Phil 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]

Phil Romano
NationalityAmerican
OccupationRestaurateur
Years active1965–present
Known forFounder of Fuddruckers and Romano's Macaroni Grill

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 was married to Lillie Romano (they divorced in 2013), with whom he has a son, Sam.[4] Romano and his son, Sam, live in Dallas, Texas.[1] Romano is listed as an artist and author on the website for Samuel Lynne Galleries in Dallas, Texas.

Romano faced controversy when he used racist language and jokes on one of his restaurants' menus[6]

References
  1. "The story of Phil Romano". ActonHero.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  2. Richman, Tom (1 May 1986). "Love 'em And Leave 'em". Inc. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  3. "Philip J. Romano's History Of Restaurants". Inc. 1 May 1986. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  4. "Philip Romano". Nick & Sam's. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  5. "Hunger Busters". Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  6. McCarthy, Amy (2020-04-03). "Restaurateur Phil Romano Removes Racist Jokes From His New Chinese Spot's Menu". Eater Dallas. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
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