Spaghetti Warehouse
| File:SpaghettiWarehouse.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | Dallas, Texas (1972) |
| Headquarters | United States |
Number of locations | 5 locations, 1 to-go only |
| Subsidiaries | Frandeli, Inc. |
Spaghetti Warehouse is a family-oriented Italian dining chain operating five restaurants across two states in the U.S.: four situated in Ohio and one in New York (state), alongside an additional takeout-only venue in Texas. Established in 1972 in Dallas, Texas, the brand previously expanded throughout the southern and eastern United States. Each establishment is distinguished by a trolley car dining section, frequently located within restored historic structures, which contributes to its distinctive ambiance.
The former Columbus, Ohio site, inaugurated in 1978, was the chain’s largest both in seating capacity and revenue, accommodating roughly 800 patrons.
In 1998, Consolidated Restaurant Cos., a holding company under private equity firm Cracken, Harkey & Co. L.L.C., acquired Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc. Later, in June 2007, ownership transferred to Frandeli, Inc., an investment firm based in Los Angeles.
The Old Spaghetti Factory, launched in 1969, operates with a comparable concept; additionally, Houston’s Warehouse 72 is part of the Spaghetti Warehouse portfolio.
Dallas, Texas (closed)
The inaugural Dallas restaurant began operations in 1972 within the West End neighborhood. The venue occupied a building constructed in 1891 that once served as a pillow factory and featured unique interior elements such as brass bed headboards and an original East Dallas trolley car dining area. A notable highlight included the headboard and footboard from a bed formerly owned by Stephen F. Austin, repurposed into an eight-seat booth. After nearly five decades of service, this original location ceased operations in October 2019. Significant antiques like the confessional booth and Stephen F. Austin’s headboard were moved to the Arlington branch prior to its closure; other furnishings were sold through an online auction.
Austin, Texas (closed)
Opened in 1975 as the chain’s third site, the Austin restaurant was housed in a building dating back to 1902 that previously functioned as both a grocery warehouse and a Prohibition-era brothel. The interior showcased remarkable pieces including chandeliers from New York City’s Penn Station, the original ticket booth from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and an East Dallas trolley car. Structural deficiencies led to this location’s closure on April 23, 2011.
Columbus, Ohio (Reopening Fall 2023 at New Site)
The Columbus restaurant was the first Spaghetti Warehouse established outside Texas and represented the fifth overall for the chain. Opening its doors in April 1978 inside a former ice house built in 1891, it remains the largest facility at 20,000 square feet and consistently ranks highest in weekly sales. Positioned within Columbus’s Franklinton district near downtown, it has become a local icon featuring distinctive artifacts such as two church confessional booths, a German elevator from the 1920s adapted for dining purposes, the original steam engine from its ice house era, and a moose head reportedly hunted by President Theodore Roosevelt.
On March 18, 2022, following a partial collapse of the roof caused by failure of a primary roof joist, the three-story Columbus building was evacuated. Although no injuries were reported, the structure was closed pending further evaluation and repairs. The site contained seven dining rooms with seating capacity for up to 800 guests and had undergone renovations as recently as 2021.
On April 11, 2023, management announced plans to reopen during Fall 2023 at a new smaller location measuring approximately 6,000 square feet with seating for around 200 patrons inside Highpoint on Columbus Commons luxury apartments. This downtown venue situates the restaurant near government buildings, theaters, and commercial centers. The relocation intends to update both the menu and dining environment while preserving cherished elements such as the signature trolley car. The transfer status of other original artifacts remains unconfirmed.
Akron, Ohio
Established in 1992, the Akron venue occupies a historic warehouse once owned by the B.F. Goodrich Company, situated near its previous headquarters and tire manufacturing facility. Constructed in the 1870s, the building pays homage to Akron’s heritage as a center of the tire industry, showcasing memorabilia from prominent local rubber manufacturers such as Goodrich Corporation, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, General Tire, and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Distinctive interior features include a 20-foot chandelier originally from the Dunes Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, alongside vintage arcade machines, antique furnishings, and seating arrangements inside a restored hotel elevator and a former Akron streetcar. The site capitalizes on its rich historical context to enhance its customer appeal.
Memphis, Tennessee (closed)
Operating for three decades before its closure in November 2017, the Memphis establishment was located in a warehouse dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. It incorporated historic artifacts such as an original downtown trolley and elements salvaged from the demolished Memphis Union Station. The station is historically significant for being the arrival point of Elvis Presley upon his return from military duty in 1960, highlighting this location’s deep cultural connections to Memphis’s heritage.
Houston, Texas (closed)
Launched in 1973 as the company’s second-largest venue after Columbus, Ohio, the Houston restaurant featured two levels of dining and utilized trolley seating during lunch hours. It ceased operations after sustaining extensive flood damage caused by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. The site was later reopened in August 2019 under the name Warehouse 72/Butcher's Plates & Pizza at the Marq*E Entertainment Center, no longer affiliated with the original brand but continuing to offer takeout options due to persistent customer interest. The initial downtown location was eventually transformed into McIntyre's bar, reflecting shifting trends within Houston’s hospitality market.
Ybor City, Tampa, Florida (closed)
Situated in the historic Ybor Factory Building’s former tobacco warehouse—once recognized as the largest cigar factory worldwide—the Tampa outlet featured exposed original brickwork and a replica Ybor City streetcar within its dining area. Announced for closure on March 4, 2016, BLD Brands extended operations by an additional year while exploring alternative locations. Nevertheless, by October 2, 2016, the restaurant permanently shut down following unsuccessful attempts to preserve or relocate the structure.
Little Rock, Arkansas (closed)
Inaugurated on October 14, 1990, this location was housed within the historic Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway passenger station dating back to 1901. Representing the company’s most expensive renovation project at that time, it featured a 1924 Pullman railcar from the Cotton Belt Railroad. Additionally, Spaghetti Warehouse acquired the adjacent Alexander George antebellum mansion—formerly serving as a Rock Island division headquarters. Despite efforts with local preservation groups, the mansion was demolished in 1994 due to safety issues. The slow pace of downtown redevelopment contributed to this site’s closure on February 4, 1996. Today, the former station is incorporated into the Clinton Presidential Center complex.
Norfolk, Virginia (no longer operating)
From 1991 until its closure in 2001, the Norfolk establishment was housed in the Southern Bagging Company building, which earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Tulsa, Oklahoma (no longer operating)
The Tulsa branch began serving customers in 1992 within the Brady Arts District but ceased operations in late March 2017.
Syracuse, New York
Established in 1989, the Syracuse venue is located in a structure originally constructed in 1909 by L.B. Doman for his Amphion Piano Player Company. Before becoming part of the restaurant chain, the building functioned as both a pocketbook manufacturing site and a bakery warehouse.
Active locations
Active To-Go Only location
- Houston, Texas, situated at Warehouse 72
Former locations
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Marietta, Georgia
- Aurora, Illinois
- Elk Grove Village, Illinois
- South Bend, Indiana
- Northampton, Massachusetts
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Buffalo, New York
- Rochester, New York
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Various Texas locations including Abilene, Addison, Arlington, Austin, Bedford, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Mesquite, Plano, San Antonio, Stafford, Willowbrook
- Glen Allen, Virginia
- Newport News, Virginia
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Richmond, Virginia
- Seattle, Washington
See also
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Restaurants established in 1972
- Italian-American cuisine
- Italian-American culture in Texas
- Italian restaurants
- Regional restaurant chains in the United States
- Restaurants in Dallas
- American companies established in 1972
- 1972 establishments in Texas
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment