Midlothian is officially on the Olive Garden map. The chain has filed plans for a new restaurant at 251 Nicolette Creek Road, with construction slated to kick off on July 6 and wrap in March 2027. The single-story build is listed at 7,828 square feet and carries a roughly $2.6 million price tag, according to the initial filings. If it opens on schedule, the site would spare southern Dallas–Fort Worth suburbs a longer drive for those Olive Garden nights out.
Permits and timeline
Documents submitted to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation lay out the address, square footage, budget and projected schedule for the project, pegging July 6 as the official start and March 2027 as the anticipated finish. This reporting is based on documents reviewed by What Now, which notes that the restaurant is planned at 7,828 square feet with an estimated cost of about $2.6 million.
Where it fits in Darden’s growth plans
The Midlothian location lines up with a broader development push by Darden Restaurants. Company leaders have told investors they expect about 40 to 45 new openings between Olive Garden and LongHorn in the coming fiscal year. Those remarks came during Darden’s earnings call and are summarized in the call transcript and coverage by Motley Fool.
Local reaction and location context
Early chatter in local posts and community threads shows a split reaction: plenty of excitement about easier access to breadsticks and pasta, with a side of grumbling from residents who would rather see more independent concepts than another national chain. As The Sun and other outlets point out, Midlothian sits roughly 25 miles south of downtown Dallas, which would put the new restaurant within reach of several southern suburbs once it opens.
How to track progress
Official permitting and inspections for new commercial projects in Midlothian run through the city’s Development Services and Building Inspections departments. Residents who want to follow every stage, from permit filing to final inspections, can use the city’s building permits portal and MyGov system, according to the City of Midlothian.
If the project stays on schedule, the buildout would bring construction jobs first, followed by permanent hourly and manager roles once doors open, mirroring how Darden has staffed recent rollouts in other markets. We will keep an eye on permit activity and any formal announcements from Darden or Olive Garden for a locked-in opening date.
