Maggiano’s pulls a page from Chili’s to bolster portion sizes
The Italian-American chain has also added 15 items to its family-style menu as part of its turnaround.
“The new family-style spread is exactly how Nonna would do it — serving up plate after plate until you couldn't possibly eat another bite, then sending you home with leftovers anyway.”
Maggiano’s Little Italy is pulling a page from Brinker International sibling chain Chili’s by investing in the menu, including heartier portion sizes. The 48-unit Italian-American chain has upgraded its family-style menu to include 15 new items such as Baked Ziti, Eggplant Parmesan, and Chicken Piccata. Additionally, pasta entrée dishes, such as Chicken Fettucine Alfredo, now include approximately 20% more pasta, as well as increased portions of chicken, meatballs, and shrimp at no extra cost.
The move is part of the brand’s “Back to Maggiano’s” plan introduced last year following a couple of soft quarters and the departure of president Dominique Bertolone. Upon his departure, Brinker CEO Kevin Hochman, who architected Chili’s historic turnaround, took over on an interim basis.
"Back to Maggiano's means recommitting to what made this brand special — scratch-made food, abundant portions with enough to take home for a second or third meal, and Italian-American favorites we all love sharing with friends and family," Hochman said in a statement. "The new family-style spread is exactly how Nonna would do it — serving up plate after plate until you couldn't possibly eat another bite, then sending you home with leftovers anyway."
Additionally, the 15 new dishes were added to provide customers with more variety. They are designed for parties of four or more and start at $44 per person, or $14 for guests under 12. The family-style experience includes two salads, two appetizers, four entrées, and three desserts.
"At Maggiano's, we've always believed that Italian-American dining should feel generous in spirit and rich in flavor," vice president of innovation and growth and chef Anthony Amoroso said in a statement. "That tradition has defined us for decades. Whether enjoying your favorite pasta or gathering around the table for Family Style, the experience should feel warm, welcoming, and leave everyone feeling satisfied. We are going back to our core beliefs to make sure every dish reflects that spirit — delivering the same scratch-made quality, abundant portions, and classic dishes that remind you why you came in the first place."
The menu isn’t the only focus area for Maggiano’s turnaround plan. Earlier this month, Brinker promoted Chili’s chief marketing officer George Felix to executive vice president and chief marketing officer of both Chili’s and Maggiano’s. In adding Maggiano’s to his purview, Felix is tasked with clarifying the brand’s positioning and improving execution to drive stronger performance.
"George has proven that when you deeply understand your guests and stay relentlessly focused on what makes a brand special, extraordinary results follow. His leadership has shaped the entire guest experience and delivered sustainable results by making Chili's more relevant than ever," Hochman said. "Elevating him to lead marketing for both brands reflects our confidence in his ability to apply a proven playbook to Maggiano's and accelerate performance."
