Capitol Heights, MD, Dec. 5, 2017 - Today, the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President and CEO Jim Coleman joined dignitaries from the Capitol Heights area and other local business and community leaders for the Grand Opening of a brand-new Olive Garden Italian Kitchen Restaurant in the Ritchie Station Marketplace. State Delegate Angela Angel (Dist. 25), Tracy O'Connor, Olive Garden Director of Operations, representatives from the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, and the Central High School Pep Band and Cheerleaders were all on hand to welcome Moses Ntale, Olive Garden's General Manager to the neighborhood. Mr. Coleman was delighted to greet the new neighbors and welcome them to Prince George's County.
"Prince George's County deserves quality, sit-down restaurants," said Coleman. "Today, our residents have 185 reasons to celebrate and enjoy the brand-new Olive Garden here, in Capitol Heights. Not only is this restaurant bringing delicious food to the thriving Ritchie Station Marketplace development, but they are also employing 185 Prince George's County residents! My Economic Development Team and I are excited to have a new restaurant to frequent. Congratulations to Mr. Ntale and the Olive Garden family. We are delighted with their choice to expand in Prince George's County!"
The Ritchie Station Marketplace Olive Garden is the chain's fourth Olive Garden in Prince George's County. This 7,800-square foot facility showcases its new restaurant design and brings its own brand of 'Hospitaliano' (warmth, generosity and caring) to the community.
Prior to its Grand Opening, the Olive Garden management team conducted more than 1000 interviews and selected just 185 highly qualified individuals to complete its Capitol Heights Team. Its management training team is comprised of culinary professionals and servers from across the country who will work side-by-side with the new recruits to help them learn the business from top to bottom General Manager Moses Ntale recalled his first encounter with Olive Garden and told the attendees why he is so committed to the Olive Garden family.
"When I came to America from Uganda, I didn't have anything. I was a dishwasher for Olive Garden," said Ntale. "The Olive Garden family took care of me with their 'Hospitaliano', and through hard work and diligence, I have been blessed to open four other Olive Gardens throughout the East Coast and am now the General Manager in Capitol Heights. I am excited to be a part of the Prince George's County community and I am looking forward to giving its residents the same opportunities that Olive Garden extended to me many years ago."
County has 185 more reasons to welcome the new Olive Garden to Ritchie Station Marketplace