Maggiano's Little Italy is all an Italian franchise restaurant should be. This is the place to go if you're on a date, wanting to feed your family, or simply want a tasty retreat with friends. This brand, which was founded in 1991 in Chicago, Illinois, is noted for its gigantic servings, distinctive, Italy-inspired cuisine, and the warm, friendly atmosphere of each of its restaurants. Even if you come prepared to expect excellently, the presentation of their cuisine is always amazing, and the tastes will blow your mind. Whether you're eating an appetizer, a full dish, or one of their decadent desserts, each bite is ecstatic.

When you're perusing the extensive menu at Maggiano's Little Italy, you can rest assured that anything you choose will be great. With that degree of confidence, you can trust your taste sensations to lead you. Make sure you're hungry before you go since you'll want to appreciate every bite of whatever you eat.

Founded: 1991

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, United States
Website: https://www.maggianos.com/

Carrabba's Italian Grill is a strong contender for the #1 slot in this list. They didn't win the race outright, but it was a close call. This restaurant delivers excellent Italian cuisine, has excellent service, and is both refined and enjoyable.

Unlike places like Zio's Italian Kitchen and Romano's Macaroni Grill, there isn't much of a difference in quality between their meat and pasta meals. The Chicken Bryan is one of Carrabba's Italian Grill's most popular menu dishes. This magnificent meal comprises wood-grilled chicken that has been topped with sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, lemon butter, and basil. On the side, you'll find a big portion of well-cooked pasta topped with a delectable sauce. It's a win-win situation.

The fact that Carrabba's Italian Grill is owned by Bloomin' Brands, the same corporation that operates Outback Steakhouse, may worry some individuals. However, you should not be concerned. You'll adore Carrabba's Italian Grill even if you believe Outback Steakhouse is overrated and not worth your time or money.

Founded: December 26, 1986

Headquarters: Tampa, Florida, United States
Website: https://carrabbasoriginal.com/

If you don't speak Italian, you might be taken aback when you hear the name of this restaurant for the first time. Buca di Beppo may appear to be a location where formal attire or a suit and tie are necessary, but this is not the case. Buca di Beppo literally translates to "my buddy's basement," which hints at why you'll enjoy this restaurant brand. This is family-style Italian eating at its finest, from the red-checkered tablecloths to the relaxed atmosphere that pervades the restaurant.

Buca di Beppo's greatness originates with its generous serving sizes. Your dinner begins with complimentary garlic bread that is superior to that provided by any other Italian chain restaurant. From there, the appetizers are robust and filling, and the entrees are more substantial than you might expect. Buca di Beppo excels not just in terms of quantity, but also in terms of quality. You'll enjoy your dinner till the last bite has vanished into your mouth.

Founded: 1993

Headquarters: Orlando, Florida, United States

Website: https://www.bucadibeppo.com/

Romano's Macaroni Grill is a high-end Italian restaurant franchise. This chain, which was created in 1988 by the same person who founded Fuddruckers, today has over 40 sites in 15 states.

This restaurant is the polar opposite of Zio's Italian Kitchen. Meat meals should be avoided at that chain. The beef dishes at Romano's Macaroni Grill are to die for. All of the meat selections on their menu are fantastic, from the Braised Lamb Shank to the Shrimp Portofino, and from the Pollo Caprese to the Grilled Salmon. Their dessert selections are equally excellent, ranging from Romano's Cannoli to Tiramisu.

Despite having "macaroni" in its name, Romano's Macaroni Grill's pasta dishes fall short of the excellent standards set by their meat dishes. Their pasta dishes are unquestionably better than average, but they won't dazzle you as their meat dishes would.

Founded: April 19, 1988

Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States

Website: https://www.macaronigrill.com/

The Old Spaghetti Factory isn't lying when they say they're over 100 years old. This restaurant franchise has been in operation for more than 50 years and is owned and run by a family. Portland, Oregon was their initial location. They now operate over 40 facilities in more than a dozen states.

This restaurant excels when it comes to colorful décor and a family-friendly yet elegant ambience. The Old Spaghetti Factory is a popular tourist attraction. Similarly, the cuisine is consistently excellent. While the cuisine isn't quite up to the standards of the places higher up on our list, you'll always depart with a wide grin and a full stomach.

The Old Spaghetti Factory is famed for its three-course dinners, which include an entrée, freshly baked bread, soup or salad, and a scoop of spumoni or vanilla ice cream. If you've never had spumoni before, don't be afraid to order the vanilla ice cream instead. Spumoni is a milk sherbet that tastes like ice cream from Naples.

Founded: January 10, 1969, Portland, Oregon, United States
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, United States

Website: https://www.osf.com/

From California to New Jersey, Brio Italian Grille has a location near you. Unlike the aforementioned Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, this establishment provides excellent service. Their restaurants are opulent enough to dazzle while still being inviting places to unwind and relax. Even if the rates are hefty, you may absolutely afford to visit on exceptional occasions. Their meals, for example, are less expensive than those offered by most big steakhouse businesses.

Brio Italian Grille is held back from advancing higher in this ranking by two factors. First and foremost, their menu is lacking in variety. A lot of their cuisine is the same. Other Italian restaurants have a greater variety of choices. Second, the serving sizes might be hit or miss here. You may be entirely satiated by the quantity of food you receive on occasion. You may appreciate the meal at times, but wish there was more of it at other times.

Founded: 1992

Headquarters: Orlando, Florida

Website: https://www.brioitalian.com/contact/

Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano has a lot going for it. Most significantly, the meal is really delicious. In fact, this business is certainly in the elite tier when it comes to the cuisine they provide. If you find yourself licking your plate at the end of the dinner, don't be shocked.

In addition to delicious food, Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano earns extra points for providing a large array of gluten-free selections. If you're on a gluten-free diet and want Italian food, this is the place to go. You won't be disappointed.

However, Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano has one big flaw. This chain's customer service is lacking, resulting in mixed ratings. Diners have every right to expect exceptional service, given that the meal isn't exactly inexpensive. Unfortunately, this chain's service isn't always trustworthy. If you're thinking of going to this restaurant, keep in mind their unstable service before making your selection.

Founded: 1999

Headquarters: Bloomington, Illinois

Website: http://www.biaggis.com

Sure, Olive Garden isn't going to win any awards for authenticity. This isn't the kind of chain where you go for excellent cuisine. The food served at Olive Garden will never be mistaken for that of a Michelin-starred restaurant. However, you should not feel embarrassed if you adore this location. They have great salad and their magnificent breadsticks are irresistible. They serve comfort cuisine that is appreciated by taste buds from coast to coast.

Olive Garden is the most successful Italian chain restaurant in terms of revenue and number of outlets. That isn't by chance. No matter whatever location you visit, the quality of Olive Garden's food remains consistent. Their pricing are usually fair, and they frequently offer tantalizing specials such as the Never Ending Pasta Bowl and limitless breadsticks, soup, and salad.

Olive Garden isn't the finest of the best when it comes to restaurants. With a straight face, no one could deny that it's a chain that fulfills its mission - and does it effectively.

Founded: December 13, 1982

Headquarters: Orlando, Florida, United States

Website: http://olivegarden.vn/

You can be sure that if you go to Zio's Italian Kitchen with a plan, you will enjoy your dinner. In contrast, don't be surprised if you leave this restaurant unsatisfied and disappointed if you have no notion what you should be doing.

Zio's Italian Kitchen boasts a huge menu with almost endless choices. If it's called Italian food, it'll be on the menu someplace. However, not all of the food they provide is of same quality. To be honest, it isn't even close.

Your approach at Zio's Italian Kitchen should be to avoid meat meals and stick to noodle dishes. Their meat options, from the Chicken Piccata to the Grilled Tilapia, are sure to disappoint. Their pasta dishes, such as Baked Ziti, Cheese Ravioli, and Manicotti, on the other hand, are extremely delicious. Zio's Italian Kitchen will make you happy if you order their spaghetti. You'll live to regret it if you depart from that strategy and choose a meat-centered dish.

Founded: 1994

Headquarters: Oklahoma City, OK, United States

Website: https://zios.com/

When it comes to experience, few Italian franchise restaurants in the United States can compare to Amato's, which has a history spanning more than 120 years. In 1900, its founder started selling Italian cuisine in Portland, Maine. Amato's Italian Sandwiches was founded in Portland in 1902. This business now sells a lot more than just sandwiches. At Amato's, you may get your hands on a broad variety of Italian treats, including calzones, pizzas, and pastas.

This restaurant's food is consistently excellent. Nothing they offer will blow your mind, but when compared to the competition, this Italian chain restaurant deserves to be deemed at least acceptable. Each mouthful of cuisine reflects the years of knowledge and expertise they've accumulated. While you shouldn't go to Amato's to impress a date, it's a wonderful option if you just want nice Italian food at a reasonable price.

Founded: 1902

Headquarters: Portland, Maine, United States

Website: https://www.amatos.com/

In Columbus, Ohio, the very first Bravo! Italian Kitchen opened its doors in 1992. They've been a restaurant serving delicious Italian food since the beginning. There are now almost two dozen sites throughout 14 states. In the evening menu at Bravo! Italian Kitchen, you'll find everything from classics like Chicken Parmesan and Spaghetti Bolognese to pricier options like Crispy Shrimp Napoli and Fra Diavolo.

What is preventing this chain from moving up in our rankings? Inconsistency, to put it simply. You'll be pleased after visiting Bravo! Italian Kitchen on occasion. The Spaghetti Pomodoro, Fettuccine Alfredo, or anything you choose will be delectable, and you'll be counting down the days until your next return. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case, and you may be disappointed to discover that their cuisine isn't up to par. You won't know what to anticipate from one visit to the next, even if you order the same meal.

Founded: 1992

Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio, United States

Websitehttps://www.bravoitalian.com/index.html

If you live in New England, there's a strong chance you're close to a Bertucci's location. There are about 50 places in this network, all of which are east of the Mississippi River.

The good news is that Bertucci's lunch and evening menus are both rather substantial. If you have a favorite Italian dish, there's a good chance it'll be on their menu. Furthermore, their menus provide a variety of selections for youngsters, making this company a popular location for families.

Regrettably, the bad news outnumbers the positive. Most egregiously, the meal quality at Bertucci's is essentially that of a drive-thru window. Although the cuisine isn't horrible, this restaurant is essentially the McDonald's of Italian franchise eateries. That wouldn't be a deal-breaker in and of itself, but when you add in the high prices on the menu, Bertucci's becomes hard to suggest. Good cuisine at exorbitant costs isn't a prescription for success, which is why they had to declare bankruptcy in 2018. Although this chain is still going strong, it is not worth your money.

Founded: 1981

Headquarters: Northborough, MA

Website: http://www.bertuccis.com

Your expectations will be sky-high the first time you visit a Spaghetti Warehouse restaurant. The interior design is certainly beautiful. Each site is designed to seem just like an Italian restaurant. The ambience will delight your senses, and your mouth will moisten as you anticipate the delectable cuisine that will undoubtedly be delivered to you.

Unfortunately, your disappointment will be obvious as your meal comes at your table. While the design and ambience are impeccable, the meal is a complete disappointment. You'd think that at a place called Spaghetti Warehouse, the spaghetti would be safe. But, no, you'll discover that assumption is incorrect. Their pasta has been overcooked and has turned into a mushy mass. Even the meatballs will make you groan with boredom since the sauce is bland. You'll wish you had chosen a better Italian chain restaurant by the time you've finished dining at Spaghetti Warehouse.

Founded: 1972

Headquarters: Los Angeles, California.

Website: http://www.meatballs.com/

More than 200 Fazoli's restaurants may be found in more than 25 states. Even if you're dying for Italian cuisine and there's a location near you, simply say no. This chain isn't deserving of your patronage.

First and foremost, Fazoli's use deception to get you to believe that their cuisine is authentically authentic, which is just not the case. While restaurants aren't to fault for making their cuisine seem better than it is, Fazoli's takes it a step further by employing bogus Italian terms and phrases to deceive you. That's taking things too far.

Second, their meal isn't that tasty. It'd be one thing if they utilized deceptive marketing to lure you in and then wowed you with wonderful cuisine. However, once you get at Fazoli's, you'll find you've been duped. Their Italian cuisine is on par with what you'd get in a school cafeteria. Keep your distance.

Founded: 1988

Headquarters: Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Website: https://fazolis.com/

Johnny Carino's served excellent Italian meals a few decades back. You didn't appear to be able to go wrong with anything you choose from their menu. After you've eaten your main course, Johnny Carino's desserts will put a smile on your face even wider.

Unfortunately, things have changed at this Italian franchise restaurant. Johnny Carino's has struggled financially in recent years, and the chain has shrunk from more than 170 sites to around 40. The quality of their cuisine has deteriorated dramatically over the last 20 years or so. Johnny Carino's is the place to go to if you want awful cuisine at exorbitant prices. Even apparently safe options like pizza, tortelloni, and lasagna will leave you feeling completely unsatisfied. Desserts, particularly their watery tiramisu, will just add to the melancholy.

Even if you used to adore Johnny Carino's, stay away from this location at all costs. It's not even close to being as tasty as you recall.

Founded: 1997

Headquarters: Austin, Texas, United States

Website: https://www.carinos.com/#/