PORTLAND Ore. OSF International, parent of the Old Spaghetti Factory brand, in March is set to launch a new concept called Blue Sage Cafe in the Portland suburb of West Linn.
Blue Sage will have an American Southwestern theme and offer “flexible dining” that falls between fast casual and full service. Diners will order first, pick a table and servers will bring their meal, with payment as they exit, said Chris Hein, OSF’s vice president of marketing.
Designed as a neighborhood restaurant where families can grab a quick meal or linger, the 125-seat restaurant will serve wine, beer and margaritas, OSF said. The targeted check average is about $15. A second unit is scheduled to open in the Portland suburb of Lake Oswego in mid-2008.
The 38-unit Old Spaghetti Factory chain includes 27 company-operated namesake units and one Dussini Mediterranean Bistro in San Diego. OSF recently sold four Old Spaghetti Factory locations to the company’s sole franchise group, which is owned by cousins of the concept’s founder, Guss Dussin.
Dussin’s brother-in-law Michael Dariotis Sr. was part owner of the original location, which opened in Portland in 1969. But Dariotis later moved his family to Sacramento, Calif., to open the first franchise unit.
Dussin’s son Chris took over as president of OSF International in 1997. The Dariotis family now operates 10 locations under the franchise company California Spaghetti Restaurants Inc., which is owned by Dariotis’ sons Chris, Michael Jr., George and their mother, Georgia.
