Fazoli's
An American fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in affordable Italian-American food and unlimited breadsticks.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Fazoli's is an American fast-casual restaurant chain focused on accessible Italian-American food, including pasta, baked pasta dishes, pizza, sandwiches, salads, meatballs, and breadsticks. The chain is particularly associated with serving unlimited breadsticks, a feature that became central to its value proposition and brand recognition. Its restaurants generally combine counter-service convenience with a menu positioned below the price level of many full-service Italian restaurants. The business began in Lexington, Kentucky, in September 1988 under the temporary name Gratzi's. Jerrico, the company associated with Long John Silver's, had developed the concept as a more casual Italian restaurant after earlier efforts in upscale Italian dining had not succeeded. Consumer research indicated that the original name sounded too much like the surname of hockey player Wayne Gretzky, so the company selected the invented name Fazoli's in early 1989. The first restaurant to use the Fazoli's name opened in Richmond, Kentucky. In 1990, Kunihide Toyoda's Seed Restaurant Group acquired the five-unit chain and accelerated its expansion. Fazoli's grew from a regional operation into a national chain, reaching 62 restaurants by 1993, approximately 300 by 1997, and a reported peak of about 400 locations in 2004. Its early menu emphasized pizza and pasta, but the concept increasingly concentrated on pasta, including cooked-to-order and baked offerings, while competing on speed and price with other quick-service and fast-casual restaurants. Sun Capital Partners acquired Fazoli's in 2006, when the chain had 319 restaurants across 32 states, including a substantial franchised component. The brand subsequently experienced a period of contraction, with sales and restaurant counts declining during the late 2000s. In 2015, Sentinel Capital Partners acquired the business, which at that point included company-operated and franchised locations. The brand continued operating primarily in the United States, although individual markets changed over time; for example, its last Southern Nevada restaurant closed in 2016. FAT Brands acquired 122 company-owned Fazoli's restaurants in November 2022 for $130 million. Under FAT Brands, Fazoli's announced its first international development plan in 2024, targeting 25 Canadian restaurants over a ten-year period. The first Canadian location opened in Calgary, Alberta, in June 2025. FAT Brands later entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in January 2026. Following court approval of an asset sale, FBG Bid Co. acquired FAT Brands' remaining assets, including Fazoli's, for $595 million on June 18, 2026. The supplied reference material reports 147 Fazoli's locations nationwide as of June 2026 and identifies Tim Kimmel as president. Because ownership and location figures are tied to rapidly changing corporate and franchise arrangements, they should be treated as time-specific rather than permanent characteristics of the brand.
History
Fazoli's originated in Lexington, Kentucky, as a project of Jerrico, the company associated with the Long John Silver's restaurant business. Jerrico had previously experimented with a more upscale Italian concept called Florenz, but that effort did not establish a durable chain. The company therefore pursued a more informal and affordable Italian restaurant model. Its first site opened at 1951 North Broadway in Lexington in September 1988 under the name Gratzi's. The original name was soon reconsidered. Research suggested that Gratzi's sounded too similar to the name of hockey player Wayne Gretzky, creating a potential memorability and branding problem. In early 1989, Jerrico adopted the name Fazoli's. The word was invented for the brand rather than chosen for a specific Italian meaning, and its length was compatible with the existing logo design. The second restaurant, located in Richmond, Kentucky, was the first to open using the Fazoli's name. In 1990, Kunihide Toyoda's Seed Restaurant Group acquired the five-unit chain. Under the new ownership, Fazoli's expanded quickly across the United States. The chain had reached 62 restaurants in Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida by 1993 and approximately 300 restaurants nationally by 1997. Its footprint later peaked at roughly 400 locations in 2004. The concept's core menu initially included both pizza and pasta, but management increasingly emphasized pasta prepared for fast service and sold at prices competitive with hamburger-oriented quick-service restaurants. The brand's operating model combined counter service, a relatively broad Italian-American menu, and a distinctive breadstick practice. Unlimited breadsticks became one of its best-known customer benefits and helped differentiate Fazoli's from conventional quick-service competitors. The menu expanded to include baked pastas, sandwiches, salads, parmigiano dishes, meatballs, and pizza. During the early 2000s, changing consumer interest in low-carbohydrate diets also influenced menu development, with lower-fat items featuring additional vegetables and protein introduced alongside the chain's traditional pasta offerings. Sun Capital Partners purchased Fazoli's in October 2006. At the time, the system reportedly included 319 restaurants in 32 states, with 179 operated by franchisees. The chain then experienced a contraction in sales and restaurant count. A troubled Arizona franchisee, for example, announced the closure of all 13 of its restaurants in that state in 2008. These developments reflected the operational and market pressures faced by the chain rather than a complete discontinuation of the brand. Sentinel Capital Partners acquired Fazoli's in July 2015. The transaction covered 124 company-owned and 89 franchised restaurants. Fazoli's continued to adjust its geographic footprint; its only remaining Southern Nevada restaurant closed in 2016. In November 2022, FAT Brands purchased the 122 company-owned restaurants for $130 million, adding Fazoli's to a portfolio of franchised and multi-brand restaurant businesses. The FAT Brands period included a renewed international development effort. In April 2024, the parent company announced plans to develop 25 Fazoli's restaurants in Canada over ten years, initially focusing on Alberta. The first Canadian location opened in Calgary on June 5, 2025. The supplied reference material reports that Fazoli's had 147 locations nationwide as of June 2026 and that Tim Kimmel served as president, with more than three decades of service to the company. Fazoli's ownership changed again in 2026 when FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 26 in an effort to address billions of dollars of debt. Following court approval, FBG Bid Co. acquired the remaining FAT Brands assets for $595 million on June 18, 2026. Fazoli's consequently became part of FBG Bid Co.'s privately held restaurant assets. Its enduring brand proposition remains affordable Italian-American food, fast service, baked and traditional pasta dishes, and unlimited breadsticks.
- 2026
Brand transfers to FBG Bid Co.
[1]FBG Bid Co. acquires FAT Brands' remaining assets after a court-approved sale, including Fazoli's.
- 2025
First Canadian location opens
[1]Fazoli's opens its first Canadian restaurant in Calgary, Alberta.
- 2022
FAT Brands acquires company-owned restaurants
[1]FAT Brands purchases 122 company-owned Fazoli's restaurants for $130 million.
- 2015
Sentinel Capital Partners acquisition
[1]Sentinel Capital Partners acquires Fazoli's, including company-operated and franchised restaurants.
- 2006
Sun Capital Partners acquisition
[1]Sun Capital Partners acquires Fazoli's when the system has 319 restaurants in 32 states.
- 2004
Reported location peak
[1]Fazoli's reaches a reported peak of about 400 restaurants.
- 1997
National system reaches approximately 300 locations
[1]The chain grows to roughly 300 restaurants across the United States.
- 1993
Chain reaches 62 restaurants
[1]Fazoli's expands to 62 restaurants across Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida.
- 1990
Seed Restaurant Group acquires the chain
[1]Kunihide Toyoda's Seed Restaurant Group purchases the five-unit chain and begins a period of rapid expansion.
- 1989
Fazoli's name introduced
[1]The second restaurant opens in Richmond, Kentucky, as the first location to operate under the Fazoli's name.
Products and positioning
Affordable, convenient Italian-American fast-casual dining with generous portions, counter-service speed, and unlimited breadsticks.
Pasta · 1988
Traditional pasta dishes
Pasta is the core of Fazoli's menu. The chain built its identity around quickly served Italian-American pasta meals, offering a lower-cost alternative to full-service Italian dining. Pasta dishes are commonly paired with breadsticks and may be offered with meat, cheese, or tomato-based sauces.
Pasta
Baked pastas
Baked pasta dishes are a major part of the brand's menu and extend the basic pasta proposition with oven-finished preparations, cheese, and substantial portions. They support Fazoli's positioning as an affordable source of filling Italian-American comfort food.
Pizza · 1988
Pizza
Pizza was part of Fazoli's original menu and has remained among the chain's broader Italian-American offerings, although the concept gradually placed greater emphasis on pasta than on pizza.
Sandwiches
Italian-American sandwiches
Sandwiches provide a portable alternative to the chain's pasta and baked dishes. They broaden the menu for customers seeking a quick Italian-American meal and are generally served within the same counter-service format.
Salads
Salads
Salads add a lighter option to a menu otherwise centered on pasta, cheese, and bread. The chain also introduced lower-fat items and dishes with more vegetables and protein during changing dietary trends in the early 2000s.
Side dish
Unlimited breadsticks
Unlimited breadsticks are Fazoli's most recognizable brand-associated offering. Their inclusion with meals and repeated table or counter service reinforces the chain's value positioning and distinguishes it from many other fast-casual restaurant concepts.
Catering
Catering
Some Fazoli's restaurants offer catering for pickup or delivery, extending the chain's pasta, baked dishes, salads, and breadsticks to group meals and events.
Controversies
2020
Manna Inc. fined over child labor violations at restaurant locations
The U.S. Department of Labor found that Manna Inc. allowed 14- and 15-year-old employees to work outside legally approved hours and for more hours than allowed. The company was required to pay a $157,114 civil money penalty; officials found five minors working at the Onalaska Wendy’s location.
Brand decisions
2026
Transfer of ownership to FBG Bid Co.M&ABackground
FAT Brands entered Chapter 11 proceedings while seeking to address substantial debt and sell its assets.
Action taken
Following court approval, FBG Bid Co. acquired FAT Brands' remaining assets, including Fazoli's, on June 18, 2026.
Aftermath
Fazoli's became part of a privately held FBG Bid Co. portfolio.
Asset-sale price. $595 million (June 18, 2026)
2024
Canadian international expansionStrategyBackground
Fazoli's had historically operated primarily in the United States and sought its first international market.
Action taken
FAT Brands announced a plan to develop 25 Fazoli's locations in Canada over ten years, initially focusing on Alberta.
Aftermath
The first Canadian restaurant opened in Calgary in June 2025.
2022
FAT Brands purchases company-owned Fazoli's restaurantsM&ABackground
FAT Brands expanded its restaurant portfolio through the acquisition of Fazoli's company-owned operations.
Action taken
FAT Brands acquired 122 company-owned Fazoli's restaurants for $130 million.
Aftermath
Fazoli's became part of FAT Brands' multi-brand restaurant portfolio.
Acquisition price. $130 million (November 2022)
Recent events
Fazoli’s launches 5 Under $5 Under 500 Calories Menu[4]
Reported:
Fazoli’s launched its 5 Under $5 Under 500 Calories Menu, featuring five dishes available at participating locations through March.
FAT Brands completes acquisition of Fazoli's[5]
Reported:
FAT Brands announced that it completed its acquisition of Fazoli's from funds under management by Sentinel Capital Partners for $130 million. The acquisition marked FAT Brands' entry into the Italian quick-service dining category.
Fazoli's partners with TyTy Washington Jr.[6]
Reported:
Fazoli's announced its first NCAA sponsorship partnership, using University of Kentucky player TyTy Washington Jr.'s name, image and likeness. The partnership also features the TyTy Trio meal at participating Lexington-area locations through December 19.
Tyson Foods named Fazoli’s Supplier of the Year[7]
Reported:
At Fazoli’s 2021 National Brand Conference, Tyson Foods won the Supplier of the Year award, selected from more than 80 suppliers and partners.
Fazoli’s introduces three mac and cheese dishes[8]
Reported:
Fazoli’s introduced three new mac and cheese dishes for a limited time at participating locations.
Fazoli’s offers discounted meals to restaurant workers[9]
Reported:
Fazoli’s began offering restaurant workers regular spaghetti and a small drink for $2.99, available through the drive-thru with proof of restaurant employment.
- Unconfirmed
Manna Inc. fined over child labor violations at restaurant locations[3]
Reported:
The U.S. Department of Labor found that Manna Inc. allowed 14- and 15-year-old employees to work outside legally approved hours and for more hours than allowed. The company was required to pay a $157,114 civil money penalty; officials found five minors working at the Onalaska Wendy’s location.
Sources10 sources
- 1Fazoli'sen.wikipedia.org
- 2Fazoli's official websitefazolis.com
- 3Manna Inc. fined over child labor violations at restaurant locationsweau.com
- 4Fazoli’s推出“5美元以下、500卡路里以下”菜单restaurantnews.com
- 5FAT Brands完成对Fazoli's的收购fastcasual.com
- 6Fazoli's 与 TyTy Washington Jr. 合作fastcasual.com
- 7Tyson Foods获评Fazoli’s年度供应商restaurantmagazine.com
- 8Fazoli’s 推出三款奶酪通心粉菜品restaurantnewsrelease.com
- 9Fazoli’s为餐饮业从业者提供优惠餐食restaurantnews.com
- 10FAT Brands Inc. Completes Acquisition of Fazoli’s Restaurant Chainfinance.yahoo.com
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