Tony Roma’s Guam to reopen soon under new ownership

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

News about a long-standing restaurant shutting its doors can be heart-rending. But sometimes, sad stories have happy endings.

More than two months after bidding goodbye and ending its 40 years of operations on the island, Tony Roma's Guam is back in business under new ownership.

Boonies Barkade N Bistro LLC has acquired Tony Roma’s from the former franchise holder, WDI International Inc. Both establishments are located at the Royal Orchid Hotel in Tumon.

Nathalie Lang, who now co-owns Tony Roma’s along with her husband Dennis Lang, said the restaurant is expected to reopen its doors by mid-December.

She said Tony Roma’s will operate a curbside service for Thanksgiving to serve holiday platters pending the grand reopening.

WDI International shuttered Tony Roma’s Guam on Aug. 31, citing stagnant tourism that had led to a slump in business for the dining sector that caters to tourists. Guam tourism is slowly recovering, but it is still significantly behind pre-pandemic levels.

Boonies' acquisition of Tony Roma's indicates the Langs' optimism.

Nathalie Lang said Boonies began its negotiations with WDI International and the Royal Orchid management after Tony Roma’s shuttered.

The Langs opened Boonies Barcade N Bistro in March 2023. The barcade is a sprawling entertainment venue that features a mini-bowling room, a game room, and a private karaoke room.

“This exciting acquisition marks a new chapter for both beloved establishments, promising to bring the legendary dining experience of Tony Roma’s together with the fun, energetic atmosphere of Boonies,” the company announced on its Facebook page.

“We are working hard behind the scenes to prepare for a spectacular grand opening that you won’t want to miss. We’ll be announcing the dates, special events and new details very soon," the announcement reads.

Founded in 1972, Tony Roma's is an American casual dining chain restaurant specializing in baby back ribs and onion loaf. As of 2024, Tony Roma's has 86 locations worldwide, with only 10 in the United States and the rest spread across six continents. 

“We're renovating and doing a lot of facelifts in the main dining area,” Nathalie Lang said.

While the old Tony Roma’s had a 200-seat capacity, the ongoing renovation includes expansion. “We are adding another 50 seats in the atrium,” Nathalie Lang said.

She said most of the former managers and employees are rejoining Tony Roma's.

Besides completing the renovation, the new management is also awaiting clearance from the Alcohol Beverage Control.

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