Buca di Beppo originally opened in downtown San Diego in 1999 at 705 Sixth Avenue near East Village, where it operated for over two decades. The closure of that location was followed by the announcement of its relocation to the more centrally located Gaslamp Quarter, a move expected to increase pedestrian traffic and allow for an expansion of its in-house virtual restaurant business. Buca di Beppo also operates locations in Mira Mesa and Carlsbad.
Founded in 1993 in Minneapolis, MN, Buca di Beppo built its brand around family-style Americanized Italian dining. In 2008, the chain was acquired by Planet Hollywood's parent company for $28.5 million. Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl played a significant role in expanding Buca di Beppo’s footprint and integrating it with celebrity-backed ghost kitchen brands like Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen and MrBeast Burger.
Despite its long-standing presence in the restaurant industry, Buca di Beppo has faced financial difficulties in recent years. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August 2024, citing rising food and labor costs, declining traffic, and liquidity challenges. As part of its restructuring, the chain closed 20 underperforming locations, reducing its footprint from 64 units in 2023 to 44 in mid-2024.
Buca di Beppo was ultimately sold to its stalking horse bidder, Main Street Capital Corporation, for $27 million after no other qualified bids emerged. Main Street Capital had originally provided the company a $47 million loan in 2015 and stepped in with $36.3 million in debtor-in-possession financing to keep operations afloat during bankruptcy proceedings.
As the chain transitions under new ownership, it hopes to improve operations and enhance its dining experience. Buca di Beppo's financial struggles are part of a broader trend in the restaurant industry, with several major chains - including Red Lobster, Rubio’s, and TGI Fridays - also filing for bankruptcy in 2024 amid rising operational costs and post-pandemic challenges.
The new San Diego location in the Gaslamp Quarter will have unique themed rooms signature to other Buca locations such as the Poster Room and Pope Room. The restaurant will serve a menu of Italian-American comfort foods.
Buca di Beppo is now open at 440 J Street in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. For more information, visit dineatbuca.com and check out the current menu below.
Originally published on February 19, 2025.
