At Grazie Grazie, Substantial Subs Tell a Comeback Story | Eater DC

"What began as a rapid expansion to nearly 20 locations ultimately collapsed after public criticism of my participation in a small business roundtable with President Trump in January 2017 drove sales to nosedive; as I insisted I was apolitical and trying to advocate for my largely immigrant “family” of employees, a private equity firm withdrew millions in investments and the company abruptly closed on September 23, 2018, filing Chapter 7. The brand has since been revived under new ownership, which I view as a mixed but ultimately positive outcome because former employees have jobs again and the closure forced me to hit an internal reset and rethink what I would do differently if I could reopen only one store." - Tim Ebner