Dariotis Family Buys Four More Old Spaghetti Factory Locations

Business Wire, Jan 30, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Dariotis family of Sacramento, owners of six Old Spaghetti Factory franchises in northern California, has bought four more locations. Chris Dariotis, one of three brothers running the company, reports his family has taken over locations in Fresno, San Jose, Rancho Cucamonga and San Marcos.

The acquisitions were company-owned restaurants operated by Old Spaghetti Factory in Portland, Ore. Chris Dussin, a cousin of the Dariotis brothers and president of OSF International, offered the stores to the Dariotises last month. "It was a family sale," said Chris Dariotis. "We had an opportunity to take over thriving concerns, and that appealed to us more than building new restaurants from ground up."

In 1969, Guss Dussin conceived the concept of a family-style Italian restaurant with low-priced food in a colorful setting. His Old Spaghetti Factory opened in Portland that year. The late Michael Dariotis Sr., whose wife Georgia was the sister of Dussin, was a part-owner of that original Old Spaghetti Factory. Moving his family to Sacramento in 1978, he opened the company's first franchise. The current owners are the sons of Michael Dariotis Sr.--Chris, Michael Jr. and George--and their mother Georgia.

The restaurant in California's capital is housed in a converted Western Pacific Train Depot on J Street. As business boomed, the Dariotises opened five more franchises: in Roseville, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, Concord and Stockton.

Old Spaghetti Factories are situated in massive structures, ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 square feet. They have seating from 350 to 425 patrons. Most buildings have brick walls and extensive woodwork.

The restaurants are known for their unusual decor. Each restaurant is filled with antiques from around the world. In all but the Elk Grove location, these antiques surround the centerpiece, a vintage trolley car, which has been refitted for guest seating.

Main menu items are the Italian staple of spaghetti, plus other pasta-based specialty dishes. While the staff is proud of its freshly made main attractions, they offer more. Other selections include, breast of chicken fettuccine, eggplant parmigiana, shrimp primavera and baked lasagna.

From the beginning, complete lunches and dinners have been priced low, usually under $10. Dinner entrees come complete with green salad, minestrone, a loaf of fresh bread, beverage and dessert of spumoni or vanilla ice cream.

A complete spaghetti dinner with mushroom sauce sells today for $8.95. Highest price on today's dinner list is jumbo crab ravioli at $11.95.

The company had 525 employees before expanding. They now have 875. The busiest locations are San Jose and Rancho Cordova. Chris Dariotis estimates the ten eateries sell 25,000 pounds of pasta a month--and that is counting spaghetti only.

Each restaurant has an ornate bar with cocktail service. Banquets are a big part of the business. Banquet seating runs from 100 to 150 seats at each location.

Old Spaghetti Factory International has grown to 38 outlets in the United States. The Dariotis family now owns ten of the 14 California locations. Doing business as California Spaghetti Restaurants, Inc., the Dariotises have operated the new acquisitions since mid-January. A favorite for youngsters, the Old Spaghetti Factory caters to families and groups.

The Dariotises will celebrate 30 years of business in Sacramento February 19-21 by rolling back dinner prices to 1978 levels at their downtown restaurant. Seven menu items will have original prices. Basic spaghetti dinner will be $2.35. A crowd is expected for the 4 p.m. start each day.

Dariotis new locations:

San Marcos OSF
111 North Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92069
760/471-0155
Square feet: 12,000
Seating: 400
Banquet seating: 120
Opened: 1995
GM: Cheryl Zumaeta

San Jose OSF
51 North San Pedro
San Jose, CA 95110
408/288-7488
Square feet: 11,000
Seating: 350
Banquet seating: 100
Opened: 1972
GM: Lynn Marlow

Rancho Cucamonga OSF
11896 Foothill Blvd.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
909/980-3585
Square feet: 12,000
Seating: 400
Banquet seating: 120
Opened: 1998
GM: Ron Pascua

Fresno OSF
1610 East Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA 93710
559/222-1066
Square feet: 13,000
Seating: 375
Banquet seating: 100
Opened: 1974
GM: Jim Devenpeck