Roni’s Mac Bar: The Viral Macaroni and Cheese Sensation
Roni’s Mac Bar, known for its viral macaroni and cheese, plans to add a location in Wylie.
Although the project is still in the early stages, the team behind Roni’s Mac Bar said it should open before the end of 2025.
What is Roni’s Mac Bar?
Roni’s Mac Bar sells build-your-own mac and cheese plates in an approach similar to Chipotle’s. Dishes start with a base of pasta mixed with cheese, and then customers add toppings such as vegetables or meat. Once the dish is ready, it is placed in the oven and delivered hot.
The Rise to Fame
Bo Mello, Roni’s Mac Bar’s director of marketing, said the attention the concept has received have been “kind of crazy.”
Restaurant News
“We started in a food hall in Waco, and blew up on social media,” Mello said.
Roni’s Mac Bar has videos with over 30 million views on TikTok.(Roni’s Mac Bar courtesy)
The Power of Social Media
Roni’s first viral video, simply showing one of the founders, Frank Senese, preparing a mac and cheese order, received millions and millions of views. But it went viral for all the wrong reasons.
“The first viral video got over 15 million views but the problem was that all the comments were bad,” said Mello. “They were all angry and trashing the food, like this doesn’t look good, and all that kind of stuff.”
But the Roni’s team capitalized on the momentum, even if initially negative, to bring people in the door.
Expansion and Growth
Frank and co-founder Mary Senese already knew what social media could do for a business. The pair previously felt its with their edible cookie dough spot, Dough Re Mi. It was part of the reason they chose to open the first Roni’s in 2022 next door to the cookie dough business.
Roni’s now has over 800,000 followers on TikTok, 500,000 subscribers on YouTube and 284,000 on Instagram.
There are also now nine locations of the restaurant. The founders envisioned franchising Roni’s eventually, but with the early internet success, expansion accelerated.
“By the end of this year, we should hopefully have around 20 locations open around the U.S.,” Mello said. “Next year, we’ll expand that a little bit more, and then two or three years from now, we’ll start really expanding.”
Locations and Future Plans
Roni’s Mac Bar has locations in College Station, Fort Cavazos, Harker Heights, Lubbock, and Waco, Texas, as well as in Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, and Utah. Roni’s in Wylie is expected to open in late 2025. ronismacbar.com.
Conclusion
Roni’s Mac Bar has become a viral sensation, with its unique build-your-own mac and cheese concept and massive social media following. With plans to expand to 20 locations by the end of the year and more in the future, this macaroni and cheese bar is sure to become a favorite among foodies and comfort food lovers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Roni’s Mac Bar:
Q: What is Roni’s Mac Bar? A: Roni’s Mac Bar is a restaurant that sells build-your-own mac and cheese plates.
Q: Where is Roni’s Mac Bar located? A: Roni’s Mac Bar has locations in several states, including Texas, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, and Utah.
Q: How many followers does Roni’s Mac Bar have on social media? A: Roni’s Mac Bar has over 800,000 followers on TikTok, 500,000 subscribers on YouTube, and 284,000 followers on Instagram.
Q: What is the expected opening date for the Wylie location? A: The Wylie location is expected to open in late 2025.
