opposition leader Brooklyn Rivera is in “critical condition.” Rivera, 73, was arrested by...

Brazil’s Fonseca Ends Djokovic’s Quest for a 25th Major in Paris

Brazilian teenager João Fonseca produced the defining win of his young career on Friday, rallying from two sets down to stun Novak Djokovic 4-6,...

Argentina’s Top Hope Falls as Cerúndolo is Knocked Out of French Open

Argentina's Francisco Cerúndolo, the highest-ranked Latin American man in the Roland Garros draw, was knocked out of the French Open on Saturday, beaten in...

Former Costa Rican President Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Acquitted After 25 Years

A Costa Rican court on Friday acquitted former President Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría of embezzlement in the long-running "Reaseguros" case, closing one of the...

Costa Rican Boxing Star Yokasta Valle Eyes Another World Title

Costa Rican boxing star Yokasta Valle will return to the ring Saturday, May 30, with a chance to add another major belt to one...

Costa Rica Names Its Best Coffees of 2026 at the Cup of Excellence

A Java-variety coffee grown in the Los Santos region claimed the top spot among washed coffees in Costa Rica's Taza de la Excelencia (Cup...

Costa Rica Growth Expected to Slow as Global Risks Rise

The International Monetary Fund expects Costa Rica’s economy to slow in 2026, even as our country remains on solid footing compared with much of...

Costa Rica Soccer Team Rocked by Off-Field Problems Before England Match

Costa Rica’s men’s national team is facing another setback at the start of Fernando “Bocha” Batista’s rebuild, after three players were removed from camp...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador

Live prediction market odds via Kalshi. Updates every 60 seconds.
Kalshi is available to US residents 18+. The Tico Times may earn a commission from new signups.

Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel