Nero Lab's dream shatters: Eur eviction, Wall Street location shut.What happened to Made in Italy?

VINCENZO PEZZILLI-JOHN PHILIPS

24 February 2026

Nero Lab restaurant before the eviction

ROME – The life of the Nero Lab restaurant inside the Trump Building on Wall Street lasted just two months. As reported by Eater on June 6, the closure was sudden and, to date, Yelp reports the location as permanently closed. The brand, with reported debts to Eur Spa, a public body and with the patronage of the Fratelli' d'Italia party, is now in the spotlight for a much more complex story. Not only has the New York showcase closed its doors, but the Rome Eur restaurant has been evicted, raising doubts about the resilience of the entire chain.

The project, presented as the flagship of Made in Italy Roman-style catering, had been supported by important partners: the support of the family office that owns the Italian Burger King and the political blessing of Italian government forces. It was not enough. The original plan called for the opening in Downtown Manhattan in 2020, then postponed to 2025, perhaps waiting for a more favorable political climate.

The stated goal was to open 10 locations in New York by the end of the year.

It would be easy to point the finger at Fratelli d'Italia or against public support for the operation. But it is not the first case in which similar initiatives, sponsored by more political parties, struggle to take off abroad. The model of the "Made in Italy restaurant chain" is struggling to grow. Despite Italy receiving the UNESCO heritage award for its fabled cuisine, there seem to be no tangible positive effects on the catering industry.

Just look at Eataly: despite the success of the brand, it has gone through major renovations and lost millions over the years. Maybe the market has changed, or maybe the industry has never stopped following its eternal rules.

Until the 90s, catering was a family business, of small entrepreneurs. Then came investors, investment banks, chains and franchises. A bubble has been created: inflated commercial real estate, premises opened and closed quickly, ambitious but fragile projects.

Now the market is correcting. The lesson is as old as the profession -- a successful business is built with humility, dedication and a long time.

You have to be present, own the walls or have a sustainable rent, and put your face on it. The new business, perhaps, is moving back into the hands of the people.

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