Bruce Swisshelm Jr. is behind Springfield's six-month-old Romano's Macaroni Grill and will open a second location at Branson Landing in August.

Macaroni Grill on tap for Branson Landing

Dee Dee Jacobs

Posted online June 17, 2008 | 10:25 am

The local franchisee for Romano’s Macaroni Grill is planning a second southwest Missouri location – this time, in Branson.

Bruce Swisshelm Jr., director of operations for Macaroni Grill franchisee Swisshelm Group, says the restaurant will open in mid-August at Branson Landing, in the former spot of Piztros Pizza Bistro Bar, which closed earlier this spring after less than a year. The Italian eatery will fill 8,000 square feet, plus a 2,000-square-foot patio.

Springfield-based Swisshelm Group opened its first Macaroni Grill late last year at 1286 E. Battlefield Road. Next on the docket was a location in Arkansas, Swisshelm said, until Branson Landing caught their attention.

“We were all gung ho to go to northwest Arkansas next, and then this Landing opportunity came available, and we just didn’t think we could pass it up,” Swisshelm said, pointing to Branson Landing’s high-volume traffic.

Swisshelm said the franchisee now will look to the Rogers or Fayetteville areas in Arkansas for a third location.[[In-content Ad]]