In 2023, the restaurant was featured in a high-stakes makeover episode. The intervention highlighted several critical issues:
The friction between Karen’s rigid approach and Ronald’s personal issues created a high-stress environment that Robert Irvine, the host of Restaurant Impossible , attempted to dismantle to save the business. ronald franco and karen best
The food had become dated, lacking the freshness required to compete with newer local bistros. In 2023, the restaurant was featured in a
Franco Di Roma was a long-standing Italian eatery owned by Ronald Franco Sr. For decades, it was a staple in the Middletown community, known for traditional Italian-American fare. However, as the restaurant aged and competition grew, the business began to struggle under the weight of declining sales and internal family tensions. Franco Di Roma was a long-standing Italian eatery
The strained relationship between Ronald Sr. and his staff, particularly Karen, was seen as a primary barrier to success.
Karen Best served as a manager and a central figure at the restaurant during its most difficult years. Her relationship with Ronald Franco Sr. was a major focal point during their television debut. While she was dedicated to keeping the doors open, her management style was often characterized as "right-fighter" or intolerant by viewers and critics.
