Two months after declaring bankruptcy, Bravo! Italian Kitchen and Brio Italian Grille have a new investor.
Multi-concept restaurant group R&R Brands announced Wednesday that it closed on a strategic agreement to bring the Italian concepts under its management and operational leadership. The company will oversee 48 company-owned Bravo! and Brio restaurants across 20 states in addition to its existing portfolio of Party Fowl, Cody’s Original Roadhouse, Santa Fe Cattle Co., Celebrity Theatres, and several Walk-On’s franchise locations.
“This is a defining moment for our company,” R&R Brands CEO Scott Taylor said in a statement. “BRAVO! and Brio are household names with deep guest loyalty and incredible untapped potential. We’re stepping in with fresh energy, proven operational expertise and a clear vision to deliver the next great chapter for both brands.”
Later this fall, R&R Brands will launch a strategic turnaround plan covering operations, marketing, and technology. The goal is to modernize Bravo! and Brio, refresh the menus, and reintroduce the concepts to new customers.
R&R Brands has distinct ideas for what each restaurant should be. Brio will be a polished casual chain where customers are reminded of wine country; it will be a concept fit for working professionals, date nights, and lovers of wine. Meanwhile, Bravo! will be a family-friendly environment with an upbeat atmosphere, along with classic Italian dishes like baked pastas, chicken parmesan, and lasagna.
“This strategic investment and management partnership perfectly captures what R&R is all about—building a diverse, high-performing portfolio without sacrificing what makes each concept special,” Taylor said. “Legacy brands still have enormous value when you combine them with the right leadership, partnership structure and strategy. This is just the beginning.”
When Brio and Bravo! declared bankruptcy in August, it was the second time they had done so in five years. The restaurants blamed the court filing on intense macroeconomic factors, declining consumer demand, and increased competition, especially from the fast-casual segment. The Italian chains were also hurt by a combination of rising food and labor costs and softening in discretionary consumer spending. The company listed assets between $50 million and $100 million and liabilities between $50 million and $100 million.
The first bankruptcy occurred in April 2020 when former parent company FoodFirst Global sought court protections due to the COVID pandemic. A couple of months later, Earl Enterprises bought the chains for $30 million.
R&R Brands is experiencing growth across its portfolio. Party Fowl is gearing up for expansion into different markets and a new Walk-On’s location recently debuted in Jacksonville, Florida. Another Walk-On’s store is scheduled to open in Dothan, Alabama, before the end of 2025.
