Phil Romano
Phil Romano | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Restaurateur |
Years active | 1965–present |
Known for | Founder of Fuddruckers and Romano's Macaroni Grill |
Spouse(s) | Lillie Romano |
Philip (Phil) J. Romano is an American restaurateur and entrepreneur. He is best known as the founder of the restaurant chains Fuddruckers and Romano's Macaroni Grill.[1]
Early life[]
Romano grew up in Auburn, New York. He moved to Florida in his early 20s and then moved from West Palm Beach, Florida, to San Antonio, Texas, in 1976.[2]
Career[]
Romano has founded multiple restaurant chains with a national or international reach. His biggest successes to date are Fuddruckers, Romano's Macaroni Grill, and EatZi's.[1] Romano has founded more than twenty different restaurant concepts in his career.[3][4]
Romano was also one of the earliest investors in the heart stent.[1] His initial $250,000 investment returned millions of dollars in royalties.[1]
Romano now runs a number of restaurant incubators in the west Dallas area known as Trinity Groves. He also co-owns an art gallery on Dragon Street in Dallas, Texas, called Samuel Lynne Galleries, named in part after his son, Sam.
Philanthropy[]
Romano is the Co-founder of Hunger Busters with his ex wife Lille, a Dallas charity that feeds the homeless. Phil stepped away from Hunger Busters in 2018.[1][5]
Personal life[]
Romano is married to Lillie Romano, with whom he has a son, Sam.[4] Romano and his family live in Dallas, Texas.[1] Romano is listed as an artist and author on the website for Samuel Lynne Galleries in Dallas, Texas.
Romano has been the subject of multiple controversies including:
- Using racist language and jokes on one of his restaurants' menus[6]
- Being sued for allegedly groping an employee at one of his restaurants[7]
- Removing the requirement that patrons of his restaurant, EatZi's, wear a mask[8] in March of 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "The story of Phil Romano". ActonHero.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ Richman, Tom (1 May 1986). "Love 'em And Leave 'em". Inc. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ "Philip J. Romano's History Of Restaurants". Inc. 1 May 1986. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Philip Romano". Nick & Sam's. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Hunger Busters". Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ McCarthy, Amy (2020-04-03). "Restaurateur Phil Romano Removes Racist Jokes From His New Chinese Spot's Menu". Eater Dallas. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
- ^ "CAUSE NO. CC-16-03169-B".
- ^ Rogers, Tim (2021-03-10). "Phil Romano and Eatzi's Demonstrate a Lack of Critical Thinking". D Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
External links[]
- Living people
- American restaurateurs
- Philanthropists from New York (state)
- People from Auburn, New York
- People from Dallas