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Fazoli's

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Fazioli.

Fazoli's System Management, LLC.
Fazoli's
Company typeSubsidiary
Industry
GenreFast Casual
Founded1988; 36 years ago (1988) as Gratzi's in Lexington, Kentucky
HeadquartersLexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Number of locations
195 as of December 2024[1]
Area served
United States
Key people
Doug Bostick – President[2]
ProductsItalian-American cuisine
RevenueIncrease US$125 million (2021)
ParentJerrico Inc. (1988-1990)
Duskin Co / Seed Restaurant Group (1990–2006)
Sun Capital Partners (2006–2015)
Sentinel Capital Partners (2015–2021)
FAT Brands (2021–present)
Websitefazolis.com

Fazoli's System Management, LLC., or Fazoli's, is an American fast casual restaurant chain[3][4] headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. It was founded in 1988 and is now owned by FAT Brands. As of December 2024, there are 195 Fazoli's locations nationwide[1] specializing in Italian-American cuisine.[4]

Fazoli's in Valdosta, Georgia (2013)

History

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Fazoli's was established as a sister brand of Long John Silver's in 1988, initially in the Lexington, Kentucky, area. In 1990, Kunihide Toyoda's Seed Restaurant Group purchased the five locations there.[5]

The chain expanded rapidly. By 1993, it had 62 restaurants within Kentucky, Indiana and Florida. By 1997, there were 300 Fazoli's across the country,[5] and a peak of 400 in 2004.[6]

In October 2006, Sun Capital Partners purchased the business. Of 319 locations, in 32 states, 179 were franchised.[7] However, by 2008, Fazoli's sales and location count were falling.[6] A struggling franchisee in Arizona announced it was closing all 13 of its restaurants in the state.[8]

In July 2015, Sentinel Capital Partners acquired Fazoli's 124 company-owned and 89 franchised locations[9] but the sole remaining location in Southern Nevada closed in 2016.[10][11] The remaining 122 owned and operated restaurants were acquired in November 2022 by FAT Brands Inc., for $130 million.[12]

Fazoli's in Traverse City, Michigan (this location closed in 2018)

Products

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Baked ziti and breadsticks

Fazoli's original menu options were pizza and pasta. From 1990, the emphasis shifted away from pizza towards pasta cooked al dente, and meals at a lower price point than competing hamburger restaurants. In the early 2000s, low-carbohydrate diets became popular and Fazoli's added low fat items with more vegetables and protein.[5]

As of 2016, Fazoli's menu includes baked pastas, sandwiches, salads, parmigiano, meatballs and pizza.[13] Some restaurants offer a catering menu for collection or delivery.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Location Directory". Fazoli's. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Cansler, Cherryh (March 16, 2022). "Fazoli's names president as Carl Howard retires". FastCasual. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  3. ^ Brandau, Mark (November 26, 2013). "Fazoli's CEO talks turnaround". Nation's Restaurant News. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Oches, Sam (May 18, 2013). "From the Floor: Fazoli's to Launch New Concept". QSR Magazine. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c "Fazoli's Systems, Inc. History". Funding University. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Kaiser, Tom (July 21, 2016). "After cuts, Fazoli's aims for higher ground". Franchise Times.
  7. ^ "Sun Capital unit buys Fazoli's". South Florida Business Journal. October 20, 2006.
  8. ^ Ferguson, J. (July 15, 2008). "Flag Fazoli's one of 13 in state to close". Arizona Daily Sun. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  9. ^ "Fazoli's acquired by Sentinel Capital Partners as part of its food lineup". Lexington Herald-Leader. July 7, 2015.
  10. ^ Robison, Jennifer (February 17, 2016). "Fazoli's closes only Las Vegas restaurant". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  11. ^ Ventura, Leslie (February 25, 2016). "A (not-so-serious) lament for Las Vegas' last Fazioli's". Las Vegas Weekly. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  12. ^ "Fazoli's fast Italian chain being acquired for $130 million". The Lane Report. November 2, 2021. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  13. ^ "Menu". Fazoli's. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  14. ^ "Catering". Fazoli's. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
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