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Fazoli's

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fazoli's
Fazoli's
TypeSubsidiary
Industry
GenreFast Casual
Founded1988; 38 years ago (1988) as Gratzi's in Lexington, Kentucky
HeadquartersLexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Number of locations
138 in the U.S. as of September 2026[1]
Area served
United States, Canada, Puerto Rico
Key peopleTim Kimmel – President[2]
ProductsItalian-American cuisine
ParentJerrico Inc. (1988-1990)
Duskin Co / Seed Restaurant Group (1990–2006)
Sun Capital Partners (2006–2015)
Sentinel Capital Partners (2015–2021)
FAT Brands (2021–2026)
OHG Brands (2026-present)
Websitefazolis.com

Fazoli's is an American fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, the chain operates 138 locations in the United States,[3] with additional locations in Canada and Puerto Rico. Its menu includes pasta dishes, sandwiches, pizza, salads, desserts, and breadsticks.[4]

History

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Founding and early growth

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Fazoli's originated in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1988 as a restaurant concept developed by Jerrico, Inc., then the parent company of Long John Silver's and several other restaurant chains. The first location opened in September 1988 under the name Gratzi's and was renamed Fazoli's in 1989.[5]

In 1990, Seed Restaurant Group, led by former Jerrico executive Kunihide "Kuni" Toyoda, acquired the five existing Fazoli's restaurants. Under Toyoda's ownership, the chain expanded rapidly during the 1990s and early 2000s.[6]

By 2006, Fazoli's had grown to 319 restaurants in 32 states.[7]

Sun Capital and Sentinel Capital ownership

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In 2006, Fazoli's was acquired by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners.[8] During Sun Capital's ownership, the company remodeled restaurants, revised its menu and made changes to its management and operating structure.[9]

Sentinel Capital Partners acquired Fazoli's in July 2015. At the time, the chain operated 213 restaurants in 26 states, consisting of 124 company-operated restaurants and 89 franchised locations.[10][8] The acquisition followed several years of same-store sales growth and a turnaround effort led by the company's management.[11]

FAT Brands ownership

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On November 2, 2021, FAT Brands announced an agreement to acquire Fazoli's from Sentinel Capital Partners for $130 million. The acquisition was completed on December 15, 2021. FAT Brands subsequently reported a total cash purchase price of approximately $137.1 million.[12]

At the time of the acquisition, Fazoli's operated approximately 220 restaurants in 28 states.

2026 restructuring and OHG Brands

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FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2026. During the bankruptcy proceedings, the company's restaurant assets were sold or transferred to several buyers. FBG Bid Co. acquired substantially all of the assets associated with Fazoli's and several other FAT Brands restaurant concepts in a transaction that closed in June 2026. In July 2026, a federal bankruptcy court approved FAT Brands' liquidation plan following the sale and transfer of its restaurant assets.[13]

On September 30, 2026, FBG Bid Co. announced the formation of OHG Brands, a restaurant franchising company whose portfolio includes Fazoli's, Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery, Pretzelmaker, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Native Grill & Wings, Buffalo's Cafe & Express, and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses.[14]

Expansion outside the continental United States

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Fazoli's began expanding outside the continental United States during the 2020s.

In 2024, the company announced a master franchise agreement with Briwin Restaurants Inc. to develop restaurants in Canada. The first Canadian Fazoli's opened in Calgary, Alberta, in June 2025. A second Alberta restaurant later opened in Okotoks. The development agreement called for as many as 25 Canadian locations.[15]

Fazoli's also entered Puerto Rico in 2026, opening its first restaurant on the island in Bayamón.[2][16]

Restaurants and menu

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Fazoli's operates as a fast-casual and quick-service restaurant chain, with many locations offering drive-through service.

The menu includes pasta entrées, baked pasta dishes, pizza, sandwiches, salads and desserts. The chain is also known for its breadsticks, including unlimited breadstick service for dine-in customers at participating restaurants.[17]

Corporate affairs

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Fazoli's corporate operations are based in Lexington, Kentucky. As of 2026, Tim Kimmel serves as president of Fazoli's.[2] Following the restructuring of FAT Brands in 2026, Fazoli's became part of the OHG Brands portfolio.

References

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  1. ↑ https://fazolis.com/locations-directory/
  2. 1 2 3 "Fazoli's Opens First Location in Puerto Rico". www.globenewswire.com. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  3. ↑ https://fazolis.com/locations-directory/
  4. ↑ https://fazolis.com/menu/
  5. ↑ https://www.kentucky.com/lexgoeat/restaurants/article255475546.html
  6. ↑ "Fazoli's, founded in Lexington, sold to FAT Brands". Lexington Herald-Leader. November 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  7. ↑ https://www.kentucky.com/lexgoeat/restaurants/article255475546.html
  8. 1 2 Romeo, Peter (July 7, 2015). "Fazoli's sold to Newk's & TGI Fridays parent". Restaurant Business. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Private Investment Firm Completes Sale of Fazoli's". QSR Magazine. July 7, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Sentinel Capital Partners Acquires Fazoli's" (Press release). Sentinel Capital Partners. July 7, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  11. ↑ Maze, Jonathan (July 8, 2015). "Fazoli's plots growth following sale". Nation's Restaurant News. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  12. ↑ "FAT Brands Inc. to Acquire Fazoli's Restaurant Chain for $130 Million". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. November 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  13. ↑ "FAT Brands gets court go-ahead for liquidation plan". Reuters. July 27, 2026. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  14. ↑ https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/fat-brands-becomes-ohg-brands-under-new-ownership/
  15. ↑ "Fazoli's Opens First International Restaurant in Canada". QSR Magazine. June 5, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Fazoli's Opens First Location in Puerto Rico - FranchisePressReleases.com | Franchise PR, Opportunities & Resources". Archived from the original on September 5, 2026. Retrieved September 6, 2026.
  17. ↑ https://fazolis.com/menu/

See also

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