Ask people to picture their favorite food, and creamy pasta, hot pepperoni pizza, and indulgent gelato beat out sushi, tacos, and even McDonald's.
Italian food consistently ranks as the world's most popular cuisine, edging out Chinese and **** anese in global surveys. A 2019 YouGov poll of more than 25,000 people across 24 countries put Italian in first place among 34 national cuisines.
But popularity hasn't been enough to shield Italian restaurants from rising labor and food costs. Over the past few years, some of the biggest names in the category have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, from Bravo Brio to Pizza Hut, Bertucci's, and Buca di Beppo.
Earlier this year, I reported that fast-casual chain Fazoli's had joined that list. In January 2026, its parent company, California-based FAT Brands Inc., filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Now, Fazoli's is closing restaurants across the country, and the numbers are worse than most people realize.
#bankruptcy #across
Italian food consistently ranks as the world's most popular cuisine, edging out Chinese and **** anese in global surveys. A 2019 YouGov poll of more than 25,000 people across 24 countries put Italian in first place among 34 national cuisines.
But popularity hasn't been enough to shield Italian restaurants from rising labor and food costs. Over the past few years, some of the biggest names in the category have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, from Bravo Brio to Pizza Hut, Bertucci's, and Buca di Beppo.
Earlier this year, I reported that fast-casual chain Fazoli's had joined that list. In January 2026, its parent company, California-based FAT Brands Inc., filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Now, Fazoli's is closing restaurants across the country, and the numbers are worse than most people realize.
#bankruptcy #across
11 days ago
