Longstanding restaurant chains are quietly disappearing, ending traditions that have shaped family routines for decades. The sad reality is that, like many beloved institutions, even the most iconic brands eventually face an expiration date. For one famous Italian-American chain, that moment may be near.
Founded in Leon Springs, Texas in 1988, this restaurant chain grew from a family-owned establishment to a nationally recognized brand, thanks to its Italian-inspired cuisine and extensive wine selection.
However, mounting operational challenges and financial stress, including a bankruptcy filing, have led the company to quietly close locations over the past few years, leaving a handful of restaurants still in operation.
Now, another shutdown is eliminating the chain’s presence in the entire state.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill at 2531 Brindle Drive in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has closed permanently after 20 years in business. A sign posted on the door, shared by ABC27 News, confirmed the shutdown, marking the end of the chain’s run in Pennsylvania.
It’s not just the most recent closure; This is just the latest. Despite the restaurant locator on Romano’s Macaroni Grill’s website listing 17 remaining locations, many of them have closed. After reviewing local news reports, Yelp listings, and Google Maps, only nine restaurants remain open nationwide.
El Cerrito, California: 8000 El Cerrito Plaza
Milpitas, California: 110 Ranch Dr.
Temecula, California: 41221 Margarita Rd.
Church Ranch, Colorado: 10411 Town Center Dr.
Orlando International Airport, Florida: 9301 Jeff Fuqua Blvd
Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Illinois: 10000 W O’Hare Ave
Montrose, Ohio: 41 Springside Dr.
McAllen, Texas: 3500 West Expressway 83
South Jordan, Utah: 10622 S. Riverfront Parkway
Romano’s Macaroni Grill is closing its last restaurant location in Pennsylvania.Shutterstock” loading=”eager” height=”540″ width=”960″ class=”yf-1gfnohs loader”/>
Romano’s Macaroni Grill is closing its last restaurant location in Pennsylvania.Shutterstock
Romano’s Macaroni Grill filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the District Court of Delaware in October 2017, reporting negative earnings of $23 million in secured debt and $12 million in revenue. At the time of the filing, the company operated 93 restaurants in 25 states.
The chain cited declining sales, rising operating costs, and an overall slowdown in the casual dining sector as consumers’ preferences shifted toward “cheaper, faster options.” The purpose of the restructuring was to “reduce legacy liabilities and obligations as a result of past ownership decisions,” according to a company statement.
More restaurant closings:
In February 2018, Romano’s Macaroni Grill emerged from bankruptcy after securing terms, vendor contracts, and $13.5 million in new capital.
Then-owner RedRock Partners LLC, which acquired the chain from Ignite Restaurant Group in 2015 for $80 million, eventually sold the brand to RMG Acquisitions Co. in 2023. At the time of the sale, Romano’s Macaroni Grill operated 28 company-owned and 10 franchise locations in 14 states, according to a LinkedIn announcement.
While Romano’s Macaroni Grill’s struggles aren’t new for the chain, the broader restaurant industry is also facing these challenges, which only seem to intensify.
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%.
“If debt is one piece of the profitability puzzle, food costs are another. In fact, they appear to be a bigger, more pervasive concern,” said Danny Klein, editorial director of QSR and FSR magazine.
As prices rose, customer traffic in the food service industry fell 1% in the quarter ending in June 2025, according to Circana.
“This poses a significant challenge for restaurants, as home-cooked meals directly replace demand from dining establishments, translating into lower revenue and reduced customer traffic as demand shifts to grocery stores,” said Coresite Research analyst Sujit Naik.
Coresite Research projects that 15,000 U.S. stores will close in 2025, more than double the 7,325 closures recorded in 2024.
“Consumers are saying, ‘We’re struggling, or we’re starting to struggle or we’re thinking more carefully about what we spend,'” said Michael S. Kaufman, a consultant and restaurant lecturer at Harvard Business School. “I don’t know if traditional casual dining restaurants can continue to have the ability to maintain large fleets.”
Related: 49-year-old pub chain closes more than 250 restaurants, leaving only 21
This story was originally published by TheStreet on November 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the Restaurants section. Add TheStreet as a preferred source by clicking here.
