Jefferson City Olive Garden opens after years of anticipation
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Jefferson City’s long-awaited Olive Garden opened its doors Monday, drawing a line of customers outside the restaurant before seating started at 11 a.m.
The new restaurant is located on Missouri Boulevard. Customers lined up outside the building and into the parking lot as they waited for the doors to open, starting as early as 9 a.m. The restaurant’s opening comes after plans for a Jefferson City location were confirmed in October 2025.
For customer Kirsten Stegeman, having an Olive Garden in Jefferson City means her family no longer has to make the trip to Columbia.
“I think it’s great. I think it’s great for our community. We go to Olive Garden in Columbia. Now it’s closer to home,” Stegeman said.
Stegeman said people in Jefferson City have been talking about getting an Olive Garden for a long time.
Customer Lori Pitts said she sees new additions as part of the community’s growth.
“I work at the city chamber [of commerce] office, so we were talking about how we want the community to grow, and this is helping us to get that way and bringing something exciting for the people to look forward to,” Pitts said.
General Manager Adam Brown said the restaurant’s team spent about five weeks hiring and training ahead of Monday’s opening. Brown said employees come from Jefferson City and surrounding communities.
Brown said the excitement surrounding the restaurant became especially apparent as opening day approached.
“I will admit that I knew people were excited, but until this weekend, you know, and seeing the line out the door and we open, right. It really brings it to life,” Brown said.
Stegeman said having the restaurant in Jefferson City gives residents another option without having to leave town.
“It makes people excited to go out and something new to try and different. We don’t have to go to Columbia. We have it right here in our backyard,” Stegeman said.
The Jefferson City Olive Garden is open seven days a week.
