Rock Bottom Restaurants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. is a multi-concept restaurant company based in Colorado, currently employing nearly 7,000. It owns and operates 101 restaurants across the United States – 64 Old Chicago restaurants and 38 brewery concepts operating under the names Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, ChopHouse & Brewery, and Walnut Brewery. The Company also operates at least four Sing Sing concepts, an entertainment venue featuring a dueling piano bar in a club setting. It has franchise partnerships under its Old Chicago brand that account for 25 locations.
In the Fall of 2007, the comapny laid off about 20% of its corporate staff and slowed its growh plans along with ceasing its search for an equity partner. In April 2008, the company announced the resignation of its President / CEO Ned Lidvall, its CFO and EVP John Coletta, and the SVP of Human Resources - Sugi Randall. By many, this was seen as a good move for the company to focus its operations back on its core strengths and remove the distractions caused by its newest executive team member. Founder and Chairman of the Board, Frank Day has taken over a more active and daily responsibility for the company that began over 30 years ago.
In 2000, the Company formed the Rock Bottom Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit entity.
Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. support office is based in Louisville, Colorado. The Company’s annual sales in 2006 were $283 million ($335 million including Franchise locations) a 6% increase over fiscal 2005. Projected sales for 2007 are $315 million ($389 million including Franchise locations).
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[edit] Walnut Brewery
Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. operates one store under the name Walnut Brewery. This store is located in Boulder, Colorado. Walnut Brewery was opened in 1990 as Boulder's Original Brewpub. Its menu and decor are almost identical to the Rock Bottom Concept. Walnut Brewery is named for the street on which it is located.
[edit] Rock Bottom Brewery
Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. operates 29 breweries under the name Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. These breweries are located in several states, with four stores each in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Illinois, two stores each in Washington, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania (including one at the King of Prussia Mall), and Massachusetts, and one store each in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon, Virginia, and Maryland.
Each of these breweries has a menu that features a selection of "American Style" cuisine including pizza and burgers, steaks, salads, and desserts. Each region (and sometimes, each store) has its own selection of beers and beer logos. It is rare to find two beers of the same name and/or taste in two different stores.
Rock Bottom Brewery is almost identical to the Walnut Brewery concept. In fact, when the first Rock Bottom was being constructed in downtown Denver, it was to be called Walnut Brewery. The store was being built in the bottom of (what was at the time) the Prudential building. The store was renamed Rock Bottom after someone pointed out that they were 'building at the bottom of the rock,' which was Prudential's slogan at the time.
[edit] Old Chicago
Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. operates 72 restaurants in 20 states under the name Old Chicago. Several of the restaurants are franchised and therefore not owned or operated by Rock Bottom Restaurants. Old Chicago features a menu centered around its pizza, while also featuring more tradional fare such as pastas, burgers, calzones and more. Each store also carries between 110 to 130 types of beer (depending on the season), with generally 30 on draft, challenging its patrons to complete its famed World Beer Tour. Patrons can sign up for the World Beer Tour (WBT) at no cost, at which point they receive a card that tracks all of their beers consumed. Upon reaching 110 different beers, the thirsty patron gets a plaque with their name, and at most stores a personal quote, hung in their designated "home" Old Chicago location. As an added bonus, WBT members also earn points based on previous purchases that can be traded in for various things such as credit towards a bill on future visits, merchandise, or exclusive parties at Old Chicago locations. Old Chicago also offers seasonal "Mini-Tours", that feature between 8-12 seasonal beers. Some examples are the Oktoberfest, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Summer, and Winter Mini-Tours. As a reward for completion, patrons typically receive a themed Mini-Tour t-shirt.
[edit] Sing Sing Dueling Pianos
Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. operates 4 stores under the name Sing Sing. These stores are located in Pittsburgh, Irvine (possibly closed), San Diego, and Denver, and are adjacent to the Rock Bottom Breweries in these cities, except in Denver where it is adjacent to the ChopHouse & Brewery. These stores feature 2 pianos on stage with 4 rotating players for continual music, allowing patrons to listen to classic rock music in a fun environment.
[edit] ChopHouse & Brewery
Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. operates 4 stores under the name ChopHouse Brewery. These stores are located in Denver, Colorado, Cleveland, Ohio, Washington, DC, and Boulder, Colorado. These stores are a steak house concept, featuring a traditional 1940's ChopHouse feel.
[edit] Rock Bottom Foundation
The Rock Bottom Foundation is the charitable arm of Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. and is a 501 c(3), non-profit organization. Dedicated to combating hunger in the communities in which they live and operate restaurants, the Foundation provides support through the parent company restaurants to organizations and programs addressing this social issue.
