As someone who lives about 20 minutes from Boston’s famous North End Italian Quarter, my standards for Italian restaurants have always been high.
But I also grew up in the ’80s, when Chef Boyardee was a staple on the menu. So when I go to an Italian restaurant, I understand early on that it’s about expectations.
Chain stores may be good, but they don’t live up to the standards set by Boston’s oldest and best Italian restaurants. Suffice it to say, there’s room for a little birfaloni next to the perfect chicken parmesan made from grandma’s old world recipe.
However, Italian chains have been hit or miss, with many struggling. For example, the Bertucci’s chain, which I have eaten at hundreds of times, has only a few branches left after numerous bankruptcies.
Another chain, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, is also in trouble, with fewer than 10 stores still open, Chron.com reported.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill offers set menus and homemade pasta. Guests can take a provided form and check off the pasta, sauces and toppings they want, usually for less than $20.
When the brand was put up for sale in 2015, Ignite CEO Ray Blanchette explained the reasons for the decision.
“We continue to believe in the potential upside of the macaroni grill business. Unfortunately, the brand was unable to achieve the milestones we had established in a timely manner,” he told Restaurant Business.
“As such, we believe it is in the best interest of Ignite and our shareholders to sell the brand. The divestiture of Mac Grill will allow us to focus our resources on building momentum for Joe’s Crab Shack while growing Brick House Tavern & Tap.”
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RMG Acquisition Group, which acquired the chain in 2023, also believes a turnaround is possible.
“We are committed to enriching our restaurant menu while allowing customers to reconnect with the signature Macaroni Grill experience they have loved for 25 years,” said new chief operating officer Dan Lentes, according to a post on the company’s LinkedIn page.
“This includes the return of our fast, convenient and affordable lunch menu, refreshing our world-famous Happy Hour with exciting new beverages and delicious small plates, and launching a new loyalty program in partnership with Spendgo to reward our customers and keep them coming back.”
There are fewer than 10 Macaroni Grill restaurants left.Shutterstock
