Darden seeks a UK franchise partner for Olive Garden

Darden, the US company behind Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille, is looking for a franchise partner to bring its restaurants to the UK.

The group wants one franchise partner per brand to run a nationwide rollout, rather than splitting territories between operators. It already franchises 175 restaurants outside the US, including locations in Spain, China and India, and launched its first international franchise more than a decade ago.

Olive Garden alone operates in more than 25 markets worldwide. Darden expects its UK brands to open within two years of signing the right partner, according to Brad Smith, the company's president of international and franchising.

Olive Garden is American-Italian and is not trying to emulate Italy.

Manchester before London

Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse are set to debut outside the capital, in cities including Manchester, Leeds and Bristol. Smith said central London is not a priority for either brand, "because of the cost of real estate and level of competition."

The Capital Grille, which targets upmarket and business diners, is the exception. Darden sees it as a possible London flagship once a partner is found, aimed at a different, higher-spending audience than the other two brands.

Darden operates more than 2,100 restaurants across 10 brands in total, with 85 of its US restaurants already run under franchise alongside the 175 abroad. Industry sources say the company has been working with the property consultancy WhiteSpace Partners to identify candidates, following an earlier move into Madrid.

A value pitch, not an import

Smith was blunt about what Olive Garden is selling. "Olive Garden is American-Italian and is not trying to emulate Italy," he said, pitching unlimited breadsticks and set-price specials against a British casual dining market that has spent years raising prices.

He argued domestic chains have tried to copy that formula without matching its economics. "Competitors have tried to replicate that value proposition but have not found a way to make the economics work," Smith said, pointing to Darden's scale in food purchasing as the real advantage.

A UK launch would land at a time when UK casual dining chains such as Hawksmoor have reported rising turnover, and another US chain, Jersey Mike's, is also testing the London market with its first four sites. Whether British diners take to a menu built around endless breadsticks remains, for now, Darden's bet to make.