A once-popular casual Italian restaurant chain is disappearing.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill once operated more than 200 restaurants nationwide at its peak in early 2000s, but the chain is now down to less than 20 locations.
PennLive reported that a location in Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania permanently closed in November 2025, and recent reports indicate closures in Sacramento, Reno and San Antonio as well.
The chain’s website lists 17 restaurants, but many of those have since closed, leaving roughly nine still operating, according to TheStreet.
The website lists locations in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada and Ohio, but some are closed when investigated further.
Founded by Italian-American Phil Romano in Texas in 1988, locations were modeled after rustic Italian trattoria.
They are well known for their warm, old-world atmosphere and classic Italian comfort food like pasta (spaghetti, lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo), chicken parmesan, shrimp scampi, wood-grilled meats and seafood and complimentary herb-infused olive oil with bread.
The chain has struggled financially in recent years, emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018, but never fully recovering.
Dining and Cooking