Italian Restaurant Chain News – August 20, 2025

Dateline: Cincinnati, OH & Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (August 20, 2025)

Bravo Brio Restaurants Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy CINCINNATI – Bravo Brio Restaurants LLC, which owns Bravo Cucina Italiana and Brio Tuscan Grille, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This is its second bankruptcy in five years. The Orlando chain runs 25 Brio Tuscan Grille and 23 Bravo Cucina Italiana locations. It faces financial trouble due to “macroeconomic forces beyond the company’s control.” These include falling consumer demand, more competition from fast-casual options, rising food and labor costs, and weaker discretionary spending.

Bravo Brio filed for Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. They estimated their assets and liabilities to be between $50 million and $100 million each. The restructuring will enable the company to shut down struggling restaurants, renegotiate leases, and reduce its debt. Court filings reveal that Cincinnati-area shopping centers with a lot of vacant spaces are facing potential closures. Management pointed out that bankruptcy acts as a “tool for restructuring.” This is meant to help ensure a sustainable future for the remaining restaurants.

**Japanese-Italian Chain Saizeriya Announces First Malaysian Outlet** KUALA LUMPUR – Saizeriya Co., Ltd., a popular Japanese-Italian restaurant chain, has announced it will open its first branch in Malaysia. They are best known for their budget-friendly pasta and pizza. Saizeriya announced its entry into a fourth Southeast Asian market. This follows openings in Singapore, Taiwan, and China. The news was shared through the company’s online channels.

Saizeriya began in 1967 in Ichikawa City, Japan. It has expanded to over 1,600 locations worldwide. They specialize in Italian-inspired meals that are easy on the wallet. The opening date and address for the Kuala Lumpur location aren’t set yet. Still, the chain is focused on bringing genuine Italian flavors with a Japanese twist at an appealing price. Malaysian food fans are excited for more news as Saizeriya works to bring its “value-driven” model to this new market.