As someone who grew up about 20 minutes from Boston’s famous North End Italian neighborhood, my standards for Italian restaurants have always been high.
But I also grew up in the 80s when Chef Boyardee was a menu staple. So when I visit an Italian restaurant, I’ve long understood that it’s about expectations.
A chain can be good while not reaching the standards set by Boston’s oldest and best Italian restaurants. There’s room, so to speak, for a little Beefaroni next to that perfectly made Chicken Parmesan, created with Grandma’s old-world recipe.
The Italian chains, however, were hit or miss, and many struggled. Bertucci’s, for example, a chain I’ve eaten at hundreds of times, has only a few locations left after several bankruptcies.
Another chain, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, has also fallen on hard times, with less than 10 locations still operating, according to Chron.com.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill offered both a prix fixe menu and a prepared pasta bowl. Guests could take a provided sheet and check off what they wanted for pasta, sauce and toppings, usually for under $20.
When the brand was sold in 2015, Ignite CEO Ray Blanchette explained why this decision was made.
“We continue to believe in the core strengths of the Macaroni Grill business. Unfortunately, the brand has not been able to deliver, in a timely manner, the milestones we have set,” he told Restaurant Business.
“As a result, we have decided it is in the best interest of Ignite and our shareholders to sell the brand. The divestment of Mac Grill will allow us to focus our resources on building momentum at Joe’s Crab Shack while growing Brick House Tavern & 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 while reconnecting customers with the signature Macaroni Grill experiences they have loved for 25 years,” new COO Dan Lentes said in a post on the company’s LinkedIn page.
“This includes things like the return of our fast, convenient and affordable lunch menu, a refresh of our world-famous happy hour with exciting new drinks and delicious small plates, and the launch of a new loyalty program in partnership with Spendgo to reward 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: The chain peaks at 219 locations nationwide, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.
2008: Brinker International is selling its majority stake in late 2008 and closings are beginning, according to a Brinker press release.
Until the end 2014the chain’s footprint dropped to 158 restaurantsadded Nation’s Restaurant News.
2017: Files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid declining sales and rising costs; shutdowns continue, PacerMonitor documents.
2019: The number of operations further decreases to approx 85 locations nationwide (pre-pandemic).
2021: After the impact of the pandemic, the number of units drops to 41 restaurantsaccording to the FSR Magazine.
2023: Ownership changes (acquired by RMG Acquisition Company); reports indicate about 28 company-owned locations and 10 franchise locations at the time of the sale, reported FSR magazine.
End of 2025: The latest reports show that the chain’s footprint has shrunk dramatically: Romano’s website lists 17 locations, down sharply from previous counts. Local reports and restaurant data indicate nine restaurants still open nationwide, according to Restaurant Business 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, rose an average of 39 percent, nearly double the national inflation rate of 22 percent, according to FinanceBuzz.
That should have benefited the chain, which is reasonably priced compared to rivals, but it may lose because it doesn’t offer anything Olive Garden does.
Typical menu price range: 2025-2026: Appetizers/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: Restaurant Menu Price
Typical entry prices (2025-2026): Pasta & Classics: About $17.99-$28 (Cheese Ravioli, Chicken Parmigiana, Fettuccine Alfredo) Premium/Seafood Combos: $28-$31.99 Source: Olive Garden Menu
Notable difference: Olive Garden includes unlimited breadsticks and soup/salad with many entrees, a perceived value that is not standard at Macaroni Grill.
Typical price ranges: 2025-2026 Appetizers: $9-$15 (Scalamari, Meatballs, Mozzarella Marinara) Pasta Entrees: $18-$25 (Fettuccine Carrabba, Lasagna) Chicken and Veal Entrées: About $18-$25+ (Chicken Bryan, Pollo Rosa Maria) Seafood & Steaks: $23-$36 for Premium (Salmon, Prime Filet).
Carabba’s also offers soup or salad with entrees, but it’s not unlimited.
With many consumers stuck in value right now, unlimited soup and grits would have drawn more customers to Olive Garden.
“It’s important for restaurants to remember that value is rarely defined by price alone,” said David Portalatin, Circana senior vice president and industry advisor for food and foodservice, in a statement to Nation’s Restaurant News.
“Operational excellence in delivering quality, affordability, great experiences and convenience is what drives winning restaurants and their supply chain partners to greater success.”
Romano’s Macaroni Grill may compete well on price, may lack perceived value.
“In 2025, the meaning of ‘value’ to the dining consumer will expand beyond price to include a combination of experience, hospitality and affordability,” the National Restaurant Association said in a press release. “Research highlights that welcoming environments and socialization are key motivators for consumers.”
While Olive Garden uses unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks to reinforce perceived value, Macaroni Grill competes primarily on price, which may explain some of the difference in customer traffic.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill continues to deliver franchise opportunitiessignaling that the brand continues to actively pursue growth despite its smaller footprint.
By selling franchises, the company aims to selectively expand into new marketsallowing operators to bring the Macaroni Grill experience to customers while capitalizing on the chain’s established concept and menu offerings. This approach allows the brand to maintain a national presence without the financial pressure of corporate-owned expansion.
“Our brand is built on the principle that hospitality and great food bring people together,” Jason Kemp, CEO of Romano’s Macaroni Grill, said 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 sensational Italian experience – anywhere, everywhere.”
Related: The classic fast-food burger chain is closing a third of its restaurants
This story was originally published by TheStreet on January 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Restaurants section. Add TheStreet as a favorite source by clicking here.
