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

Chicago-based Uncommon Equity LLC has announced the acquisition of HopCat, a craft beer bar chain founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The deal involves the purchase of parent company Project BarFly LLC, which includes 13 locations across Michigan and one in Nebraska, as well as a separate restaurant called Stella's Lounge.

The terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, but Uncommon Equity's co-founder and CEO Dan Kipp expressed enthusiasm for partnering with HopCat's leadership team to expand the brand while maintaining its commitment to quality food and a welcoming atmosphere. As part of the deal, Kipp will join HopCat's board of directors.

HopCat's founder Craig Stage welcomed the acquisition, viewing it as an opportunity to continue serving customers while bringing in new expertise and resources. The company remains dedicated to its core values of community-building and Midwestern hospitality, which have defined the brand since its founding in 2008.

With locations across Michigan, including Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Ann Arbor, HopCat has established a reputation for offering an extensive selection of rotating craft beers and a menu featuring burgers and signature items like Cosmik Fries. The acquisition by Uncommon Equity aims to further solidify the brand's presence while investing in new locations and innovation.
 
man I think this is dope news! hopcat has been my fave spot to grab a beer and some grub in detroit 🍺👌 they've always had that chill vibe going on and now with uncommon equity coming in they're gonna take it to the next level i'm hyped to see what new locations they'll open up and how they'll keep pushing the bar (no pun intended 😉) on quality food and craft beers anyway, it's awesome to see small businesses like hopcat getting the love and support they need to grow and thrive 💪
 
Man... I'm kinda bummed that HopCat is getting sold out. They're one of my fave spots for a good beer and some solid grub. I mean, their Cosmik Fries are LEGENDARY 🤤. But at the same time, it's cool to see someone like Uncommon Equity stepping in to help them expand and bring in some new ideas. It's all about finding that balance between keeping it authentic and pushing boundaries, you know? And I'm glad to hear that the core values of community-building and Midwestern hospitality are still gonna be at the forefront of everything they do. That's what it's all about for me - good vibes and good beer 🍺👌
 
just read about this hopcat acquisition thingy 🤔, seems like dan kipp is gonna be on the board tho? hoping they don't change too much about the vibe at their places, i mean i'm all for some upgrades but gotta keep that midwestern feel 😊 and 13 locations across michigan isn't bad, i guess it's cool they're getting a boost from uncommon equity 💸. cosmik fries are still on the menu tho 🍟, so that's a plus 👌
 
🍺👍 so this is cool, right? i mean hopcat has been doing their thing for years and now they get a boost from uncommon equity. dan kipp seems like a good dude who wants to keep hopcat's vibes going 🤜🤛 but also bring in some new skills to the table 📈

so, 13 locations across michigan and one in nebraska? that's pretty solid for a craft beer bar chain 🍺🌳 i love how they're staying true to their roots and community-building values 💕 it's like, hey we're gonna keep serving our customers good food and drinks and also maybe expand a bit... but not too much 🤷‍♂️

and, yay! cosmik fries are still on the menu 🍟👌 that's all i need to know 😜
 
🤯 This is huge news, people! HopCat's acquisition by Uncommon Equity is gonna take the craft beer scene to a whole new level! I mean, who wouldn't want that iconic Cosmik Fries on their menu? 🍟 And with Dan Kipp joining the board, they're definitely bringing in some serious expertise to shake things up. But what really gets me excited is the commitment to community-building and Midwestern hospitality – those values are so true to the HopCat vibe! I'm curious to see how this acquisition will impact their existing locations, but from what I've seen, it's gonna be a wild ride for HopCat fans everywhere 🚀🍺.
 
I'm not sure about this deal... 🤔 I mean, I love HopCat, they're always so on point with their beer selection and food, but isn't it weird that we're talking about a company being bought out without anyone really saying what's going on? I'd like to see some more info on the financials behind this acquisition. How much did Uncommon Equity just shell out for HopCat, anyway? And what does this mean for the employees and local communities? Did they have any say in the matter? Want more details before I'm convinced that this is a good thing for everyone involved 📊
 
Man I'm so down about this deal... HopCat is like my favorite spot to grab a beer with friends after a game or concert 🎉. Been going there since they first opened up in Grand Rapids back in 2008, and it's still killing the game with their craft beer selection and delicious food. I love how they're keeping their community-building vibes alive under new ownership - can't wait to see what kind of new locations they open up 📍. And it's awesome that Dan Kipp is joining the board, must mean they're gonna bring some fresh ideas to the table 💡. Bring on more HopCat bars and Stella's Lounge... my wallet isn't ready for this 😂.
 
🤔 just thought about this acquisition... i mean, it sounds nice that Uncommon Equity is bringing in resources to help HopCat expand but at what cost? are they gonna mess with their signature menu items? 🍴👀 also don't get me wrong, community-building and Midwestern hospitality are great vibes but what's the real motive here? 😊
 
I'm just catching up on this news and I gotta say, I'm kinda stoked about HopCat getting acquired. They've always had a unique vibe going on, you know? Like, they're not just some fancy-schmancy craft beer joint, but actually have a focus on community and all that. I mean, who doesn't love a good Cosmik Fries?! 🤣🍔 Also, it's cool to see Dan Kipp coming on board as part of the leadership team - he sounds like he's got some solid ideas for expanding the brand while keeping those core values intact. Let's hope they don't mess it up! 😅
 
I'm low-key surprised they're selling 🤔, HopCat has been killing it for years, I mean their beer selection is on point and the vibes are always lit 💃🏻. I can see why Uncommon Equity wanted to get in on the action tho, expanding the brand could be a big win for them ⭐️. The fact that Kipp will be joining the board of directors also suggests they're serious about maintaining HopCat's unique culture 🤝. But idk, part of me is gonna miss Grand Rapids' claim to fame being 'where HopCat was born' 😂. On a more serious note tho, I'm excited to see what new locations and innovations Uncommon Equity has in store for us 🚀
 
🤔 thinkin bout dis acquisition... seems like both sides win 🤑 Dan Kipp & HopCat's crew get more resources 2 expand & innovate, but keep it real 4 their customers 😊. Meanwhile, Uncommon Equity gets a solid brand w/ great reputation 2 build on. reminds me, in life, sometimes u gotta take risks & partner up 2 grow, but always remember where u came from & what made u special 💡
 
so it seems like Uncommon Equity is pretty keen on preserving HopCat's vibe 🤗... I mean, they wanna maintain those quality grub and cozy atmosphere vibes that made HopCat popular in the first place 👌. Sounds good to me! HopCat has already got a solid rep for its craft beers and Midwestern hospitality, so I reckon Uncommon Equity will just build on that 🍺👫. One thing's for sure - with new resources and expertise coming in, they should be able to expand the brand without losing sight of what made it special from the start 💪
 
So they're taking over HopCat, huh? I mean, it's not surprising really, these craft beer bars are all the rage now 🤩. It'll be interesting to see how Dan Kipp and his crew shake things up at Grand Rapids' favorite watering hole. They've got a solid reputation for good food and drinks, so fingers crossed they don't mess with what works! Ann Arbor's spot is definitely my fave, I love the vibe there 📍
 
🍺 I'm loving this acquisition, HopCat is always been my fave spot to grab a cold one and some amazing burgers in MI. It's awesome they're keeping it local and community-driven, those values are what make a place truly special 🤝💚
 
I think it's pretty interesting that HopCat is being acquired by Uncommon Equity, considering how well-established they already are in Michigan 🤔. It makes sense that Dan Kipp wants to partner with their leadership team though - maybe he's thinking about expanding into other markets? I mean, 13 locations across two states is a solid foundation, but there's always room for growth 😊. One thing that's great to see is how HopCat has managed to stay true to its core values of community-building and Midwestern hospitality. That kind of commitment to the brand can really set you apart in an increasingly competitive market 🙌. Now, I'm curious to see what Uncommon Equity brings to the table - maybe some fresh investment or expertise that'll help HopCat take things to the next level 💸.
 
I don’t usually comment but... I think this is a cool move for HopCat. They've built such a loyal following in Michigan, it'll be interesting to see how they expand with Uncommon Equity's backing 🤔. I mean, who doesn't love a good craft beer and some awesome grub? The fact that Dan Kipp is joining the board is a plus too - he sounds like someone who knows his stuff about building successful brands. I'm curious to see where this partnership takes them next... maybe we'll even get some new HopCat locations in other states 🍺
 
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