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Fazoli's

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Fazioli or Faz o L.

Fazoli's System Management, LLC.
Fazoli's
Company typeSubsidiary
Industry
GenreFast Casual
Founded1988; 37 years ago (1988) as Gratzi's in Lexington, Kentucky
HeadquartersLexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Number of locations
195 as of December 2024[1]
Area served
Canada, 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)

Expansion Into Canada

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In April 2024, parent company FAT Brands announced that it would be kicking off its first international expansion, with it to open 25 new locations in Canada within the next 10 years. It was expected that they would open the first locations in Alberta.[13]

The first location in Canada is set to open soon, in the southeast quadrant of Calgary, Alberta in the neighborhood of Mahogany.[14]

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.[15] Some restaurants offer a catering menu for collection or delivery.[16]

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. ^ Toneguzzi, Mario (April 10, 2024). "Italian-Themed QSR Chain Fazoli's Announces Major Expansion into Canada with 25 Locations Planned [Interview]". Retail Insider. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  14. ^ "Fazoli's Canada". Fazoli's Canada. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  15. ^ "Menu". Fazoli's. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  16. ^ "Catering". Fazoli's. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
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