Through the 1980s, Franchi's successes of the past two decades permitted him the opportunity to both work closer to home, and choose the length of his engagements.
Despite his age, reviews from this time generally regarded him as being in good physical and vocal form He continued a series of successful concerts, benefits, and tours.
He also received the Italian American of the Year Award in New Orleans at this time.

Beginning on May 9, 1983, he starred in the Tony Award-winning musical Nine and devoted 18 months to it, to generally favorable reviews.

Later, in the 1980s, Franchi continued to perform at a number of popular venues in the United States.
He intended to retire after his work on Nine,, although he continued to appear in Chicago for his large fan-base there in 1985 and 1986, as well as other various places in the United States in 1987 and 1988.
His final Atlantic City appearance was in October 1987 at Trump's Castle.

In 1988, RCA re-issued the compilation album This is Sergio Franchi on CD.
Also in 1988, he visited the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy.
The festival inspired him to produced his own 12-track 1989 album, Encore.
which contained the 1988 Festival winner, "Perdere l'amore," and four more songs never before recorded by him.
Through the 1980s, Franchi's successes of the past two decades permitted him the opportunity to both work closer to home, and choose the length of his engagements. Despite his age, reviews from this time generally regarded him as being in good physical and vocal form He continued a series of successful concerts, benefits, and tours. He also received the Italian American of the Year Award in New Orleans at this time.
Beginning on May 9, 1983, he starred in the Tony Award-winning musical Nine and devoted 18 months to it, to generally favorable reviews.
Later, in the 1980s, Franchi continued to perform at a number of popular venues in the United States. He intended to retire after his work on Nine,, although he continued to appear in Chicago for his large fan-base there in 1985 and 1986, as well as other various places in the United States in 1987 and 1988. His final Atlantic City appearance was in October 1987 at Trump's Castle.
In 1988, RCA re-issued the compilation album This is Sergio Franchi on CD. Also in 1988, he visited the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy. The festival inspired him to produced his own 12-track 1989 album, Encore. which contained the 1988 Festival winner, "Perdere l'amore," and four more songs never before recorded by him.
Sergio Franchi