Restaurant India News: Olive Garden Enters India as Gourmet Investments Targets 125 Restaurants

Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group, the operator of PizzaExpress and Chili's in India, is planning to double its restaurant network over the next three years and launch the Olive Garden brand in the country on Monday, according to the company’s CEO.

The move comes as several international consumer and hospitality brands continue to increase investments in India, driven by expectations of sustained spending from affluent consumers despite global inflationary pressures.

Olive Garden, established in 1982, is known for its Italian-American dining format and signature unlimited breadsticks and salad offerings. The chain currently operates nearly 1,000 restaurants across 12 countries and is part of Darden Restaurants, which also owns brands including LongHorn Steakhouse and Chuy’s.

Rohan Pewekar, CEO of Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group, said, “(Gourmet Investments has a) vision of scaling to nearly 100 to 125 stores across formats and categories over the next three years (from around 55).”

As part of the expansion strategy, the company expects Olive Garden’s restaurant count in India to cross 10 outlets within three years before accelerating growth further across major urban markets.

The company said Olive Garden’s India operations will retain the brand’s international menu while introducing additional vegetarian offerings to cater to local consumer preferences. Adapting menus for vegetarian demand has become a common strategy among international restaurant chains operating in India.

Global quick service and casual dining brands such as McDonald's and Domino's Pizza have already localised pricing and menu strategies in India to compete with regional food options, including value-led offerings priced below $1. Pewekar described Olive Garden’s positioning in India as a “premium casual dining” brand, though financial details related to the launch and expansion plans were not disclosed.