Over fifteen years ago, the first Spaghetti Shop restaurant opened its doors to an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from the people of Terre Haute, IN. Seeing the success they were achieving with their “Fast Italian” concept, the owners proceeded to open 40+ locations over the years that followed in a variety of locations, building styles, demographics and economic climates throughout the Midwest and other parts of the country.

As time went on, however, the system began to experience management problems that resulted in the receding of store growth. Calvin Kirk was a Spaghetti Shop franchisee during this time, and while he saw the entire network of restaurants take a turn for the worse, his restaurants were doing well and he was not ready to give up. He saw the true potential for the Spaghetti Shop concept and understood that under the right management it could grow again.

So in 1999, Calvin purchased the Spaghetti Shop concept and set out to turn the system around. He knew he had a concept that was proven, with competitors such as Fazoli’s (that mimicked the concept The Spaghetti Shop had pioneered) in the picture, so he wanted to build on that and regain the success the Spaghetti Shop concept had experienced in its earlier years.

He began by revamping the concept, developing an entirely updated store look and streamlining older, less efficient processes. Realizing the value of franchising, he also developed a new concentration on franchise relations and a new focus on training, product development, and efficiency of store operations. To further ready the concept for future franchise expansion, Calvin enlisted the help of outside experts in both franchising and restaurant operations to refine business operations. Particular focus was placed on simplifying procedures for product preparation and reducing the initial investment required by franchisees. These innovations, combined with the past success of individual restaurants within The Spaghetti Shop system, have put the company in a good position to move forward in its franchise expansion efforts. Calvin and the other existing Spaghetti Shop franchisees who have been around through all the success and turmoil of years past have been re-energized and are eager to welcome new franchisees into the revitalized Spaghetti Shop system.