Romano's adds new pizza line. Sorta.

When it comes to serving their restaurant guests, the bigwigs at Romano's Macaroni Grill stand by the old adage: Go big or go home. And go big is exactly what they've done with their latest menu offering. In fact, it's so big, you could even call it fat – as in Fatbreads™, new specialty pizzas that elevate the traditional flatbread pizza by delivering a bigger crust, more ingredients and larger flavor. The new Fatbreads are available now at participating Romano's Macaroni Grill locations nationwide.

Inspiration for these new menu offerings came after Romano's Macaroni Grill Executive Chef Antonio Iocchi traveled to his hometown in Italy to search for "the next big thing."

"In my hometown, crust is celebrated," Iocchi said. "Italian chefs are still baking fat, artisanal, irregular pizzas in open-hearth ovens that celebrate the art of dough making and baking. That's why I wanted to create a big, fat crust for Fatbreads."

Many consider crust to be the key component in pizza. A recent survey from The Pizza Consumer Trend Report from Technomic indicates more than 77 percent of guests cited crust as highly important in creating a delicious pizza. Fatbreads are made with Italian 00 flour, which was selected to create the signature pizza crust texture, and baked to a perfect golden brown in an open-hearth brick oven. Each Fatbread is served with a side of arrabiatta sauce for dipping any extra crust.

While traditional flavors such as Cheese or Pepperoni are available (starting at only $7 for a limited time), guests also can choose between several hearty Fatbreads filled with fresh ingredients, fresh mozzarella or various meats — Smashed Meatball (with smashed beef and veal meatballs), Farmhouse (butcher-chopped bacon, prosciutto and sauteed spinach), Pesto Primavera (zucchini, roasted tomatoes, bell peppers and basil) and the classic Margherita (bruschetta tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil).

To promote the new Fatbreads, Romano's Macaroni Grill has launched a non-traditional television commercial, with their spin of a popular 1990's rap song. The spots will run nationally through October 12 and can be viewed here http://youtu.be/S6RYatSH-5Q.

Fatbreads are available now for dine-in or to-go at participating Romano's Macaroni Grill locations nationwide now through October 26.

About Romano's Macaroni Grill®

Part of Ignite Restaurant Group's (IRG) portfolio of restaurants, Romano's Macaroni Grill serves Italian favorites such as handcrafted pastas and lunch and dinner entrees inspired by the Italian countryside. With locations worldwide, the restaurant blends Italian traditions with progressive culinary inspiration from all regions of Italy and the U.S. An extensive wine list and the chain's unique honor wine system finish out the experience in this polished casual atmosphere. For more information, visit www.macaronigrill.com.

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