As someone who grew up about 20 minutes from Boston’s famed North End Italian district, 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 visiting an Italian restaurant, I have 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 recipe from the old world.
Italian chains, however, have been hit or miss, and many have struggled. Bertucci’s, for example, a chain I’ve eaten at hundreds of times, only has a few locations left after multiple bankruptcies.
Another chain, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, has also fallen on hard times, with under 10 locations still operating, according to Chron.com.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill offered both a set menu and a make-your-own-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’s CEO Ray Blanchette explained why that decision was made.
“We continue to believe in the underlying strengths of the Macaroni Grill business. Unfortunately, the brand was unable to deliver, in a timely manner, on the milestones we established,” he told Restaurant Business.
“As a result, we decided that it was in the best interest of Ignite and our shareholders to sell the brand. The divestiture of Mac Grill will enable 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’re committed to enriching the restaurant’s offerings while also reconnecting customers with the signature Macaroni Grill experiences they’ve loved for 25 years,” said new COO Dan Lentes, according to a post on the company’s LinkedIn page.
“That 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, as well as the launch of a new loyalty program in partnership with Spendgo to reward our customers and keep them coming back.”
Fewer than 10 Macaroni Grill locations remain.Shutterstock
1988: Founded in Leon Springs (San Antonio), Texas, by Philip J. Romano.
2019: Operating count declines further to about 85 locations nationwide (pre-pandemic).
2021: After pandemic impacts, unit count falls to 41 restaurants, according to FSR Magazine.
2023: Ownership changes (acquired by RMG Acquisition Company); reports indicate about 28 company-owned and 10 franchise locations at the time of sale, FSR Magazine reported.
Late 2025: Most recent reporting shows the chain’s footprint dramatically contracted: Romano’s website lists 17 locations, down sharply from past counts. Local reporting and restaurant data indicate nine restaurants still open nationwide, according to Restaurant Business Online.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill’s decline has been slow and quiet.
Between 2020 and 2025, menu prices at 16 major American restaurant chains, including Chili’s, The Cheesecake Factory, and TGI Fridays, increased by an average of 39%, nearly double the national inflation rate of 22%, according to FinanceBuzz.
That should have benefited the chain, which has reasonable prices compared rivals, but it may be losing because it does not offer one thing that Olive Garden does.
Typical menu price ranges: 2025-2026: Antipasti/appetizers: $9-$16+ (e.g., bruschetta $9-$12, calamari $14-$16) Pasta entrées: $18-$30+ (e.g., Pasta Milano $19.50-$24, Seafood Ravioli $24+, steak $30) Source: Restaurant Menu Price
Typical entrée prices (2025-2026): Pasta & classics: About $17.99-$28 (cheese ravioli, chicken parmigiana, Fettuccine Alfredo) Premium entrées/seafood combos: $28-$31.99 Source: Olive Garden Menu
Notable difference: Olive Garden includes unlimited breadsticks & soup/salad with many entrees, a perceived value that isn’t standard at Macaroni Grill.
Typical price ranges: 2025-2026 Appetizers: $9-$15 (calamari, meatballs, mozzarella marinara) Pasta entrées: $18-$25 (Fettuccine Carrabba, lasagna) Chicken & veal dishes: About $18-$25+ (Chicken Bryan, Pollo Rosa Maria) Seafood & steaks: $23-$36 for premium items (salmon, filet, ribeye).
Carabba’s also offers soup or salad with entrees, but it is not unlimited.
With many consumers locked in on value right now, unlimited soup and breadsticks may have turned more customers to Olive Garden.
“It’s important for restaurants to remember that value is rarely defined only by price,” Circana senior vice president and industry advisor for food and foodservice David Portalatin said in a statement to Nation’s Restaurant News.
“Operational excellence in providing quality, affordability, great experiences, and convenience is what leads winning restaurants and their supply chain partners to greater success.”
Romano’s Macaroni Grill may compete well on price, it may be missing on perceived value.
“In 2025, the meaning of ‘value’ to the dining consumer will extend beyond price to include a mix 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 leverages unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks to reinforce perceived value, Macaroni Grill competes mainly on price, which may explain some of the disparity in customer traffic.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill continues to offer franchise opportunities, signaling that the brand is still actively pursuing growth despite its smaller footprint.
By selling franchises, the company aims to expand selectively into new markets, allowing operators to bring the Macaroni Grill experience to customers while leveraging the chain’s established concept and menu offerings. This approach lets the brand maintain a presence nationwide without the financial strain of corporate-owned expansion.
“Our brand is built on the principle that hospitality and great food bring people together,” said Romano’s Macaroni Grill CEO Jason Kemp 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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