Fazoli's
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Fazoli's System Management, LLC., or Fazoli's, is an American fast casual restaurant chain<ref name="Nation's"/><ref name="QSR"/> headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. It was founded in 1988 and is now owned by FAT Brands. As of August 2025, there are 192 Fazoli's locations nationwide<ref name="locations"/> specializing in Italian-American cuisine.<ref name="QSR"/>
History
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.<ref name="fundinguniverse.com">Template:Cite web</ref>
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,<ref name="fundinguniverse.com" /> and a peak of 400 in 2004.<ref name="ft-2016jul21" />
In October 2006, Sun Capital Partners purchased the business. Of 319 locations, in 32 states, 179 were franchised.<ref name="sfbj-2006oct20">Template:Cite news</ref> However, by 2008, Fazoli's sales and location count were falling.<ref name="ft-2016jul21">Template:Cite news</ref> A struggling franchisee in Arizona announced it was closing all 13 of its restaurants in the state.<ref name="ads-2008jul15">Template:Cite news</ref>
In July 2015, Sentinel Capital Partners acquired Fazoli's 124 company-owned and 89 franchised locations<ref name="lhl-2015jul07">Template:Cite news</ref> but the sole remaining location in Southern Nevada closed in 2016.<ref name=lvrj-2016feb17>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The remaining 122 owned and operated restaurants were acquired in November 2022 by FAT Brands Inc., for $130 million.<ref name=tlr-2021nov02>Template:Cite news</ref>
As of January 2025, Gregg Nettleton currently serves as the President of Fazoli's and President and Chief Operating Officer of FAT Brands’ Casual Dining Division.
Expansion into Canada
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The first location in Canada is set to open soon, in the southeast quadrant of Calgary, Alberta in the neighborhood of Mahogany.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Products
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.<ref name="fundinguniverse.com" />
As of 2016, Fazoli's menu includes baked pastas, sandwiches, salads, parmigiano, meatballs and pizza.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Some restaurants offer a catering menu for collection or delivery.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
References
External links
- Restaurants established in 1988
- 1988 establishments in Kentucky
- Fast casual restaurants
- Fast-food franchises
- Fast-food chains of the United States
- Companies based in Lexington, Kentucky
- Italian restaurants in the United States
- Private equity portfolio companies
- Regional restaurant chains in the United States
- Restaurants in Kentucky
- American companies established in 1988
- Virtual restaurant