Thursday, May 28, 2020

[UPDATE] There is Now Just One Romano's Macaroni Grill Left in Georgia

Romano's Macaroni Grill has permanently closed its restaurants on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta and on Dallas Highway in West Cobb.  The closures, which were reportedly confirmed by the company earlier this week, do not indicate a reason for them, but the effects of COVID-19 are believed to have played a part.  Prior to the notice of their permanent closure being sent to members of their email list, both restaurants, like so many in Georgia and around the country, had been "closed temporarily."
Macaroni Grill in West Cobb occupied an inline, corner space with great visibility from Dallas Highway, while the Alpharetta location occupied a freestanding building near Jordan Court and the primary entrance to Costco.  Both locations could be desirable for businesses, especially restaurants, looking for second generation space in high traffic locations.  

The closures of the Alpharetta and West Cobb Macaroni Grill locations leave the now Denver-based chain with just one outpost in Georgia, in Buford near the Mall of Georgia.  The casual dining chain previously closed locations in Dunwoody and Snellville in 2013 and 2016, respectively.  

The former Dunwoody location, situated along Ashford Dunwoody Road in the Ashford Place shopping center, is today occupied by Wild Wing Cafe.  The former Snellville location, situated along Scenic Highway in The Shoppes at Webb Gin, is today The Diner at Webb Gin.  

Romano's Macaroni Grill was started by serial restaurateur Philip J. Romano (also the founder of Fuddruckers and EatZi's, among other concepts) in 1988 before being sold to multi-unit operator Brinker International in 1989.  After a number of subsequent sales, the chain is today owned by Phoenix, Arizona-based Redrock Partners, LLC.  

Are you surprised by the permanent closures of Romano's Macaroni Grill in Alpharetta and West Cobb?  What is your favorite casual dining chain restaurant?  What would you like to see open in place of the former Macaroni Grill locations in Alpharetta and West Cobb?

Please share your thoughts below. 

9 comments:

Jml813 said...

Again can't say that I'm surprised. I work in the area and they were always empty at lunch and dinner. Service was slow at best and the food was not impressive. I see a lot of mediocre restaurants closing with covid-19 being the final straw.

Unknown said...

I live very close to the West Cobb location.(I could walk there if I wanted to) It doesn't surprise me that they closed. I boycotted them many years ago due to poor service and a decline in the quality of their food. I hope something good goes in there

Anonymous said...

Most of these big chain casual restaurants (Macaroni Grill, Applebees, Chili's, Olive Garden) aren't really that bad but none of them are anything to write home about, let alone pay some of the prices they charged for essentially microwaved food and often mediocre service. Many were struggling before the virus hit and now many more will close from the looks of it.

Fast food places like McDonald's, CFA such do well because the average person is on the go and it's easy to get food for the kids. They have all taken a hit but most will likely bounce back.

Anonymous said...

They have been swirling the drain for last few years. RIP

Charles Arnott said...

They have been swirling the drain for years. R.I.P.

the unquiet librarian said...

I loved the food at the Alpharetta location even though it was a little overpriced, but the service was often slow and not very friendly. The last two years it was pretty much empty any time I went, including Easter Brunch.

Don't Cry For Me said...

Sad to see it gone. I only go there for lunch menu because the price was more reasonable. At one point, they gave you $5 credit if you brought the receipt within 14 days. During COVID, they offered $25 for a meal for 4, which I think is a pretty good deal.

Unknown said...

I have a gift card. The mall of fa is far from me. Can I use card at fudruckers?

Anonymous said...

My favorite place for Italian food hello stupid phone

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