Olive Garden has officially arrived in Selma, cutting the ribbon on its first local restaurant last Friday at Eastfield and kicking off regular service in the fast-growing retail cluster east of Raleigh. The national Italian chain joins a roster of big-box and midscale retailers that have been moving into the sprawling development.
Developer AdVenture Development hosted the Feb. 13 ribbon-cutting, and company president Kevin Dougherty said the partnership with Darden "represents a significant investment in our local workforce and a profound commitment to our community’s well-being," according to the Triangle East Chamber. The chamber also reported that Olive Garden marked the grand opening with a $5,000 donation to the Partnership for Children of Johnston County.
Eastfield's growth and anchors
Eastfield is a 435-acre, master-planned, mixed-use project marketed to both local shoppers and I-95 travelers, with more than 3 million square feet of permitted space at the site, according to AdVenture Development. The tenant list already includes Academy Sports + Outdoors, Ulta Beauty, Hobby Lobby and Old Navy, with BJ's Wholesale Club and Target among the major anchors that have opened or are under construction.
Olive Garden's footprint and hiring
Olive Garden’s locations page lists the Selma/Eastfield restaurant as "Now Open," and the company’s careers site shows multiple open positions tied to the same address, according to Olive Garden. The job postings, which were listed in February 2026, show the restaurant address as 191 St Mark Ave, Selma, and indicate the site is shifting from soft-open status toward full, day-to-day operations.
What it means for Triangle East
Construction partners and contractors say Eastfield is filling quickly with a mix of retail, restaurants and housing designed to appeal to nearby residents as well as highway travelers, and the project lists Darden concepts among its restaurant commitments, according to Builtech. As anchors and national chains open their doors, developers and local officials expect the buildout to bring more jobs and tax revenue into Johnston County.
Olive Garden’s Selma debut adds to the brand’s Triangle footprint; the News & Observer notes the chain already operates locations in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary and Holly Springs. For diners in eastern Wake and Johnston counties, the Eastfield Olive Garden offers a familiar sit-down option without the longer trek into Raleigh.
