Italian chain with 200 restaurants abruptly closes location and removes sign – and customers are told where to go

AN ITALIAN restaurant is closing its doors in Indiana.

The restaurant has more than 200 locations across the US.

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Diners in Elkhart, approximately 140 miles north of Indianapolis, were surprised when local Fazoli’s restaurant suddenly closed its doors recently, as reported by WSBT.

Located on North Nappanee Street, the restaurant’s closure was marked by the removal of signs and notices on the doors indicating permanent closure.

Customers were advised to visit the Mishawaka location, about 10 miles from Elkhart, for Fazoli.

Fazoli’s, known for its fast-casual Italian-American dining experience, was a popular choice among locals looking for quick and affordable pasta dishes.

Specific reasons for the closure were not detailed in the initial announcement.

MEET FAZOLI

Fazoli’s holds a storied history on the American restaurant scene.

Founded in 1988, the chain quickly became synonymous with fast casual dining with Italian-American cuisine.

Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, Fazoli’s has grown to become a fixture in the industry, currently boasting 211 locations across the U.S. as of September 2023.

Fazoli’s was designed as a casual dining concept offering Italian-American meals at affordable prices.

Founded by Kunihide Toyoda, the first restaurants appeared in the Lexington area, eventually expanding to include five initial locations, by Fast food menu prices.

The chain’s initial success led to its acquisition by Duskin Co. Ltd., leading to the formation of the Seed Restaurant Group, which took ownership and drove further growth.

During the mid-1990s, Fazoli’s exponential expansion, rapidly increasing its presence in Kentucky, Indiana and Florida.

By 1992, the chain had already grown to 35 restaurants, a number that almost doubled the following year.

Financially dynamic, each restaurant generated 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 the leadership of McDonald’s veteran Robert Weissmueller as CEO, according to the South Florida Business Journal.

However, despite initial optimism, the chain faced operational challenges, including falling sales and store closures.

This period saw strategic shifts and leadership changes designed to stabilize the brand amid a changing competitive landscape.

Subsequent ownership transitions included a sale to Sentinel Capital Partners in July 2015, which sought to revitalize Fazoli’s presence in the market.

Under Sentinel’s leadership, the chain has continued to navigate industry dynamics while maintaining its commitment to offering quality Italian-American dishes.

In November 2021, Fazoli’s entered a new chapter with its acquisition by FAT Brands Inc. for $130 million, according to Track report.

This acquisition marked a strategic move to strengthen the brand’s position and expand its presence across the country.

As of recent updates, Doug Bostick has assumed the role of President, bringing extensive experience in operations and franchise development to drive Fazoli’s advancement, Fast Casual reported.

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