Fazoli's facts for kids
 |
|
|
Trade name
|
Fazoli's |
|---|---|
| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | |
| Genre | Fast Casual |
| Founded | 1988 as Gratzi's in Lexington, Kentucky |
| Headquarters | Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
|
Number of locations
|
195 as of December 2024[update] |
|
Area served
|
Canada, United States |
|
Key people
|
Gregg Nettleton – President |
| Products | Italian-American cuisine |
| Revenue |  US$125 million (2021) |
| Parent | Jerrico Inc. (1988-1990) Duskin Co / Seed Restaurant Group (1990–2006) Sun Capital Partners (2006–2015) Sentinel Capital Partners (2015–2021) FAT Brands (2021–present) |
Fazoli's is a popular American restaurant chain. It serves delicious Italian-American cuisine in a "fast casual" style. This means you get your food quickly, but it's still fresh and tasty, like a sit-down restaurant. Fazoli's started in 1988 in Lexington, Kentucky. Today, it is owned by a company called FAT Brands. As of December 2024, there are 195 Fazoli's restaurants across the United States.
Contents
The Story of Fazoli's
Fazoli's began in 1988. It was first created as a sister restaurant to Long John Silver's. The first few locations opened in the Lexington, Kentucky, area.
Growing Across the Country
In 1990, a company called Seed Restaurant Group bought the first five Fazoli's restaurants. The chain then grew very quickly. By 1993, there were 62 Fazoli's restaurants. They were located in Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida.
The growth continued through the 1990s. By 1997, there were 300 Fazoli's locations nationwide. The number of restaurants reached its highest point in 2004, with 400 locations.
Changes in Ownership
Over the years, Fazoli's has been owned by different companies. In 2006, Sun Capital Partners bought the business. At that time, there were 319 locations in 32 states. Many of these were franchised restaurants. A franchised restaurant is one owned by an individual or group, but it uses the Fazoli's name and system.
However, by 2008, the number of Fazoli's restaurants started to decrease. Some locations, like 13 in Arizona, had to close. In 2015, Sentinel Capital Partners took over. They acquired 124 company-owned and 89 franchised locations.
In November 2022, FAT Brands Inc. bought the remaining 122 company-owned restaurants. This purchase cost $130 million. As of January 2025, Gregg Nettleton is the President of Fazoli's. He also helps lead FAT Brands' Casual Dining Division.
Fazoli's Goes to Canada
In April 2024, Fazoli's parent company, FAT Brands, announced exciting news. They plan to open 25 new Fazoli's restaurants in Canada over the next 10 years. This is the first time Fazoli's will expand outside of the United States.
The first Canadian location is expected to open soon. It will be in Calgary, Alberta, in a neighborhood called Mahogany.
What's on the Menu?
When Fazoli's first opened, its menu included both pizza and pasta. After 1990, the restaurants started to focus more on pasta dishes. They made sure the pasta was cooked "al dente" (which means firm to the bite). The goal was to offer tasty meals at a lower price than many hamburger restaurants.
In the early 2000s, people became interested in low-carbohydrate diets. Fazoli's adapted by adding new menu items. These items had less fat and more vegetables and protein.
As of 2016, Fazoli's menu has many delicious options. You can find baked pastas, sandwiches, fresh salads, chicken parmigiano, spaghetti and meatballs, and pizza. Some Fazoli's locations also offer catering. This means you can order food for a party or event.
See also
- List of Italian restaurants
- List of fast casual restaurants
