Olive Garden restaurant to open Monday

ALBANY, Ga. — Olive Garden will open at 2701 Dawson Road in Albany at 11 a.m. Monday, creating 180 new jobs for the area.

The 7,441-square-foot restaurant can host up to 246 guests and features a design that is inspired by traditional farmhouses found in Tuscany, Italy.

The Albany Olive Garden has a rustic stone exterior, typical of the buildings in the Italian countryside, and an interior accented by Italian imports. Ceilings supported by exposed wood beams, stone and wood accents throughout, and terra cotta tile highlight the interior.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the Albany restaurant and a great team at Olive Garden,” said Kenneth Hall, the restaurant’s newly named general manager.

Hall has been with Olive Garden for a little more than a year, most recently as culinary manager of the location at 1961 Jonesboro Road in McDonough. Hall attended Albany State University, where his area of concentration was business management.