The Old Spaghetti Factory
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | January 10, 1969 in Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Founder | Guss Dussin |
| Headquarters | Portland , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada, Japan |
| Products | Italian-American cuisine |
Number of employees | 3500 (2003) |
| Website | oldspaghettifactory |
The Old Spaghetti Factory is a casual dining chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine, with establishments located in the United States, Canada, and Japan. In the U.S., the restaurants are under the ownership of OSF International, which is based in Portland, Oregon. Meanwhile, Canadian outlets are operated by The Old Spaghetti Factory Canada Ltd. In 2003, the U.S. division reported revenue of $105 million. As of 2024, the brand runs 43 locations spanning 13 states and Japan. The company previously ventured into Europe with a single restaurant in Hamburg, Germany, from 1983 until 1993; this remained its sole European presence and was closed due to elevated labor expenses.
History
The chain was established on January 10, 1969, in Portland by businessman Guss Dussin. By January 1994, OSF International employed roughly 4,200 individuals across operations in the United States and Japan. Canadian operations function independently and are headquartered in Vancouver.
In 1983, OSF inaugurated its 20th outlet in Hamburg, Germany; however, this European expansion lasted only ten years because of profitability difficulties caused by high labor costs. Sales for the U.S. company increased from $72 million in 1993 to an estimated $90 million by 1998. The Spokane, Washington location, which opened in 1974, had become a local landmark by the mid-1990s.
On the international front, an Australian branch opened in Sydney’s historic Metcalfe Bond Stores in 1973 and gained early popularity, attracting prominent guests including The Rolling Stones. By the late 1980s, it was marketed as a family-friendly establishment.
By 2003, OSF managed 45 restaurants across 14 states and Japan with approximately 3,500 employees. The company’s approach centered on providing full-service dining at fast-food price points within unique interiors featuring Tiffany lamps and refurbished trolley cars—distinctive elements that gave it a competitive edge. However, as consumer preferences shifted toward low-carbohydrate diets, OSF experienced its first decline in same-store sales and began incorporating low-carb menu items without undertaking major menu revisions.
Decor and locations
Numerous Old Spaghetti Factory restaurants are situated in repurposed warehouses, former train stations, and other historic buildings. Their interior design includes antique pieces such as chandeliers and brass headboards repurposed as booth backs. A hallmark feature is a centrally positioned streetcar that contains seating for guests.
Ownership of U.S. locations remains with OSF International based in Portland, Oregon, whereas Canadian outlets are operated by The Old Spaghetti Factory Canada Ltd., which currently runs 15 restaurants throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
The number of U.S. restaurants has fluctuated: there were 30 locations in the United States and nine in Japan as of 1993; by 2003, the count increased to 45 sites across 14 states plus Japan. Presently, the U.S. network includes 43 restaurants distributed among states such as Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Japanese outlets located in Nagoya (closed 2013), Kobe, and Kawagoe (closed 2009) have ceased operations. The downtown Seattle restaurant—opened in 1970 as the chain’s second oldest location—closed in December 2016 following the sale of its building; however, historic materials from this site were preserved for incorporation into a new structure planned on the same site for completion in 2025.
The Nashville, Tennessee restaurant on Lower Broadway was destroyed during the Christmas Day bombing in 2020. Although reconstruction was initially planned, the landlord terminated the lease prematurely, preventing its reopening.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Restaurant chains in the United States
- 1969 establishments in Oregon
- Restaurants established in 1969
- Restaurant chains in Canada
- Restaurants in Japan
- Restaurants in Portland, Oregon
- American companies founded in 1969
- Italian-American culture in Oregon
- Italian restaurants in the United States
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- American companies established in 1969
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment