Chef John Franchetti and his wife, Gesine, will close their beloved German and Italian restaurant Franchettis’ in Santa Rosa at the end of December, with an initial Press Democrat/Sonoma Magazine report about the impending closure drawing criticism from members of a popular nearby church.
The Promise Center church is in the process of purchasing the building that houses the restaurant, according to its pastor, Chadwick King. On Wednesday, King questioned statements from John Franchetti on Monday that attributed some of the restaurant’s business problems to parking and other issues related to the church’s growth.
Regardless, the planned closure is “so bittersweet,” said John Franchetti, who has been a champion for local food and restaurants for decades. Franchetti was a partner in Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar when it opened in Santa Rosa in 2009 and Tra Vigne restaurant in St. Helena.
Franchettis’ opened as Rosso Eventi + Rosticerria in 2014 (1229 N. Dutton, Santa Rosa) and focused on rotisserie chicken and hand-tossed pizzas cooked to just-blistered perfection in the 850-degree oven. Franchetti and Rosso co-owner Kevin Cronin split in 2015, after which the menu changed to include signature entrées like ‘Chetti’s spicy chicken, polenta and woodfired vegetables, as well as sandwiches and breakfast items. The restaurant changed its name to Franchettis’ Gasthaus + Biergarten in 2019.
According to Franchetti, the restaurant, which is located in a business park, faced challenges during church services when parishioners’ cars took up much of the parking lot, discouraging existing restaurant patrons, said Franchetti. The church now has five services per weekend, and Franchetti said he hoped parishioners would be a built-in audience.
Pastor King, however, said The Promise Center had worked hard to accommodate the neighboring restaurant. “We bent over backwards every weekend fighting to protect 30 (parking) spots for the restaurant and its clients,” he said.
According to King, the Franchettis approached The Promise Center last summer about acquiring the restaurant business and taking over the remainder of their five-year lease.
“They mentioned wanting the church to carry on with a loving place for food and fellowship that would continue bringing people together,” said King.
“Soon after sharing our interest in this opportunity, the owner of the building approached us and asked us if we would be interested in purchasing the entire building. After several conversations and deep consideration, we said yes to both offers,” King added.
“While nothing is perfect, throughout our over eight-year relationship with Franchettis, we have strived to be good neighbors and to help them flourish.”
Reached Wednesday, building owner Darel Hodgson confirmed that a sale of the restaurant building to the church is in the works but has not closed.
On Monday, John Franchetti characterized the relationship with the church as fraught, saying “it’s been a hard thing, and we’ve been vocal about it, but we’re happy to be free of the lease.” On Wednesday, Franchetti’s wife, Gesine, said she wants to put the whole issue behind both parties, noting that the church didn’t push the restaurant out of its lease.
“They did not push us out, we came to an agreement that suits both of us,” she said.
King said that he wishes the best for John, Gesine and their employees.
“We will miss their food and their hospitality,” he said.
CLARIFICATION (Nov. 27, 2024, 4:30 p.m.): An earlier version of this story didn’t fully address the circumstances under which the Franchettis’ restaurant lease might change. This story updates with comments from the church and the building’s owner.