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Italian chain with 200 restaurants abruptly closes location and removes sign – and customers met with note where to go
Fazoli's was founded in 1988
AN Italian restaurant that was a small-town staple for years has closed its doors for the last time.
The restaurant has over 200 locations across the US, yet the closure comes on the heels of another in the region.
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Diners in Elkhart, about 15 miles east of South Bend, were taken aback when the local Fazoli's restaurant suddenly closed its doors recently, local CBS affiliate WSBT reported.
The restaurant's closure was marked by the removal of signs and a notice on the doors indicating permanent closure.
Diners were advised to visit a location in nearby Mishawaka for their Fazoli's fix.
A location in South Bend closed three years ago.
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Fazoli's, known for its Italian-American fast-casual dining experience, had been a popular choice for locals seeking quick and affordable pasta dishes.
Specific reasons for the closure were not detailed in the initial announcement.
GET TO KNOW FAZOLI'S
Fazoli's holds a storied history within the American restaurant landscape.
Established in 1988, the chain quickly became synonymous with fast casual dining featuring Italian-American cuisine.
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With headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, Fazoli's has grown to become a prominent fixture in the industry, boasting 211 locations across the US as of September 2023.
Fazoli's was conceived as a casual dining concept offering affordable Italian-American meals.
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Founded by Kunihide Toyoda, the first restaurants emerged in the Lexington area, eventually expanding to include five initial locations, per Fast Food Menu Prices.
The chain's early success prompted its acquisition by Duskin Co. Ltd., leading to the formation of Seed Restaurant Group, which assumed ownership and propelled further growth.
During the mid-1990s, Fazoli's experienced exponential expansion, rapidly increasing its presence across Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida.
By 1992, the chain had already grown to 35 restaurants, a number that nearly doubled by the following year.
States with Fazoli's remaining
The following states have at least one Fazoli's location:
- Alabama (3)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (4)
- California (1)
- Colorado (5)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (9)
- Illinois (7)
- Indiana (29)
- Iowa (5)
- Kansas (4)
- Kentucky (33)
- Louisiana (1)
- Michigan (7)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (18)
- Nebraska (5)
- North Carolina (1)
- Ohio (17)
- Oklahoma (1)
- South Carolina (2)
- South Dakota (2)
- Tennessee (14)
- Texas (12)
- Virginia (2)
- West Virginia (2)
- Wisconsin (9)
Financially buoyant, each restaurant was generating substantial revenue, reinforcing the brand's appeal and facilitating continued expansion into new markets.
In October 2006, Sun Capital Partners acquired Fazoli's from Seed Restaurant Group, ushering in a new phase under McDonald's veteran Robert Weissmueller's leadership as CEO, per the South Florida Business Journal.
However, despite initial optimism, the chain faced operational challenges, including declining sales and store closures.
This period saw strategic shifts and leadership changes aimed at stabilizing the brand amidst a shifting competitive landscape.
Subsequent ownership transitions included a sale to Sentinel Capital Partners in July 2015, which sought to revitalize Fazoli's market presence.
Under Sentinel's stewardship, the chain continued to navigate industry dynamics while maintaining its commitment to delivering quality Italian-American fare.
In November 2021, Fazoli's entered a new chapter with its acquisition by FAT Brands Inc. for $130 million, according to Lane Report.
This acquisition marked a strategic move to strengthen the brand's position and expand its footprint across the nation.
As of recent updates, Doug Bostick has assumed the role of President, bringing a wealth of experience in operations and franchise development to drive Fazoli's forward, Fast Casual reported.
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