Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom is looking to open franchise restaurants in the Akron and Cleveland markets, as part of an aggressive plan to grow the brand throughout the Midwest.
“People are calling us from that community, specifically Cleveland and Akron, and saying, ‘Why isn’t there an Old Chicago here? Why isn’t the “Craft Beer Authority” here in Ohio?’ ” said Mark Belanger, vice president of global franchise operations and development for the privately operated CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries.
CraftWorks, which has headquarters in Broomfield, Colo., and Chattanooga, Tenn., controls the Old Chicago, Gordon Biersch, Rock Bottom and ChopHouse brands.
Old Chicago has more than 100 restaurants in 24 states. It describes itself as a family-friendly restaurant that features handcrafted pizza with a major emphasis on craft beer. The restaurants have many televisions for watching sports and offer nearly 200 different packaged and draft beers.
Old Chicago also has offered a World Beer Tour since 1976, with people drinking 110 beers throughout the year to receive special rewards.
Belanger said Old Chicago likes to collaborate with local and regional brewers and will always have eight to 10 taps devoted to them.
Ohio has been a hotbed for the craft beer industry, including chain bars and restaurants that specialize in craft beer. National and regional brands BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Yard House, Granite City Food & Brewery and World of Beer have opened multiple locations in the state in recent years.
Old Chicago is focusing on Akron and Cleveland now for expansion.
“But certainly as we entertain different franchise candidates, we have talked about the other [Ohio] cities coming,” Belanger said. “Cincinnati and Dayton are high on the list, as well.”
CraftWorks operates a Rock Bottom in Cincinnati and Gordon Biersch in Columbus. Both those locations are brewpubs.
The company wants to open three to five Old Chicago restaurants in its new markets and hopes to identify local franchisees by late next year. Each restaurant employs 35 to 60 workers.
CraftWorks opened 10 Old Chicago restaurants this year and plans to open 15 to 18 next year.
The company reported $254 million in revenue for Old Chicago last year. Belanger said it’s seen nine consecutive quarters of growth at its existing restaurants, bucking the national trend for fast casual dining.
Robert E. Chalfant, assistant professor of practice at the University of Akron and director of the Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, said it’s an interesting strategy to focus on the Midwest.
“You don’t invest in declining markets,” he said. “We are turning around. ... The Midwest is regaining a certain part of its reputation as being a solid bedrock place to live and a place work. Jobs are coming back, not as fast as we’d like, but jobs are coming back. The economy is in pretty good shape.
“I think Old Chicago is leading what is going to be a big trend here in the Midwest.”
For more details about Old Chicago franchises, go online to: www.ocfranchising.com.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his beer blog at Ohio.com/beer. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .