Franchising

BBQ Holdings adding Tahoe Joe's to expansion plans

October 7, 2021

BBQ Holdings, Inc., a multi-brand restaurant company behind Famous Dave's, Granite City Food and Brewery and Village Inn and Bakers Square, is adding Tahoe Joe's, the five-unit Central Valley, California-based steakhouse chain to its portfolio, according to a company press release.

The deal is set to close Oct. 8 and marks the second acquisition for the brand this year. The 26-year-old Tahoe Joe's is known for its Lake Tahoe steaks, burgers, pork chops and railroad camp shrimp.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tahoe Joe's into the BBQ Holdings Family. This well-loved brand will fold seamlessly into our portfolio, and we can't wait to start working with the fantastic people who have made Tahoe Joe's what it is today, and to get the brand on a rejuvenated path to growth," Jeff Crivello, BBQ Holdings CEO, said in the release.

"BBQ Holdings is on a steep trajectory. We continue to execute our three pillars of growth. First, filling latent capacity in our current restaurants with ghost kitchens, virtual brands, and dual concepts. Second, organic new restaurant units, and third, accretive and strategic M&A."

With Tahoe Joe's roots in BBQ, its pellet broiled steaks and chops are a fit for Famous Dave's menu. The transaction also includes the IP of Home Town Buffet, Ryans, Furr's Fresh Buffet, and Old Country Buffet. The company has no immediate plans to reopen the buffet brands.

As of Aug. 13, 2021, BBQ Holdings had six brands with 299 locations in three countries, including 85 company-owned locations and 214 franchised locations. In addition, the company opened eight company-owned Famous Dave's ghost kitchens operating within its Granite City locations, and 17 Famous Dave's franchisee ghost kitchens operating out of the kitchen of another restaurant location or a shared kitchen space.