Romano's Macaroni Grill
American casual-dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine.
Last updated August 22, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Romano's Macaroni Grill is an American casual-dining restaurant chain centered on Italian-American food, including pasta, grilled meats, Mediterranean-influenced dishes, desserts, and customizable pasta combinations. The first restaurant opened in Leon Springs, Texas, now part of San Antonio, on April 19, 1988. It was founded by restaurateur Philip J. Romano, who had previously founded the Fuddruckers hamburger chain and sold his interest in that business before launching Macaroni Grill. The concept expanded through a series of ownership and management changes. Brinker International acquired the chain's franchise rights in November 1989 and subsequently developed the brand into a sizable casual-dining operation. The chain reached a reported peak of 158 locations in 2014. Brinker began exploring a sale of its company-owned restaurants in 2007, and in December 2008 it sold a majority interest to Mac Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, while retaining a minority interest for a period. In February 2013, Ignite Restaurant Group acquired Romano's Macaroni Grill from Golden Gate Capital for a reported $55 million in cash. Redrock Partners later purchased the concept from Ignite in April 2015 for a reported $8 million. The brand subsequently entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2017. Despite these ownership transitions and financial difficulties, it continued operating restaurants and later acquired Sullivan's Steakhouse in September 2018 for a reported $32 million. The brand's restaurant menu traditionally combines familiar Italian-American dishes with a casual, family-oriented service format. Customers can assemble pasta dishes by selecting pasta, sauce, and toppings, while meals have historically been accompanied by complimentary bread and olive oil. The company has also marketed packaged food products modeled on restaurant offerings through General Mills' Restaurant Favorites line. Macaroni Grill has faced scrutiny over the nutritional profile of casual-dining meals. Men's Health criticized the chain in 2007 for high average meal calorie counts, but in 2010 the publication rated it the healthiest Italian chain in its comparison after the menu had been revised to reduce calories in a number of entrées. The brand has also experienced substantial corporate instability, including bankruptcy proceedings and reported disputes involving unpaid obligations under later ownership. In July 2023, Jason Kemp became president and chief executive officer. The chain had 17 locations reported as of 2025, substantially fewer than its earlier peak.
History
Romano's Macaroni Grill began on April 19, 1988, when restaurateur Philip J. Romano opened the first location in Leon Springs, Texas, a community now within San Antonio. Romano had previously founded Fuddruckers in 1979 and had sold his interest in that hamburger business before creating the Italian-American restaurant concept. The original restaurant established the brand's basic identity: approachable Italian-American food served in a casual setting rather than a formal Italian restaurant. The business entered a major expansion phase after Brinker International acquired the chain's franchise rights on November 22, 1989. Under Brinker, Macaroni Grill became part of the large American casual-dining sector and expanded its restaurant base through company-operated and franchised locations. The chain eventually reached a reported peak of 158 locations in 2014, making it substantially larger than its current footprint. Brinker announced in August 2007 that it would explore a buyer for its company-owned restaurants. In December 2008, the company announced the sale of a majority interest to Mac Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital. Brinker retained a 15.6 percent minority interest as of June 29, 2011. The change placed the chain under a new ownership structure while preserving its identity as a standalone restaurant concept. Ignite Restaurant Group announced in February 2013 that it would acquire Romano's Macaroni Grill from Golden Gate Capital in an all-cash transaction reported at $55 million. That ownership period ended when Redrock Partners LLC purchased the concept from Ignite in April 2015 for a reported $8 million. These successive transactions reflected the difficult economics facing many large casual-dining chains, including competition, changing consumer preferences, and the cost of maintaining extensive restaurant networks. Romano's Macaroni Grill filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 18, 2017. The filing became another major turning point in the brand's corporate history. After the bankruptcy period, the company announced the acquisition of Sullivan's Steakhouse on September 21, 2018, in a transaction reported at $32 million. The acquisition broadened the company's restaurant portfolio beyond its Italian-American flagship concept. The menu has historically emphasized pasta, grilled meats, desserts, and other Italian-American or Mediterranean-influenced dishes. A notable service and menu feature is the ability to construct a pasta meal from selected pasta, sauce, and toppings. Complimentary bread and olive oil have also been associated with the restaurant experience. The brand extended its identity into retail through packaged foods based on restaurant dishes, manufactured for General Mills' Restaurant Favorites line. Nutrition became part of the brand's public discussion in the late 2000s. Men's Health gave the chain a negative assessment in 2007, citing the high calorie content of an average meal. By 2010, however, the magazine rated Macaroni Grill as the healthiest Italian chain in its comparison, noting that several entrées had been reduced in calories. The change was attributed to a broader nutritional-improvement program under new leadership. In July 2023, Jason Kemp became president and chief executive officer. The brand's later period has been marked by a much smaller restaurant base and continuing financial and legal pressures. The chain was reported to have 17 locations as of 2025, compared with its 158-location peak in 2014. Its current operating status is best described as active, although ownership, governance, and financial conditions have changed repeatedly over its history.
- 2023
Jason Kemp becomes chief executive
[1]Jason Kemp becomes president and chief executive officer in July.
- 2018
Sullivan's Steakhouse acquisition
[1]Romano's Macaroni Grill acquires Sullivan's Steakhouse on September 21.
- 2017
Chapter 11 filing
[1]Romano's Macaroni Grill files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 18.
- 2015
Redrock Partners acquisition
[1]Redrock Partners purchases the concept from Ignite Restaurant Group.
- 2013
Ignite Restaurant Group acquisition
[1]Ignite Restaurant Group acquires the chain from Golden Gate Capital in an all-cash transaction.
- 2008
Majority stake sold to Golden Gate Capital affiliate
[1]Mac Acquisition LLC, affiliated with Golden Gate Capital, acquires a majority stake in the concept.
- 2007
Brinker begins exploring a sale
[1]Brinker announces plans to explore a buyer for its company-owned Romano's Macaroni Grill restaurants.
- 1989
Brinker International acquires franchise rights
[1]Brinker International purchases the chain's franchise rights on November 22.
- 1988
First restaurant opens in Leon Springs, Texas
[1]Philip J. Romano opens the first Romano's Macaroni Grill restaurant on April 19 in Leon Springs, Texas.
Products and positioning
Casual dining focused on accessible Italian-American cuisine, customizable pasta, and a family-oriented restaurant experience.
Restaurant entrées
Custom pasta dishes
A signature menu format allows diners to choose among pasta types, sauces, and toppings to assemble a personalized Italian-American pasta meal. This customizable structure supports the chain's casual, accessible positioning and gives customers an alternative to fixed entrée combinations.
Restaurant entrées
Italian-American pasta entrées
The menu centers on pasta dishes influenced by Italian cuisine but adapted to American casual dining. Offerings have included familiar sauce, protein, and baked-pasta formats intended for broad consumer appeal rather than strict regional Italian specialization.
Restaurant entrées
Grilled meats
Grilled meat dishes complement the pasta range and provide a non-pasta option within the chain's Italian-American menu. They form part of the broader casual-dining assortment alongside sides, salads, and other Mediterranean-influenced items.
Retail packaged food
Packaged restaurant-style foods
The brand has also been represented in packaged food products based on restaurant dishes. These products were manufactured through General Mills' Restaurant Favorites line, extending the Macaroni Grill name beyond its restaurants.
Controversies
2021
Reported litigation involving later ownership and related entities
Reference material describes lawsuits involving entities associated with Jason Kemp and related restaurant businesses, including allegations concerning misuse of funds and unpaid obligations. These allegations should not be treated as adjudicated findings without additional court or regulatory sources.
2017
Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing
Romano's Macaroni Grill filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2017, adding a significant financial restructuring event to the chain's ownership history.
Brand decisions
2018
Acquisition of Sullivan's SteakhouseM&ABackground
Following its bankruptcy filing, Romano's Macaroni Grill pursued portfolio expansion beyond its core Italian-American casual-dining concept.
Action taken
The company purchased Sullivan's Steakhouse.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened the company's restaurant holdings.
Transaction value. $32 million (September 2018 transaction)
2017
Chapter 11 restructuringOtherBackground
The chain faced financial pressure after multiple ownership changes and a difficult operating environment for large casual-dining businesses.
Action taken
Romano's Macaroni Grill filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Aftermath
The brand continued operating and later expanded its portfolio through the acquisition of Sullivan's Steakhouse in 2018.
2013
Sale to Ignite Restaurant GroupM&ABackground
Golden Gate Capital sought a new owner for the restaurant concept after holding a majority interest.
Action taken
Ignite Restaurant Group acquired Romano's Macaroni Grill in an all-cash transaction.
Aftermath
Ignite later sold the concept to Redrock Partners in 2015.
Transaction value. $55.0 million (2013 transaction)
2007
Explore sale of company-owned restaurantsStrategyBackground
Brinker International controlled the chain's franchise rights and operated company-owned locations but announced that it would explore a sale of those restaurants.
Action taken
The company began investigating potential buyers for the company-owned restaurant portfolio.
Aftermath
A majority interest was subsequently sold to Mac Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, in 2008.
Recent events
Wholesome Food Services announces 18 restaurant partnerships[2]
Reported:
Wholesome Food Services announced that 18 new restaurants had recently partnered with its school lunch delivery program. Jason's Deli, Raising Cane's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Costa Vida, and Mellow Mushroom were among the named brands in its partner portfolio.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/romanos-macaroni-grill · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled