As someone who grew 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 Boyardi was a menu staple. So when visiting an Italian restaurant, I’ve long understood that it’s about expectations.
While the chain may be good, it doesn’t quite reach the standards set by Boston’s oldest and best Italian restaurants. There’s room for a little befferoni next to the perfectly made chicken parmesan created with grandma’s recipe from the old world.
The Italian chain, however, has been hit or miss, and many have struggled. For example, Bertucci’s is a chain I’ve eaten at hundreds of times, with only a few locations left after several bankruptcies.
Another chain, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, has also fallen on hard times, with fewer than 10 locations still in operation, according to Chron.com.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill offers both a set menu and a build-your-own pasta bowl. Guests can pick up a provided sheet and check off what they want for pasta, sauces and toppings, usually for less than $20.
When the brand was sold in 2015, Ignite CEO Ray Blanchette explained why the decision was made.
“We continue to believe in the underlying strengths of the Macaroni Grill business. Unfortunately, the brand has not delivered on time on the milestones we have established,” he told Restaurant Business.
“As a result, we decided it was in the best interest of Ignite and our shareholders to sell this brand. The divestiture of Mac’s Grill will enable us to focus our resources on building momentum at Joe’s Crab Shack while developing Brick House Tavern and Tap.”
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RMG Acquisition Group, which bought the chain in 2023, also believed a turnaround was possible.
“We are committed to enriching the restaurant’s offerings and reconnecting customers with the signature Macaroni Grill experiences they have loved for 25 years,” new COO Dan Lentes said, according to a post on the company’s LinkedIn page.
“This includes things like our fast, convenient and affordable lunch menu, the refresh of our world-famous happy hour with exciting new drinks and delicious small plates, as well as the launch of a new loyalty program in partnership with Spendgo to reward our customers and keep them coming back.”
Less than 10 Macaroni Grill locations left.Shutterstock” loading=”lazy” height=”540″ width=”960″ class=”yf-lglytj loader”/>
Less than 10 Macaroni Grill locations left.Shutterstock
1988: Founded in Leon Springs (San Antonio), Texas by Philip J. Romano.
2004: at the chain peak 219 locations Nationwide, according to Nation Restaurant News.
2008: Brinker International sells its majority interest in late 2008, and closures begin, according to a Brinker press release.
until the end of 2014Fell in the footsteps of the chain 158 restaurantsAdded Nation’s Restaurant News.
2017: files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Between declining sales and rising costs; The closures are ongoing, according to PacerMonitor filings.
2019: Operating count decreased to approx 85 locations Nationwide (pre-pandemic).
2021: After an epidemic effect, the unit count decreases 41 restaurantsAccording to FSR magazine.
2023: Change of ownership (acquisition by RMG acquisition company); The report indicates 28 company-owned and 10 franchise locations At the time of the sale, FSR magazine reported.
End of 2025: The most recent reporting shows that the chain’s footprint has shrunk dramatically: Romano’s website lists 17 locations, down sharply from past counts. Local reporting and restaurant data show that nine restaurants are still open nationwide, according to Restaurant Trade Online.
The decline of Romano’s Macaroni Grill has been slow and quiet.
Between 2020 and 2025, menu prices at 16 major U.S. restaurant chains, including Chili’s, The Cheesecake Factory, and TGI Fridays, will increase an average of 39%, according to FinanceBuzz, nearly double the national inflation rate of 22%.
This should have given the chain an advantage over its competitors, with reasonable prices, but it may have lost because it doesn’t offer one thing that Olive Garden does.
General Menu Price Range: 2025-2026: Antipasti/Appetizers: $9-$16+ (eg, bruschetta $9-$12, calamari $14-$16) Pasta Entrees: $18-$30+ (eg, Pasta Milano $19.50-$24, Seafood Ravioli $24+, Steak $30) Source: Menu Price
General Admission Price (2025-2026): Pasta & Classics: About $17.99-$28 (Cheese Ravioli, Chicken Parmigiana, Fettuccine Alfredo) Premium Entree/Seafood Combos: $28-$31.99 Source: Olive Garden Menu
Notable differences: Includes the Olive Garden Unlimited breadsticks and soup/salad With several entrees, a perceived value that is not standard at Macaroni Grill.
Carrabba’s also offers soup or salad with entrees, but it’s not unlimited.
With many consumers now locked in on price, unlimited soup and breadsticks may have drawn many customers back to Olive Garden.
“It’s important for restaurateurs to remember that value is rarely defined by price alone,” David Portalin, Circana senior vice president and industry consultant for food and foodservice, said in a statement to Nation’s Restaurant News.
“Operational excellence in delivering quality, affordability, great experiences and convenience drives winning restaurants and their supply chain partners to greater success.”
While Romano’s Macaroni Grill may compete well on price, it may be missing out on perceived value.
“In 2025, the meaning of ‘value’ for the dining consumer will expand beyond price to include a mix of experience, hospitality and affordability,” the National Restaurant Association said in a press release. “Research highlights that a welcoming environment and socialization are key motivators for consumers.”
While Olive Garden leverages 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 Macaroni Grill continues to offer Franchise opportunitiesindicating that the brand is still actively pursuing growth despite its small footprint.
By selling franchises, the company aims to: Expand selectively into new marketsAllowing operators to bring the Macaroni 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 stress of corporate-owned expansion.
“Our brand is built on the principles of hospitality and great food bringing people together,” said Jason Kemp, CEO of Romano’s Macaroni Grill, in a 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 that full-sensory Italian experience – anywhere and everywhere.”
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This story was originally published by TheStreet on January 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Restaurants section. Add TheStreet as a preferred source by clicking here.
