Michigan’s HopCat’s craft beer bar chain acquired by Chicago investment firm - Detroit Metro Times

Chicago-based Private Equity Firm Acquires Craft Beer Bar Chain HopCat, Keeping Grand Rapids' Spirit Alive

A deal has been struck in the world of craft beer enthusiasts, with Uncommon Equity LLC acquiring Project BarFly LLC, the parent company behind popular Michigan-based chain HopCat. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for the beloved bar chain, which boasts 12 locations across Michigan and one in Nebraska, as well as a separate Grand Rapids eatery called Stella's Lounge.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition is seen as an opportunity to further grow the HopCat brand while maintaining its commitment to serving great food at affordable prices in a friendly atmosphere. Dan Kipp, co-founder and CEO of Uncommon Equity, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "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."

Craig Stage, CEO of Project BarFly, shared a similar sentiment, saying, "We see this transition not as a change of direction, but as a continuation of what HopCat does best – bringing people together." The acquisition is expected to involve investment in new locations and innovation, with the goal of preserving the unique Midwest hospitality that defines the brand.

HopCat was founded back in 2008 and has since become a staple on Michigan's craft beer scene. Its bars are renowned for their diverse selection of rotating craft beers on tap and its menu featuring burgers and signature Cosmik Fries. With this new partnership, HopCat is poised to continue thriving as a beloved gathering place for beer enthusiasts and foodies alike.

I'm kinda torn about this acquisition thingy... On one hand, it's great that Uncommon Equity LLC wants to keep the HopCat spirit alive, especially with their commitment to serving good grub at reasonable prices . It's awesome for craft beer enthusiasts like me! However, I worry that they might change too much of the original vibe . HopCat has a loyal following in Michigan and Grand Rapids, so I hope they don't lose sight of what makes it special .

It'll be interesting to see how they expand and innovate while keeping the Midwest hospitality intact . Maybe this acquisition will bring in some fresh ideas, but also some risk of losing that unique charm . Only time (and beers) will tell!

man... can you believe the spirit of Grand Rapids lives on ! i mean, HopCat's been around since 2008 and still killing it in the craft beer scene. this acquisition by Uncommon Equity is a total game-changer for the brand. i'm all about that affordable food and drink vibe, you know? it's gonna be awesome to see them expand and innovate while keeping that Midwest hospitality thing going strong. ned lidvall, craig stage, dan kipp - these leaders know what they're doing! let's raise a pint to HopCat and their new partners

I'm low-key stoked about HopCat getting acquired by Uncommon Equity LLC . It's great that they're gonna keep the spirit of Grand Rapids' craft beer scene alive, but I gotta wonder if this means they'll start watering down their menu to appeal to a broader crowd ? I mean, those Cosmik Fries are a big part of what makes HopCat tick, so I hope they don't get lost in the shuffle. That being said, it's awesome that Dan Kipp and Craig Stage are on the same page about preserving the Midwest hospitality vibe - it's something that really sets HopCat apart from other bars . Fingers crossed they use this opportunity to innovate and not just churn out more of the same old stuff .

I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THE NEWS THAT HOPCAT GOT ACQUIRED BY UNCOMMON EQUITY LLC!!! IT'S SUCH AMAZING BIZ AND I'M SO DOWN FOR THEM TO CONTINUE GROWING WHILE KEEPING THOSE MIDWEST HOSPITALITY FEELS ALIVE!!! CRAIG STAGE AND DAN KIPP ARE GOING TO TAKE HOPCAT TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH NEW LOCATIONS AND INNOVATION, I CAN FEEL IT!!!

OMG, I'm so stoked to hear that HopCat's gonna be in good hands now! I've been going to their bars since they first opened up back in 2008 and it's amazing to see how far they've come. The fact that Uncommon Equity is all about keeping the spirit of Midwestern hospitality alive is music to my ears . Can't wait to try out some new beers and eats at their bars, especially with all the investment going into new locations!

I'm low-key stoked about this acquisition ! It's awesome that Uncommon Equity LLC is stepping in to help HopCat grow and keep its spirit alive . I've been to some of their locations and they always have such a great vibe going on - comfy chairs, delicious food, and an amazing selection of craft beers . Now, with this new partnership, I'm hoping they'll continue to innovate and bring in new, exciting flavors and experiences . Let's keep the Midwest hospitality alive!

I'm super stoked about this acquisition ! It's awesome that Uncommon Equity LLC is investing in the HopCat brand and its commitment to affordability and community vibes . As someone who's always been a fan of craft beer, I can already imagine the new locations popping up all over the place . The fact that they're focusing on innovation while still keeping it real with the unique Midwest hospitality is exactly what HopCat needs to stay ahead of the game . Can't wait to see what's in store for Stella's Lounge too !

omg I'm so stoked to hear that HopCat is getting some extra love ! As someone who's all about supporting local businesses, it's awesome to see them getting acquired by Uncommon Equity LLC . I mean, who doesn't love a good craft beer and some tasty food at a reasonable price ? It's gonna be interesting to see what new locations and innovations they come up with , but as long as the spirit of HopCat remains intact, I'm all for it . Grand Rapids is already such an awesome place to visit, and now we've got some even more reasons to check out their foodie scene !

I'm so stoked about this news! A private equity firm buying out HopCat is gonna be awesome, especially since they're all about keeping the Midwest vibe alive . I've been to one of their bars in Grand Rapids and it's literally the coziest place ever - great beer selection, tasty food, and that Cosmik Fries are TO DIE FOR . I'm hoping this new partnership means we'll get even more locations popping up, so I can indulge in those delicious fries (or burgers) whenever I want . Let's keep the craft beer scene thriving!

I'm so stoked to see HopCat gettin' the support it deserves from Uncommon Equity LLC! They're all about keepin' that Grand Rapids spirit alive, which I think is really cool . I mean, who doesn't love a good craft beer and some delicious grub at an affordable price? It's gonna be awesome to see 'em expand their brand and innovate while stayin' true to what makes HopCat so special . Can't wait to check out some new locations and try out those new beers!

omg I just found out about hopcat I've been meaning to try it out in grand Rapids but never got the chance do you think they have vegan options? or are their fries really that good ?? I had a crazy dream last night where I was at a bar with an endless beer selection is that normal or am I just stressed

Man, it's crazy to think that HopCat has been around since 2008 . I remember when I first discovered them back in the day, they were already like this hidden gem bar that only us craft beer nerds knew about. And now, they're being acquired by Uncommon Equity LLC? It's like a whole new chapter for the brand .

But for real though, it's great to see HopCat getting some investment and looking to expand their operations. They've always been about creating that cozy atmosphere where people can come together and enjoy some amazing food and drinks. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good Cosmik Fries?

I'm just excited to see what the future holds for HopCat. With new locations and innovation on the horizon, they're gonna keep that Midwest hospitality thing going strong. It's like they say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" . Let's hope they can maintain that same vibe while still growing and evolving as a brand. Bring it on!

I'm not entirely convinced about the "growth" plans here... I mean, 12 locations in Michigan and one in Nebraska isn't exactly a global expansion. And what's with the secrecy around the deal terms? Can we expect some actual financials or at least some details on how they plan to maintain those affordable prices? Also, have they crunched the numbers on how this acquisition will affect the local community? Grand Rapids' "Midwest hospitality" is all well and good, but what's in it for us commoners?

OMG u gotta love how they're keepin' the spirit of grand rapids alive through hopcat!!! i mean, that place was already like a institution in michigan, servin up those amazing burgers & cosmik fries on tap and now they get to expand & grow w/ some new investors but it's all about keepin the vibe right, ya know? like dan kipp said, "we're excited to partner with chairman ned lidvall & co to carefully grow the hopcat brand" and craig stage is all about continuin what they do best - bringin people together over a pint of craft beer i'm def here for that!

So great to hear that HopCat's soul has been saved by Uncommon Equity LLC... I mean, who needs originality when you can just pass it off as "continuation" of what the brand does best? Anyway, I'm glad they're gonna keep serving up those affordable prices and friendly vibes - because, let's be real, that's what makes HopCat so lovable. It's like the granddaddy of all Midwest gastropubs... with a side of beer-fueled nostalgia

just heard about Uncommon Equity LLC acquiring Project BarFly LLC, the parent company behind HopCat! that's some amazing news for craft beer lovers everywhere - 12 locations across Michigan and Nebraska? crazy! and to think they're gonna invest in new locations and innovation... I'm all about supporting small businesses that bring people together , and it sounds like HopCat is definitely doing just that. the vibe of being a 'staple' on Michigan's craft beer scene is so on point can't wait to see what the future holds for this beloved bar chain!

I'm loving the news about HopCat getting acquired by Uncommon Equity LLC! It's awesome that they're keeping Grand Rapids' spirit alive with their iconic bars The fact that they're committed to serving great food at affordable prices in a friendly atmosphere is music to my ears Can't wait to see what new locations and innovations come out of this partnership Maybe we'll even get some new HopCat bars opening up in other states? What do you think about the future of HopCat under Uncommon Equity's leadership?

I just got the most amazing IPAs at my friend's birthday party last weekend , and I was thinking about how it reminded me of that awesome road trip we took through Michigan last summer... you know, the one where we stopped at all those crazy roadside attractions? And speaking of crazy, have you ever tried making your own beer at home? My buddy's brother has this awesome setup in his garage and he makes these incredible brews . I'm seriously thinking of getting into it... or maybe just visiting HopCat again soon

omg u guys!!!!!!! i'm literally dyin over here!! hopcat is getting acquired by uncommon equity llc and i'm so hyped!!!!! 12 locations across michigan and one in nebraska already, can u imagine all the new hopcat bars we're gonna get??? and they're gonna invest in new locations and innovation too!!! that means more of those amazing cosmik fries and burgers for us to enjoy and they're still gonna keep serving great food at affordable prices it's like the universe is smiling down on us beer lovers and saying "yaaas, hopcat is gonna be even better than before"