Chattanooga: Gordon Biersch merges to form CraftWorks

Chattanooga-based Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group has merged with Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. to form CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries Inc.

Centerbridge Capital Partners L.P. of New York purchased both companies.

The combined business becomes the nation's leading operator and franchisor of brewery and craft beer-focused casual dining restaurants with nearly 200 owned and franchised locations across the United States.

CraftWorks' primary concepts include Old Chicago, Rock Bottom and Gordon Biersch. It also operates specialty concepts such as Big River Grille and Brewing Works and Bluewater Grille.

Allen Corey, CEO of Gordon Biersch, will take the same position with CraftWorks.

Frank Day, founder of Rock Bottom, serves as chairman of the combined company, which will have dual headquarters in Chattanooga and Louisville, Colo.

For full story, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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