The Food Fight Is Not Over: 10 Must-Visit Restaurants And The Group's Major New April 2025 Opening In Madison, WI

The Food Fight Restaurant Group, a cornerstone of the Madison, Wisconsin, dining scene for over three decades, is not slowing down its expansion or innovation as of December 2025. This independent restaurant powerhouse, which began with a single diner, has grown into a family of over 15 unique and diverse establishments that define the city's culinary landscape, from casual brunch spots to upscale Italian and steak houses. The group continues to solidify its reputation for providing consistent quality and memorable dining experiences, a strategy that has kept them fresh and relevant for a new generation of Madison diners.

Founded on a vision of combining creative dining with smart business, Food Fight has successfully navigated the volatile restaurant industry, continuously adapting its concepts to suit the evolving tastes of the Wisconsin community. The group’s latest venture, a highly anticipated opening right across from the Overture Center for the Arts, highlights their commitment to prime locations and innovative dining concepts, marking a major milestone for the group in early 2025.

The Architects of Madison's Culinary Empire: Food Fight Group Biography & Key Entities

The Food Fight Restaurant Group’s enduring success is rooted in the partnership of its founders and the strength of its current leadership team. Understanding the key players provides essential context for the group's diverse portfolio and business strategy.

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• Founders: Monty Schiro and Peder Moren.
  • Monty Schiro: A respected restaurateur who first gained acclaim with the original Monty's Blue Plate Diner.
  • Peder Moren: A local real estate investor who partnered with Schiro to combine creative vision with strategic business acumen.
• Founding Year: 1994, though the group traces its roots back to Monty's Blue Plate Diner, which opened in the early 1990s.
• Headquarters: Monona, Wisconsin.
• Current Scope: Over 15 unique restaurants across Madison, Middleton, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• Key Management (Current):
  • Kevin Henry: Chief Operating Officer (C.O.O.) and Chief Financial Officer (C.F.O.), leading the strategic direction and upcoming projects.
  • Other Leaders: The management team includes Tom Ray, Ben Brady, Caitlin Suemnicht, Lisa Loup, Jordan Bright, CC Jacob, and Alex Felland, who oversee various aspects of the extensive operations.
• Catering Division: Catering a Fresco, which is wholly owned by the partners and serves as the exclusive caterer for the Overture Center for the Arts.

The 10 Essential Food Fight Restaurants Defining the Madison Dining Scene (2025)

The Food Fight Group has built its legacy on offering a diverse range of dining experiences, ensuring there is a concept for nearly every palate and occasion. From iconic diners to high-end Italian, this list represents the core of their Madison portfolio as of late 2025.

1. Monty's Blue Plate Diner: The original foundation of the group, this classic diner is a beloved institution famous for its comfort food, all-day breakfast, and homemade pies.
2. Cento: An upscale Italian concept known for its sophisticated atmosphere and refined dishes, including house-made pasta and wood-fired pizzas, placing it firmly in the Madison WI fine dining category.
3. Johnny Delmonico's: The group's premier steakhouse, offering a classic, high-end experience with a focus on prime cuts of steak and an extensive wine list.
4. The Coopers Tavern: Located on the Capitol Square, this popular spot is known for its extensive craft beer selection (a major LSI entity) and elevated pub fare, including gourmet burgers and poutine.
5. Bassett Street Brunch Club: A vintage-themed diner specializing in elevated comfort foods, signature homemade donuts, and, of course, a top-tier brunch experience in downtown Madison.
6. Bar Corallini: A more casual, neighborhood Italian restaurant specializing in simple, high-quality Italian food and a vibrant bar scene.
7. Canteen: A vibrant, casual spot offering Mexican-inspired street food, specializing in tacos, burritos, and craft cocktails.
8. Aldo's Cafe: A go-to for coffee, light fare, and a quick, quality breakfast or lunch, often serving as a community hub.
9. Everly: Known for its bright, airy atmosphere and health-conscious, globally inspired menu, focusing on fresh ingredients and unique flavor combinations.
10. HWY1: A concept that focuses on regional American cuisine, offering a menu that changes seasonally to reflect the best local ingredients.

The Future of Food Fight: New Strategies and the April 2025 Overture Center Opening

The Food Fight Restaurant Group maintains its position as Madison’s largest independent restaurant group by continually seeking new strategies to stay fresh and respond to the demands of the modern diner. This forward-thinking approach is best exemplified by their major upcoming project, which is set to become a key downtown destination in 2025.

Anticipated 2025 Expansion: The Overture Center Project

The most significant piece of current news for the Food Fight Group is a planned April 2025 opening for a new, unnamed restaurant concept. This prime location is situated directly across from the Overture Center for the Arts, a strategic move that capitalizes on the high foot traffic and pre- and post-show dining demand of the city's premier arts venue. While the restaurant's name and specific cuisine remain under wraps as of December 2025, the location strongly suggests it will be a high-volume, polished concept designed to appeal to theater-goers and downtown residents alike.

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This development is a clear sign that the Food Fight Group is investing heavily in the continued vitality of the downtown Madison area. Given their track record with Cento and Johnny Delmonico's, expectations are high for a concept that blends sophistication with accessibility, further enhancing the Madison WI dining scene.

Commitment to Community and Convenience

Beyond new construction, the group is focused on enhancing the customer experience through convenience and community engagement. Their universal gift card program is a crucial entity that ties all their diverse restaurants together, offering diners flexibility and serving as a popular local gift item. As of late 2025, the annual holiday gift card sale remains a major draw, offering a bonus certificate with every purchase, a strategy that drives traffic across all their locations.

Furthermore, their in-house catering arm, Catering a Fresco, is a major operational entity, managing all banquet and catering positions for the Overture Center, demonstrating a deep, integrated relationship with a vital city institution. This synergy allows them to maintain a consistent presence in Madison's cultural and event landscape.

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The Food Fight Legacy of Diversity

The Food Fight Restaurant Group’s enduring legacy is its commitment to diversity—not just in cuisine, but in atmosphere and price point. From the casual, family-friendly atmosphere of Monty's Blue Plate Diner to the refined elegance of Cento, the group offers a culinary journey through Madison. This strategy of operating a 'family of restaurants' rather than a chain allows each location to maintain a unique identity while benefiting from the group's centralized business expertise and management team, including COO/CFO Kevin Henry. This balance of individual character and corporate efficiency is the secret weapon that has kept the Food Fight Restaurant Group at the forefront of the Madison, WI, culinary world for over 30 years.