Maggiano's Little Italy facts for kids
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A Maggiano's in Washington, D.C..
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| Wholly owned subsidiary | |
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Genre | Casual dining |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | 6820 LBJ Freeway Dallas, Texas, U.S. 75240 |
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Number of locations
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52 (2015) |
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Key people
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Steve D. Provost, President |
| Products | Italian-American cuisine (pasta • salad • seafood) |
| Parent | Brinker International |
Maggiano's Little Italy is an American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine. The company was founded in Chicago's River North neighborhood, at Clark Street and Grand Avenue, in 1991 by Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE), and was named after Melman's late partner, Marvin Magid. The concept was acquired by Brinker International, Inc. in August 1995 from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. As of March 22, 2021, there were 54 locations throughout 22 states and the District of Columbia.
Maggiano's menu features both classic and contemporary recipes; pastas, salads, steaks, seafood, regular chef specials, and specialty desserts. Maggiano's offers lunch or dinner, carryout service, delivery, and banquet spaces for special occasions. Meals can be purchased in single-sized portions or as full multi-course family style meals.
In February 2017, they introduced a 7-day-a-week brunch menu. One reason was that previously robust lunch sales were dropping and brunch would make it a more family friendly atmosphere.
History
Richard Melman expanded LEYE's Italian division in 1991 with the opening of Maggiano's Little Italy in Chicago. According to the company's history, the concept aimed at "re-creating the classic pre-World War II dinner house featuring family size portions".
The first restaurant was at the corners of Clark Street and Grand Avenue in Chicago and opened November 11, 1991. A second restaurant was opened in Oak Brook, Illinois followed by one in Skokie, Illinois. In 1994, they opened their first restaurant outside of Illinois. In 1995, Brinker International purchased the restaurant with the goal of taking it national.
