37-year-old Italian restaurant chain quietly closes most locations

Longstanding restaurant chains are quietly disappearing, bringing an end to traditions that have shaped family routines for decades. The sad reality is that, like many beloved institutions, even the most iconic brands eventually face an expiration date. For one well-known Italian-American chain, that moment may be approaching.

Founded in 1988 in Leon Springs, Texas, this restaurant chain grew from a family-owned establishment into a nationally recognized brand, thanks to its Italian-inspired dishes and extensive wine selection.

However, mounting operational challenges and financial strain, including a bankruptcy filing, have led the company to quietly shutter locations over the past few years, leaving it with fewer than a handful of restaurants still in operation.

Now, another closure is eliminating the chain's presence in an entire state.

Romano's Macaroni Grill, located at 2531 Brindle Drive in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has permanently closed after 20 years in business. A sign posted on the door, shared by ABC27 News, confirmed the shutdown, marking the end of the chain's run in Pennsylvania.

This most recent closure isn't the only one; it's just the latest. Despite the restaurant locator on Romano's Macaroni Grill's website listing 17 remaining locations, many of those appear to have closed as well. After reviewing local news reports, Yelp listings, and Google Maps, only nine restaurants remain open nationwide.

Romano's Macaroni Grill restaurants still open:

• El Cerrito, California: 8000 El Cerrito Plaza

• Milpitas, California: 110 Ranch Dr.

• Temecula, California: 41221 Margarita Rd.

• Church Ranch, Colorado: 10411 Town Center Dr.

• Orlando International Airport, Florida: 9301 Jeff Fuqua Blvd

• Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Illinois: 10000 W O'Hare Ave

• Montrose, Ohio: 41 Springside Dr.

• McAllen, Texas: 3500 West Expressway 83

• South Jordan, Utah: 10622 S. Riverfront Parkway

Romano's Macaroni Grill's Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Romano's Macaroni Grill filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with the District Court of Delaware in October 2017, reporting $23 million in secured debt and negative earnings of $12 million on $230 million in revenue. At the time of the filing, the company operated 93 restaurants across 25 states.

The chain cited declining sales, rising operational costs, and an overall downturn in the casual dining sector as consumers' preferences have shifted toward "cheaper, faster alternatives." The restructuring aimed to reduce "legacy liabilities and obligations, as a result of decisions by past ownership," according to a company statement.

More Restaurant Closures:

• Iconic frozen yogurt chain makes comeback after closing 2,650 stores

• Popular coffee chain closing its headquarters after bankruptcy

• 61-year-old fast-food chain quietly closes dozens of restaurants nationwide 

In February 2018, Romano's Macaroni Grill emerged from bankruptcy after renegotiating terms, vendor contracts, and securing $13.5 million in new capital.

Then-owner RedRock Partners LLC, which had acquired the chain from Ignite Restaurant Group in 2015 for $8 million, eventually sold the brand in 2023 to RMG Acquisition Company. At the time of the sale, Romano's Macaroni Grill operated 28 company-owned and 10 franchise locations in 14 states, according to a LinkedIn announcement.

Broader restaurant industry struggles

While Romano's Macaroni Grill's struggles aren't new for the chain, the broader restaurant industry has been facing these challenges as well, which appear only to be intensifying.

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.

"If debt is a piece of the profit puzzle, food costs are another. In fact, they appear to be an even bigger, more widespread concern," said QSR and FSR Magazines Editorial Director Danny Klein.

As prices climbed, customer traffic dropped 1% across the food service industry during the quarter ending June 2025, according to Circana.

"This poses a significant challenge for restaurants, as home-cooked meals directly substitute demand for dining establishments, translating to reduced revenues and declines in customer traffic as demand shifts to grocery stores," said Coresight Research analyst Sujeet Naik.

Coresight Research projects that U.S. store closures will reach 15,000 in 2025, more than double the 7,325 closures recorded in 2024.

"Consumers are saying, 'We're struggling, or we're beginning to struggle or we're thinking more carefully about what we spend,'" said Harvard Business School Consultant and Lecturer on Restaurants Michael S. Kaufman. "I don't know that the ability to maintain the large fleets of traditional casual dining restaurants can continue."

Restaurant chains that have closed locations nationwide

• Red Lobster: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024 and shuttered hundreds of locations (Source: The Street)

• Applebee's: Expected to close 20 to 35 restaurants in 2024 (Source: Restaurant Dive)

• TGI Fridays: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024 and has closed hundreds of U.S. locations since (Source: Restaurant Business News)

• Outback Steakhouse: Has shuttered 21 restaurants as of November 2025 (Source: CNN)

Related: 49-year-old pub chain closed over 250 restaurants, only 21 left

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Nov 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the Restaurant section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.