Jeff Crivello, CEO of BBQ Holdings, confirmed that the acquisition focuses on the assets of the 25 Granite City Food & Brewery units. While the financial details of the deal, awaiting court approval scheduled for February 21, remain undisclosed, the acquisition signals BBQ Holdings’ intent to diversify and expand its footprint in the restaurant industry.
Interestingly, Granite City’s portfolio also included four Cadillac Ranch restaurants. Landry’s Inc., a prominent name in the hospitality sector, has acquired three of these Cadillac Ranch locations. Steve Scheinthal, Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Landry’s, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting the expansion of their casual dining concepts in Pittsburgh, National Harbor, Maryland, and Bloomington, Minnesota, within the Mall of America. The value of the Landry’s deal was also not made public.
Looking ahead, BBQ Holdings envisions leveraging synergies between its existing brands and Granite City Food & Brewery. Crivello mentioned plans to integrate select Famous Dave’s BBQ menu items into Granite City’s offerings, aiming to enhance the dining experience where it aligns with customer preferences. Conversely, Granite City’s acclaimed beers are slated to be featured on Famous Dave’s menus in regions where liquor transportation regulations permit, creating cross-brand appeal.
Despite the change in ownership, BBQ Holdings intends to maintain Granite City Food & Brewery’s existing brand identity and operational model. The focus for the next 60 days will be on evaluating the performance of each Granite City location to determine the optimal number of restaurants to keep operational. This strategic assessment will ensure the long-term viability and success of Granite City under BBQ Holdings.
Founded in 1999 by industry veterans with roots in Champp’s Americana, Granite City Food & Brewery was conceived as a pioneering chain of restaurant-microbreweries. Its innovative concept and execution were recognized in 2007 when it was named an NRN Hot Concept winner, underscoring its impact and appeal within the competitive restaurant landscape.
“This meaningfully accretive acquisition of Granite City Food and Brewery aligns with our strategy to accelerate growth and expansion as a multi-brand restaurant company,” Crivello stated. He emphasized that Granite City’s award-winning status and established concept make it a “fantastic addition to the BBQ Holdings family,” anticipating beneficial synergies across their brand portfolio.
BBQ Holdings has been actively expanding its portfolio with new and diverse restaurant concepts. Recent launches include Clark Crew BBQ in Oklahoma City, celebrated for its competition-style barbecue, and Real Famous BBQ, a counter-service concept in Utah. These additions, alongside smaller-footprint concepts in Minneapolis, demonstrate BBQ Holdings’ dynamic approach to growth and brand diversification. Currently, BBQ Holdings operates 126 locations across its three core brands, and the acquisition of Granite City Food & Brewery further solidifies its position as a significant player in the restaurant industry.
Alt text: Granite City Food & Brewery exterior view showcasing its restaurant facade and branding.
Alt text: Famous Dave’s BBQ logo representing the brand under BBQ Holdings.
Alt text: Interior of Clark Crew BBQ restaurant highlighting its dining ambiance.
Alt text: Real Famous BBQ counter service area depicting its fast-casual dining setup.
