Maggiano's Little Italy facts for kids
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A Maggiano's in Washington, D.C.
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Genre | Casual dining |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | 3000 Olympus Blvd Dallas, Texas, U.S. 75019 |
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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 a popular American restaurant chain. It specializes in Italian-American cuisine, which means it serves Italian-style dishes that have been adapted for American tastes. You can find classic meals like pasta, salad, and seafood there.
The first Maggiano's restaurant opened in Chicago in 1991. It was started by Rich Melman and his company, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. Later, in 1995, a larger company called Brinker International bought Maggiano's. This helped the restaurant chain grow across the country. As of March 2021, there were 54 Maggiano's locations in 22 different states and Washington, D.C.
How Maggiano's Started
The idea for Maggiano's Little Italy came from Rich Melman. He wanted to create a restaurant that felt like a classic, old-fashioned dinner house from before World War II. The goal was to serve large, family-sized portions of delicious food.
Melman named the restaurant after his business partner, Marvin Magid. Sadly, Marvin passed away in 1987. The first Maggiano's opened its doors on November 11, 1991, in the River North neighborhood of Chicago.
Growing Across the Country
After the first restaurant in Chicago, Maggiano's opened two more locations in Illinois. One was in Oak Brook and another in Skokie.
In 1994, Maggiano's opened its first restaurant outside of Illinois. This was a big step for the company. Then, in 1995, Brinker International bought the chain. This purchase helped Maggiano's expand even more and become a national restaurant brand.
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