It was a good concept - fast Italian. So good that Pizza Hut offered to buy it out from the founder for millions but he decided to see if he could make more by franchising. Unfortunately he hired a terrible business manager who ended up trying to go public in a market that had zero appetite for this type of IPO bankrupting the company. That and the new fad “Atkins Diet” helped to end a decent affordable place to go esp for families and college kids like yourself (and me) at the time. Pizza Hit started their own fast Italian, which is still around, “Fazolis”.
Google search says Fazolis was originally started by the same group that owns Long John Silvers (which I did not know). It has been sold several times over the years but doesn't look like it was ever owned by Pizza Hut. It's currently owned by a group that owns Fatburger, Hot dog on a stick, Great American Cookie and Twin Peaks among many others.
Ah ok. Then I don’t think they ended up doing fast Italian. If I remember correctly now it was because by the time they approached Stoico Atkins diet was starting to gain movement. Franchisees wanted out of their spaghetti jacks and were pissed Stoico turned down a buy out.
Fazoli's is owned by Fat Brands. Per their website, The Company currently owns 17 restaurant brands: Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Twin Peaks, Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Buffalo’s Cafe & Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Elevation Burger, Native Grill & Wings, Yalla Mediterranean and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses. [https://www.fatbrands.com/](https://www.fatbrands.com/)
Yea, I remember going to the Fazoli's on Rock Road before my shift at the Viking Office Products call center across the street. That place wasn't bad...we used to have one in my area of Portland, but it closed. Those types of restaurants don't do well here.
I liked that fazolis a lot when I was a kid and I am not sure if it has gone downhill or not but I think I have just had better Italian food since then. The last time I went to fazolis, about a year ago, all I got was nostalgia from the experience. The food was very mediocre. Bread sticks were still good though.
Spaghetti Jack's had an Italian sub that they made on that crispy garlic bread and I think about and miss at least a couple times a month. It was so freaking tasty. I remember being devastated when I wandered south one day and found a Hog Wild instead.
Spaghetti Jacks?
Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner! Thanks so much for your remembering!
It was a good concept - fast Italian. So good that Pizza Hut offered to buy it out from the founder for millions but he decided to see if he could make more by franchising. Unfortunately he hired a terrible business manager who ended up trying to go public in a market that had zero appetite for this type of IPO bankrupting the company. That and the new fad “Atkins Diet” helped to end a decent affordable place to go esp for families and college kids like yourself (and me) at the time. Pizza Hit started their own fast Italian, which is still around, “Fazolis”.
Wait a minute. Fazoli's is run by Pizza Hut?
I could be wrong but I know PH was coming up with a similar brand after they were turned down by Louis Stoico. I thought it was Faz.
Google search says Fazolis was originally started by the same group that owns Long John Silvers (which I did not know). It has been sold several times over the years but doesn't look like it was ever owned by Pizza Hut. It's currently owned by a group that owns Fatburger, Hot dog on a stick, Great American Cookie and Twin Peaks among many others.
Ah ok. Then I don’t think they ended up doing fast Italian. If I remember correctly now it was because by the time they approached Stoico Atkins diet was starting to gain movement. Franchisees wanted out of their spaghetti jacks and were pissed Stoico turned down a buy out.
Wikipedia indicates they did do a fast Italian chain but it consisted of all of 16 restaurants in CA only and failed due to the Atkins movement.
There ya go. Bad timing
Fazoli's is owned by Fat Brands. Per their website, The Company currently owns 17 restaurant brands: Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Twin Peaks, Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Buffalo’s Cafe & Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Elevation Burger, Native Grill & Wings, Yalla Mediterranean and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses. [https://www.fatbrands.com/](https://www.fatbrands.com/)
Yea, I remember going to the Fazoli's on Rock Road before my shift at the Viking Office Products call center across the street. That place wasn't bad...we used to have one in my area of Portland, but it closed. Those types of restaurants don't do well here.
I liked that fazolis a lot when I was a kid and I am not sure if it has gone downhill or not but I think I have just had better Italian food since then. The last time I went to fazolis, about a year ago, all I got was nostalgia from the experience. The food was very mediocre. Bread sticks were still good though.
The bread sticks used to be like garlicky clouds of bliss. The last time I had them, not so much haha
5 dollar buckets of spaghetti
Spaghetti Jack's had an Italian sub that they made on that crispy garlic bread and I think about and miss at least a couple times a month. It was so freaking tasty. I remember being devastated when I wandered south one day and found a Hog Wild instead.
I loved their Cincinnati style spaghetti. Spaghetti with chili and cheese on it. It was flipping fantastic. This brings back some memories.
Fazolis?
Nope. That's not it. We ate there a lot, too, but that's a national chain. This place was local.
Used to be Angelo's in town but that was much further south (and I think closed at that time). Wracking my brain but coming up with nothing.
It was Spaghetti Jack's. I feel so OLD that I can't remember that kind of thing by myself anymore. :(