Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Romano's Macaroni Grill (US) Opens 1st Restaurant in Muscat

15 Jan 2016 - The Sultanate of Oman is getting its first taste of one of the world’s most popular Italian restaurant brands, with the grand opening of a new Romano’s Macaroni Grill. The new restaurant, located in the Oman Avenues Mall—the largest shopping mall in Muscat, the capital city—officially opened on December 12. It continues Macaroni Grill’s international expansion, even as the brand accelerates its growth throughout its U.S. market. “We are very excited to introduce our brand to the people of Oman and in particular to the residents of the beautiful city of Muscat,” says James Deyo, executive vice president of franchising and development at Romano’s Macaroni Grill. “The Salen Bin Lahej Group has been an outstanding franchise partner of ours for many years, and they have done a masterful job preparing and opening their newest Macaroni Grill.” The hospitality division of the Saleh Bin Lahej Group is the exclusive franchisee of Romano’s Macaroni Grill in Egypt, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. “Ever since we embraced the Macaroni Grill brand in 2007, we have been expanding throughout the Middle East,” Mohammed Saleh Bin Lahej says. “We now have four outlets in the UAE, one in Egypt, and now our newly opened restaurant in the Oman Avenues Mall.” Macaroni Grill has grown to nearly 150 company-owned locations in 33 states, plus 25 franchise locations in the U.S., and 11 other countries (Mexico, Puerto Rico, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, and the Middle East (Egypt, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman). The company generates more than $300 million in U.S. sales and another $70 million through its franchise operations. FSR Magazine

Oman · 14 Jan 2016

Redrock Partners Acquires Romano's Macaroni Grill

HOUSTON, March 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Redrock Partners, LLC today announced that it has agreed to acquire Romano's Macaroni Grill® from Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc. Redrock Partners, LLC is a limited liability corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona. Three industry veterans will be taking over ownership and operations of the popular restaurant chain: John Gilbert, who is presently President and will continue to serve as CEO of Romano's Macaroni Grill; Dean Riesen, who will serve as Chairman of the organization; and investor Dick Monfort. Redrock Partners expects to complete the transaction within 30 days. Romano's Macaroni Grill is an Italian restaurant brand founded in 1988 by Phil Romano, one of the industry's leading innovators. Inspired by the Italian "country" cuisine served in Romano's grandmother's kitchen, Macaroni Grill has grown to over $300 million in US sales and another $40 million through its franchise operations. "We are delighted to continue the work started by Ignite on the transformation of Mac Grill," said John Gilbert, who has been president of the brand for the past year. Gilbert has a strong history of brand transformation, including the launch of Jack Daniel's Grill at Friday's and leading the team that developed the "America Runs on Dunkin'" campaign at Dunkin' Donuts. Gilbert has also served as President and CEO of both public and private companies for the past seven years. "Over the past nine months, Macaroni Grill has tested and launched Romano's Kitchen Counter, which has proven to be a big hit with our customers," continued Gilbert. "Romano's Kitchen Counter features a proportional service model where the restaurants are able to provide customers with a range of service from a fast-casual counter occasion to a full-serve special occasion." Dean Riesen added: "We believe that Romano's Kitchen Counter is the beginning of a new chapter in the Macaroni Grill story. It was this growth opportunity, combined with the existing business foundation, that led me to put together the investment group to acquire Macaroni Grill." Riesen has had a lengthy financial and strategic career in the hospitality industry. He led Carlson Real Estate Company, served as the CFO of Carlson Holdings, Inc. and led the merger of Carlson's U.K. travel interest into Thomas Cook Holdings, LTD (U.K.), then serving on its board of directors. Riesen also served on the board of Famous Dave's of America and as Chairman from 2011-2014. Dick Monfort, who completes the ownership trio, also stated: "I was delighted to join this team. I have worked with both Dean and John for many years and I believe we have the ideal chemistry to continue to grow the Mac Grill business." Monfort also has deep experience in the food service and hospitality industries, serving as the President & CEO of Monfort Meats, President of the protein divisions of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and owner of the Hyatt Regency-Palm Desert. Monfort served on the Board of Famous Dave's of America, Inc. He is also the majority owner of the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team. "We believe in the huge potential of this brand," concluded Gilbert. "We are grateful for the initiatives launched under the stewardship of Ignite Restaurant Group and I know I speak for both Dean and Dick when I say that we plan on continuing, as owner/operators, those activities and building on the relationships with the employees, franchisees, landlords and suppliers that we will inherit." Highlights: Redrock Partners, LLC has agreed to acquire Romano's Macaroni Grill from Ignite Restaurants Group (IRG) Redrock LLC expects to close this transaction within 30 days. Romano's Macaroni Grill currently operates 146 locations across 33 states with a total annualized revenue of roughly $300 million Romano's Macaroni Grill franchises 25 locations in the US and in 8 other countries Romano's Macaroni Grill currently operates 136 Romano's Kitchen Counter fast-casual service locations and is likely one of the top two or three Italian fast-casual concepts in the US Romano's Kitchen Counter is currently in domestic restaurants only with plans to expand to international franchisees in the coming months Romano's Macaroni Grill will continue to be based in Houston, Texas Romano's Macaroni Grill's talented team of employees are expected to join the new enterprise under John Gilbert, who served as president of Macaroni Grill under IRG and will be CEO going forward Dean Riesen and Dick Monfort will constitute, along with Gilbert, the new board of directors, in which Riesen will act as chairman. Completion of this transaction is subject to certain conditions and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. SOURCE Romano’s Macaroni Grill

United States of America · 10 Mar 2015

First Impression: Macaroni Grill

I’ve been wanting to try out Macaroni Grill ever since I found out that their Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce dish was voted the worst pasta dish in the US for having over 2400 calories. They opened up at The Avenues awhile back and tonight I finally got the chance to try the place out and its pretty cool. Since I got food poisoned from Johnny Carino’s I’ve been looking for a replacement and I think Macaroni Grill is it. The service was very good, the atmosphere inside the place was very cozy and most importantly the Spaghetti and Meatballs dish was amazing. It really doesn’t taste like 2,430 calories! I’m definitely going back there again.

Kuwait · 27 Mar 2008