Has Romano’s Macaroni Grill’s intense struggle come to an end?
It seems like that could be the case.
That’s a huge deal because Romano’s Macaroni Grill is bouncing back, as it’s planning a major comeback this year.
The beloved restaurant chain found its way back from bankruptcy in February 2018 by renegotiating terms and vendor contracts and securing $13.5 million in new capital.
Fast forward to this year, the company is determined to remain steadfast as it plans for a huge makeover.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill CEO Jason Kemp told the U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview that the company plans to expand its Macaroni Grill locations as well as its fast-casual brand, TwistedMac.
This includes two to five new Macaroni Grills and five to 10 TwistedMac locations.
The plan is for the company to focus on franchising and licensing in 2026. This comes after the chain opened its first new location in over 13 years in Utah.
Aside from the chain’s expansion throughout the country, Kemp noted to the publication that the company is set to undergo a total brand transformation that’ll be a total brand transformation featuring new colors, a new logo and new menu items.
Additionally, the 37-year-old fast-casual Italian dining establishment even has plans to sell frozen versions of its most loved offerings at grocery stores, both chain and independent.
The offerings include the restaurant’s pizza, chicken parmesan, lasagnas and sauces.
As previously reported, the beloved chain is returning from a hefty fall from grace. It’s now down to just nine locations across the country.
Those locations can be found in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Utah.
The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with the District Court of Delaware in October 2017. At the time of the filing, 93 restaurants were in operation across 25 states.
The reasoning behind the filing was declining sales, rising operational costs, and an overall downturn in the casual dining sector amid consumers’ preference shift for “cheaper, faster alternatives.”
As a result, the restaurant chain shut 37 of its locations at that time.
Dining and Cooking