A Chicago-based private equity firm announced it has acquired HopCat, the craft beer bar chain founded in Grand Rapids.
Under the deal, announced earlier this week, Uncommon Equity LLC acquired parent company Project BarFly LLC, which includes 12 HopCat locations across Michigan and one in Nebraska, in addition to a separate Grand Rapids restaurant called Stella’s Lounge.
“We are excited to be acquiring HopCat at this pivotal point in time and to partner with Chairman Ned Lidvall, CEO Craig Stage, CFO Andrew Woodruff and their leadership team to carefully grow the HopCat brand while continuing their maniacal focus on great, value-priced food served in a friendly, neighborhood atmosphere,” said Uncommon Equity co-founder and CEO Dan Kipp in a statement, who will join HopCat’s board of directors…