Romano’s Macaroni Grill, a casual Italian dining chain that once rivaled Olive Garden, has seen a dramatic decline. Founded in 1988 in San Antonio, Texas, the brand expanded rapidly and at its peak operated more than 200 restaurants nationwide.
Macaroni Grill history
Founded in 1988 in San Antonio, Texas, Romano’s Macaroni Grill quickly gained popularity for its upscale-casual take on Italian dining. The chain stood out with open kitchens, generous portions, fresh bread served at the table, and servers who famously wrote their names upside down on butcher paper table coverings.
At a time when casual dining was booming, Macaroni Grill attracted families and date-night diners alike by offering a more polished alternative to traditional chain restaurants, helping it expand rapidly across the U.S. in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Steep decline in store count
After peaking with roughly 219 locations in 2004, Macaroni Grill’s footprint has steadily contracted. Closures accelerated following multiple ownership changes, economic pressures, and shifting consumer habits. As of early 2026, only about nine restaurants remain open. Several locations listed on the company’s site have already closed, reflecting the brand’s sharp contraction.
Why the brand struggled
Several factors contributed to the decline:
- Ownership turmoil: After being sold by Brinker International in 2008, Macaroni Grill passed through several owners, none of whom fully revived the chain.
- Bankruptcy and restructuring: The company filed for Chapter 11 in 2017, closing unprofitable locations and renegotiating leases. (It emerged from bankruptcy in 2018.)
- Industry pressures: Rising labor and food costs, softened casual dining traffic, and competition from fast‑casual concepts eroded sales.
- Post‑pandemic challenges: The chain never fully recovered after COVID‑19, leading to further closures.
What’s left and future prospects
Today, a handful of Macaroni Grill restaurants remain open, mostly in select cities and airport terminals. The chain’s presence is a shadow of its former national reach…