When Fazoli’s opened in McMinnville, the pasta-bilities felt endless.
Now, just four years later, the Italian fast-food spot on N. Chancery Street is preparing to close its doors for good. According to owner and property owner Bill Townsend, the restaurant will shut down by Sunday, March 8, possibly sooner if supplies run out.
A Short but Appreciated Run
Despite strong reviews — reportedly around 4.7 out of 5 dating back to opening — Townsend says the decision ultimately came down to low sales and slim profits.
“It will close one day this week, depending on when we start to run out of supplies,” he shared. “No matter what, we will be closed by this Sunday.”
For many in McMinnville, the news came as a surprise. Customers quickly took to social media to share memories:
Weekly visits with family
Extra breadsticks packed up to take home
DoorDash orders that became go-to comfort meals
Friendly managers who made regulars feel welcome
Four years may not be decades, but in a small town, it’s long enough to become part of the routine.
A Challenging Location
Townsend also noted that the building itself has not had the easiest history. Before Fazoli’s, the space housed Bojangles, which lasted less than three years, followed by Grandey’s, which remained for about a year.
The restaurant sits near high-traffic neighbors like Sonic, Captain D’s, and Dairy Queen — businesses that appear to be thriving. That contrast makes the closure even more puzzling for ownership.
What’s Next for the Spot?
Bill Townsend, who has decades of restaurant experience and currently owns three Captain D’s locations (though not the McMinnville one), says he isn’t done with the property.
At 73 years old, he’s not interested in signing another long-term franchise agreement. Instead, he’s developing a new restaurant concept for the space — one that won’t involve a franchise contract that locks him in for 20 years.
Details aren’t finalized yet, but he says an announcement could come within about a month.
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The End of the Breadstick Era (For Now)
Fazoli’s carved out a niche in McMinnville for fast, affordable Italian comfort food — from loaded baked spaghetti and classic subs to their famous unlimited breadsticks and cinnamon swirl bites.
Now, that chapter closes.
For the regulars who had “their table,” for the families who made it part of their weekly routine, and for the customers who simply appreciated a quick plate of pasta after a long day — this one will sting a little.
If you have a favorite memory from Fazoli’s in McMinnville, share it below. Small-town restaurants may come and go, but the routines they create have a way of sticking with us.
