Romano’s Macaroni Grill Ranked Among Top 10 Casual Dining Chains

2015 Consumer Picks survey ranks chain 7^th overall for customer preference and brand strength

Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN) announced today that Romano’s Macaroni Grill earned an overall ranking of No. 7 among casual-dining chains in its 2015 Consumer Picks survey. This is an improvement from its No. 9 ranking in 2014.

The annual survey, which NRN produced with WD Partners, is a comprehensive look at customer preference and restaurant brand strength. Survey respondents rated 40 casual-dining chains on 10 attributes, including Food Quality, Cleanliness, Service, Value and Atmosphere. Those ratings created an Overall Score, which was weighted by the importance customers placed on each attribute.

“This survey underscores what we’ve known all along: That customers love Mac Grill and that our focus on serving Italian favorites in a casual, inviting setting is just as relevant today as it was when Phil Romano got us started in 1988,” said John Gilbert, President & CEO of Romano’s Macaroni Grill. “I also believe that the recent introduction of our fast-casual service contributed to these excellent results. But more than anything, it’s a great testament to our entire team, especially those on the front lines providing outstanding service, top-quality food and great value to our guests.”

Romano’s Kitchen Counter is a fast-casual service offered in nearly every Macaroni Grill location that allows guests to enjoy a handcrafted, scratch-made lunch for $7 in seven minutes – and dinner for $9 in nine minutes – or the meal is free. Each of the dishes is drawn from signature classics found on the Macaroni Grill menu.

On April 20, Redrock Partners, LLC closed on its acquisition of Macaroni Grill from Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: IRG). Gilbert teamed with Dean Riesen, now Chairman of Romano’s Macaroni Grill, and Dick Montfort, to form Phoenix-based Redrock, which now owns 100 percent of the chain.

Macaroni Grill has grown to nearly 150 company-owned locations in 33 states, plus 25 franchise locations in the U.S. and eight other countries. The company generates more than $300 million in U.S. sales and another $40 million through its franchise operations.

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 blends Italian traditions with progressive culinary inspiration from all regions of Italy and the U.S. An extensive wine list and the chain’s unique honor wine system finish out the experience in this polished casual atmosphere.