Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill

Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill was a fast-casual restaurant brand founded in Chicago in 1995. The concept centered on made-to-order Asian-inspired stir fry, with guests customizing their meals at a signature Market Bar before chefs prepared dishes to order. This interactive approach, combined with a menu blending Chinese, Thai, and other Asian flavors, helped Stir Crazy stand out in the growing fast-casual segment during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The brand expanded steadily, reaching a peak of 14 locations across Illinois, Florida, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin by 2012. In 2013, Stir Crazy was acquired by Flat Out Crazy Restaurant Group, which also owned Flat Top Grill. This acquisition marked a notable milestone, as it brought the brand under the umbrella of a larger multi-concept operator.

Over the following years, Stir Crazy faced increasing competition in the Asian fast-casual space and encountered operational challenges. By 2019, most locations had closed, and the final restaurants shuttered in early 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the process. As of November 2025, Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill is no longer in operation, and its website and social media accounts remain inactive.

Stir Crazy is remembered for its mid-sized restaurant footprints in high-traffic suburban retail centers and its broad appeal to both dine-in and takeout customers. The brand played an early role in popularizing customizable stir-fry formats in the United States. Today, its former sites are occupied by a mix of independent restaurants and other chains, and the parent company has shifted its focus to other concepts.