Tony Roma's

Last updated
Romacorp Inc.
Tony Roma's
Company type Private
Industry Restaurants
Founded North Miami, Florida (1972;52 years ago (1972))
FounderTony Roma
Headquarters
Orlando, Florida
,
U.S.
Key people
Mohaimina Haque, Esq. (Interim CEO)
Products ribs, steak, chicken, and seafood
Number of employees
500
Website Tony Roma's U.S.

Romacorp Inc., which does business as Tony Roma's, is an American casual dining chain restaurant specializing in baby back ribs. The first location was established by the founder, Tony Roma, in 1972 in North Miami, Florida. [1] Clint Murchison Jr. purchased a majority stake in the restaurant in 1976, and he and Roma established the jointly owned Roma Corporation. [2] The first international location opened in 1979 in Tokyo, followed by an international expansion with both company-owned stores and franchises. [2] As of 2020, there are over 115 locations [3] on six continents. [4]

Contents

History

1972−1999

Tony Roma, the driving force and namesake behind the casual dining eatery, opened the first Tony Roma's in North Miami on January 20, 1972. [5] Prior to opening his self-named restaurant, Tony Roma was the food and beverage specialist for the Playboy Club.

Originally a steak and burger restaurant, one weekend, chef David Smith grilled baby back ribs and served them with Tony Roma's BBQ sauce. The ribs proved to be popular, and were added to the permanent menu, and quickly became what Tony Roma's was known for. Tony Roma's menu further expanded to include seafood, pasta, chicken, and sandwiches. [6]

Four years later, in 1976, Clint Murchison Jr., the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, was in Miami for Super Bowl X. Murchison purchased the majority stake in the restaurant, going on to become the driving force behind Tony Roma's international expansion. Murchison and Roma established Roma Corporation, a jointly-owned company that oversaw the restaurants and sold franchises. [2]

In 1979, the first international location opened in Tokyo, Japan, and by 1983; there were 30 Tony Roma's restaurants around the world. During the mid-1980s, Roma Corp's growth plan included opening more franchises, rather than company-owned stores. [2]

Murchison sold his shares in Roma Corp to his children in 1984, and Kenneth Reimer, a Murchison business associate, took over as CEO of Roma. Tony Roma himself also sold his interest in the company to the Murchison children. [7]

2000–present

Under Reimer, Tony Roma's expanded, growing the menu, opening more locations, and remodeling older restaurants for a more modern feel. In 2002, Frank Steed took over as CEO and president of Roma Corp [8] and David Grail became head of menu development. Steed signed agreements to open an additional 60 Tony Roma's across South America, Europe, and the Middle East. [9]

In 2001, original head chef David Smith retired and Tony Roma's first executive chef, Bob Gallagher, came on board in 2006. [7] In 2003, Tony Roma died in Hemet, California, at the age of 78. [6]

As of 2006, there were 1,725 employees. [10]

On March 3, 2015, Tony Roma's launched TR Fire Grill in Orlando, Florida, with more locations planned for the following months. [11]

Baby-back ribs and onion loaf Troma2.JPG
Baby-back ribs and onion loaf

When the first Tony Roma's opened in the 1970s, the restaurant was known for its burger and steaks until chef David Smith cooked up some baby back ribs and they became popular. [6] Today the menu includes ribs, burgers, and steaks, as well as chicken and seafood dishes, appetizers, vegetarian dishes, desserts, and a cocktail list. Many international locations provide additional options that conform to local customs. [12] Tony Roma's menu is routinely updated with specials, new chef-created dishes, and seasonal cuisines. [13] In 2015, Roma Corp's introduced a new concept, TR Fire Grill & Lounge, in Orlando, Florida, featuring modern American cuisine and modern cocktails. [14] [15]

A number of entrees from the Tony Roma's menu are available as prepackaged frozen meals, sold in supermarkets. The entrees are manufactured and distributed by Rupari Food Services. [16] Tony Roma's original barbecue sauce is also available in supermarkets.

Locations

Tony Roma's in Berlin Berlin Potsdamer Platz Tony Romas 13.01.2015 17-39-54.jpg
Tony Roma's in Berlin

As of 2020, the franchise has over 100 locations [3] on six continents. [4]

In 1976, Tony Roma's was one of the first US chain restaurants to expand into the international market, opening their first store in Japan. During the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Tony Roma's expanded into Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. Tony Roma's has also expanded to the Middle East, including the UAE. As of 2015, Tony Roma's had around 120 international stores spread across five continents, with 20 restaurants in the United States. [1] The franchise introduced a brand makeover in 2016 with a new store model. [4]

As of 2016, the only location near New York City was inside Newark Liberty International Airport, after the Commack branch closed as part of a downsizing. There also remained a location in Niagara Falls at the time. The closure left 20 locations in the United States, with most remaining restaurants international. [17] In 2018, the company opened a location in South Palm Beach, Florida, its first US franchise in six years and its first new US restaurant since 2014. [18]

As of 2020, there are two locations in Southern California. There is one near the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, California, and another in Anaheim, California, near the Disneyland Resort. [19]

Tony Roma's is consistently opening new restaurants in emerging markets. [1] In 2015, Tony Roma's became one of the first US-based restaurants to open a store in Myanmar. [20] As of 2018, Tony Roma's had "new licensing deals in the United States, Europe, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand" and "new development agreements in Spain, Nicaragua and Bolivia." [18]

Countries and territories with restaurants

Countries with Tony Roma's restaurants Tony romas world locations.PNG
Countries with Tony Roma's restaurants

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamburger</span> Food consisting of a beef patty between rounded buns

A hamburger, or better known as a burger, is a food consisting of fillings—usually a patty of ground meat, typically beef—placed inside a sliced bun or bread roll. Hamburgers are often served with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon, or chilis; condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, or a "special sauce", often a variation of Thousand Island dressing; and are frequently placed on sesame seed buns. A hamburger patty topped with cheese is called a cheeseburger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hardee's</span> American-based fast-food restaurant chain

Hardee's Restaurants LLC is an American fast-food restaurant chain operated by CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. ("CKE") with locations primarily in the Southern and Midwestern United States. The company has evolved through several corporate ownerships since its establishment in 1960 in North Carolina.

Quiz Holdings, LLC, doing business as Quiznos, is an American franchised fast-food restaurant based in Denver that specializes in offering toasted submarine sandwiches. It was founded in 1981 by Jimmy Lambatos and sold to Rick and Richard Schaden ten years later. It then grew to nearly 5,000 restaurants; by 2013, Quiznos was the second-largest submarine sandwich shop chain in North America, behind Subway. It filed for bankruptcy in 2014; by 2016, it had dropped to ninth place, and the number of Quiznos locations in the United States fell from a 2007 high of 4,700 to just 400 a decade later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steak 'n Shake</span> American restaurant chain

Steak 'n Shake Operations, Inc. is an American casual restaurant chain concentrated primarily in the Midwestern United States with locations also in the South, Mid-Atlantic, Western United States, Europe, and the Middle East. The company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Biglari Holdings. As of 2018, 628 Steak 'n Shake restaurants were in operation; of those 414 were corporate-owned, and 214 franchised. The company has since attempted to convert to a fully franchised model.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. is an American multi-brand restaurant operator headquartered in Orlando, Florida. As of May 2023, the firm owns three fine dining restaurant chains: Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Eddie V's and The Capital Grille; and six casual dining restaurant chains: Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, Yard House and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. Until July 28, 2014, Darden also owned Red Lobster. Darden has more than 1,800 restaurant locations and more than 175,000 employees, making it the world's largest full-service restaurant company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonny's BBQ</span>

Sonny's BBQ is a barbecue restaurant chain founded by Floyd "Sonny" Tillman in Gainesville, Florida, in 1968. Bob Yarmuth purchased the company in 1991 and continues as the company's owner and CEO today. As of 2016, Sonny's BBQ has 113 restaurants across eight Southeastern states and is headquartered in Maitland, Florida. The restaurant specializes in Southern-style BBQ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uno Pizzeria & Grill</span> American franchised pizza restaurant chain

Uno Pizzeria & Grill, or more informally as Uno’s, is a United States-origin franchised pizzeria restaurant chain under the parent company Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation. Uno Pizzeria and Grill is best known for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Ike Sewell opened the first Pizzeria Uno in 1940.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qdoba</span> Restaurant chain

Qdoba is a chain of fast casual restaurants in the United States and Canada serving Mexican-style cuisine. After 15 years as a wholly owned subsidiary of Jack in the Box, the company was sold to a consortium of funds led by Apollo Global Management in March 2018. In October 2022, Qdoba was acquired by Butterfly Equity. At the time of the acquisition, Qdoba had nearly 750 locations across North America. It is the No.2 player and No.1 franchisor of Mexican fast-casual dining in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spur Steak Ranches</span> Steakhouse franchise restaurant chain based in South Africa

Spur Corporation is a steakhouse franchise restaurant chain originating from South Africa with a focus on family dining. The head office of Spur Corporation is situated in Century City, Cape Town. Although the founding and flagship brand is the Spur steakhouse restaurants, the company owns a number of other, mostly South African, restaurant brands. Spur Steak Ranches is a themed South African family favourite and is fondly known as "the official restaurant of the South African family"; as such, most Spur restaurants include a children's play area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas City–style barbecue</span> Dish of slowly smoked meat

Kansas City–style barbecue is a slowly smoked meat barbecue originating in Kansas City, Missouri in the early 20th century. It has a thick, sweet sauce derived from brown sugar, molasses, and tomatoes. Henry Perry is credited as its originator, as two of the oldest Kansas City–style barbecue restaurants still in operation trace their roots back to Perry's pit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steak Escape</span>

Steak Escape is a restaurant chain based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. Locations are typically found in food courts in shopping malls as well as airports, all serving a variety of menu items, including cheesesteaks. The company is known as the originator of the mall cheesesteak concept. The chain is owned by Columbus, Ohio-based Escape Enterprises.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steak and Ale</span> American chain of casual dining restaurants

Steak and Ale was an American chain of casual dining restaurants that went bankrupt in 2008. However the brand, recipes and other intellectual property associated with the former chain are currently owned by Legendary Restaurant Brands, LLC, the parent company for Bennigan's.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L&L Hawaiian Barbecue</span>

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, known also as L&L Drive-Inn or colloquially as L&L, is a Hawaii-themed franchise restaurant chain based in Honolulu, Hawaii, centered on the plate lunch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LongHorn Steakhouse</span> American restaurant chain

LongHorn Steakhouse is an American casual dining restaurant chain owned and operated by Darden Restaurants, headquartered in Orlando, Florida. As of 2023, LongHorn Steakhouse generated more than $2.5 billion in sales in its 563 locations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas de Brazil</span>

Texas de Brazil is a family owned churrascaria restaurant chain with locations both internationally and domestically. It debuted October 13, 1998, in Addison, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The restaurant is a Brazilian-American "churrascaria", or steakhouse that combines the cuisines of southern Brazil with Texan style meats. Customers turn a piece of paper green side up to get meat, or red side up to no longer receive meat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Sims Barbecue</span> Restaurant in Oklahoma City-based, United States

Billy Sims BBQ is an American restaurant chain founded by former professional football player, Billy Sims and his business partner, Jeff Jackson. In 2004, Sims and Jackson opened the first Billy Sims BBQ location in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The brand is supported by 54 locations operating across nine states. Billy Sims BBQ is a fast casual dining restaurant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dickey's Barbecue Pit</span> American barbecue restaurant chain

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is an American family-owned barbecue restaurant chain based in Dallas, Texas, and is a subsidiary of Dickey's Capital Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foster's Hollywood</span>

Foster's Hollywood is a chain of American food restaurants located in Spain and Portugal, whose establishments are characterized as so-called “casual restaurants”, but understood in a foreign culture to be a type of ethnic restaurant, such as Italian or Asian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burtons Grill & Bar</span> American restaurant chain

Burtons Grill & Bar is an American casual dining restaurant chain headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, specializing in contemporary American cuisine. It operates 19 restaurants along the East Coast of the United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Orlando Sentinel (15 February 2015). "Central Florida restaurant chains push beyond U.S. borders". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "About Tony Roma's". Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Locations", Tony Roma's
  4. 1 2 3 "Openings: New barbecue restaurant to debut at Hilton near PBI in West Palm", Palm Beach Post, Liza Balmaseda, January 9, 2018.
  5. ↑ Barbara Farfan. "Tony Roma's Restaurants Mission Statement – Mission, Headquarters, Founders Facts, History and Trivia About Tony Roma's Casual Theme Restaurant Chain". About.com Money. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Tony Roma, 78 – Began Chain of Rib Restaurants – NYTimes.com.
  7. 1 2 "History of Romacorp, Inc. – FundingUniverse" . Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "Steed to head Tony Roma's" . Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "Tony Roma, 78; Restaurateur Created World-Famous Barbecued Ribs Recipe". Los Angeles Times. 15 June 2003. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "Romacorp, Inc. – Google Finance" . Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  11. ↑ Megan Ribbens (4 March 2015). "Romacorp debuts TR Fire Grill concept, preps Winter Park location". Orlando Business Journal. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  12. ↑ "EAT's a treat at Ayala Malls!". philstar.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  13. ↑ Mad Vine Media Financial Content. "Tony Roma's Introduces New Menu Inspired by the Fresh Flavors of a Farmer's Market - Boston.com" . Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  14. ↑ McPherson, Heather (December 13, 2015). "TR Fire Grill hitting its stride". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  15. ↑ [ dead link ]
  16. ↑ Rupari Food Services Rolls Out New Tony Roma's Retail Products from FranchiseSolutions.com
  17. ↑ "", Melissa Cart, October 18, 2016, Newsday
  18. 1 2 "Tony Roma's Opening First U.S. Franchise in Six Years". Franchise Times. January 17, 2018. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Search Tony Roma's Locations | Ribs, Seafood, Steaks".
  20. ↑ "Tony Roma's opens first restaurant in Myanmar". 13 January 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.