Iconic Italian restaurant chain shutters over 200 locations
Growing up about 20 minutes from Boston’s famous North End Italian district, my standards for Italian restaurants have always been high.
But I also grew up in the ’80s, when Chef Boyardee was a menu staple. So I’ve long understood that when I visit an Italian restaurant, it’s about expectations.
A chain can be good even if it doesn’t live up to the standards set by Boston’s oldest and best Italian restaurants. There’s room for a small Beefaroni, so to speak, next to the perfectly prepared chicken parmesan prepared according to your grandmother’s old world recipe.
But the Italian chains were hit or miss and many struggled. For example, Bertucci’s, a chain I’ve eaten at hundreds of times, only has a few locations left after going bankrupt multiple times.
Another chain, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, has also fallen on hard times, with fewer than 10 locations still operating. Chron.com.
At Romano’s Macaroni Grill, you can prepare both a set menu and your own pasta bowl. Guests could grab a provided sheet and check out whatever they wanted for pasta, sauce, and sauces, usually for under $20.
When the brand was sold in 2015, Ignite’s CEO Ray Blanchette explained why this decision was made.
“We continue to believe in the underlying strengths of the Macaroni Grill business. Unfortunately, the brand was unable to meet the milestones we set in a timely manner,” he said. Restaurant Management.
“As a result, we have determined that it is in the best interest of Ignite and our shareholders to sell the brand. Divesting Mac Grill will allow us to focus our resources on building momentum at Joe’s Crab Shack while growing Brick House Tavern & Tap.”
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RMG Acquisition Group, which acquired the chain in 2023, also believed that a turnaround was possible.
“We are committed to enriching the restaurant’s offerings while reconnecting customers with the signature Pasta Grill experiences they have loved for 25 years,” said Dan Lentes, the company’s new COO, according to a post on the company’s website. LinkedIn page.
“This includes things like the return of our fast, convenient and affordable lunch menu, revamping our world-famous happy hour with exciting new drinks and delicious small plates, as well as launching a new loyalty program in partnership with Spend to reward our customers and keep them coming back.”
There are less than 10 Pasta Grill locations left.Shutterstock” loading=”lazy” height=”540″ width=”960″ class=”yf-lglytj loader”/>
There are less than 10 Pasta Grill locations left.Shutterstock
1988: Founded by Philip J. Romano in Leon Springs (San Antonio), Texas.
2019: The number of operations further decreases by approx. 85 locations nationwide (pre-pandemic).
2021: Following the effects of the pandemic, the number of units decreased to 2 41 restaurantsaccordingly FSR Magazine.
2023: Ownership changes (acquired by RMG Acquisition Company); reports show that 28 company-owned and 10 franchised locations during sales, FSR Magazine reported.
End of 2025The latest reports show that the chain’s footprint has shrunk significantly: Romano’s website lists 17 locations, a sharp decrease from past counts. Local reports and restaurant data show nine restaurants nationwide are still open, according to Restaurant Business Online.
The decline of Romano’s Macaroni Grill has been slow and quiet.
Between 2020 and 2025, menu prices at 16 major American restaurant chains, including Chili’s, The Cheesecake Factory and TGI Fridays, increased by an average of 39%, nearly double national prices. inflation by 22% compared to FinansBuzz.
This should help the chain, which has reasonable prices compared to its competitors, but it may be losing out because it doesn’t offer anything that Olive Garden does.
Typical menu price ranges: 2025-2026: Antipasti/appetizers: $9-$16+ (e.g. bruschetta $9-$12, calamari $14-16) Pasta entrées: $18-30+ (e.g. Pasta Milano $19.50-$24, Seafood Ravioli $24+, steak $30) Source: Restaurant Menu Price
Typical starting prices (2025-2026): Pasta and classics: Approximately $17.99-$28 (cheese ravioli, chicken parmigiana, Fettuccine Alfredo) Premium entrées/seafood combinations: $28-$31.99 Source: Olive Garden Menu
Notable difference: Olive Garden includes: unlimited breadsticks and soup/salad A perceived non-standard value at Macaroni Grill with many appetizers.
Typical price ranges: 2025-2026 Appetizers: $9-15 (calamari, meatballs, mozzarella marinara) Pasta entrées: $18-25 (Fettuccine Carrabba, lasagna) Chicken and beef dishes: Approximately $18-25+ (Chicken Bryan, Pollo Rosa Maria) Seafood and steak: $23-36 for premium items (salmon, filet, ribeye).
Carabba’s also offers soup or salad with entrees, but it’s not unlimited.
With so many consumers locked in on value right now, unlimited soup and breadsticks may have driven more customers to Olive Garden.
“It is important for restaurants to remember that value is rarely defined by price alone,” David Portalatin, Circana senior vice president and industry consultant for food and dining services, said in a statement. he said. Country’s Restaurant News.
“Operational excellence in providing quality, affordability, great experiences and convenience ensures that restaurants and their supply chain “We share in greater success.”
Romano’s Pasta Grill may compete well on price, but may lack on perceived value.
“The meaning of ‘value’ for the dining consumer in 2025 will move beyond price to include a blend of experience, hospitality and affordability,” the National Restaurant Association said. he said in a press release. “Research emphasizes that warm environments and socializing are the main motivators for consumers.”
While Olive Garden uses unlimited soups, salads, and breadsticks to reinforce perceived value, Macaroni Grill competes primarily on price, which may explain some of the disparity in customer traffic.
Romano’s continues to offer Pasta Grill franchise opportunitiesThis signals that the brand is still actively seeking growth despite its smaller footprint.
By selling franchises, the company aims to: selectively expand into new marketsallowing operators to bring the Pasta Grill experience to customers while leveraging the chain’s established concept and menu offerings. This approach allows the brand to maintain a nationwide presence without the financial strain of expanding corporate ownership.
“Our brand is built on the principle that hospitality and great food bring people together,” said Jason Kemp, CEO of Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Press release.
“We’ve created a dining experience that feels like home, and now we’re excited to extend that warmth, tradition, and quality into new lifestyle categories through this partnership with Surge Brands. It’s about capturing the full-sensory Italian experience anywhere and everywhere.”
Related: 4 restaurant chains are closing hundreds of locations in 2026
