Competitors of World of Beer

Mellow Mushroom

Competitive advantage

• Mellow Mushroom guarantees its customers high-quality pizza with ease in placing orders.
• With over 40 years of experience, the company provides the best pizzas that are handcrafted with fresh ingredients.
• It offers customers the opportunity to conduct fundraising activities in stores using GroupRaise.

Strengths

• The company targets customers who have a taste for quality and freshness and makes ordering easy, especially for those who wish to do so online.
• It uses imagery to grab the attention of consumers and show them snippets of what they’re likely to get.
•  Customers have the options to dine in, have delivery, order pizzas online, conduct fundraisers and catering at the specific stores.
• Customers are made to feel like part of a community because they also have the option of joining Mellow Mushroom’s E-Club.
• They don’t just focus on food; customers also have access to shop for gift cards, artwork, apparel and merchandise.

Perceived weaknesses

• Within a period of 7 years (2012–2019), Mellow Mushroom opened and closed three store locations in Louisville as a result of the owner’s busy schedule which did not give him enough time to balance other business opportunities and management of the three stores.
• In the previous year (May 2018), the store at the Anderson location was closed, following issues that involved employees walking off the job.
•  Closure of the stores would’ve also resulted in the loss of customers and possibly a decline in the customers’ confidence level in the company as well.

Revenue

• Mellow Mushroom’s estimated annual revenue is $69 million.

Footprint

• Mellow Mushroom has locations in the U.S. in the following states: Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Washington DC, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, New Jersey, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah.

Yard House

Competitive advantage

• Yard House promises its customers perfectly chilled beverages, over 100 menu items that are all made from scratch, lifestyle dishes and happy hour during game shows.
• Customers who join the company’s e-club have the benefit of getting not just news but also a complimentary appetizer at their next visit.
• Yard House is creative in helping customers who don’t want to wait, to join the queue at their desired location before arrival and gain access when they get to the location.

Strengths

•  Yard House targets customers who enjoy group meals and discounted prices on drinks and beverages during its happy hour, although offers may vary according to the location.
• The company uses imagery to gain the attention of customers and other website visitors who might be considering dining with them.
• In addition to the company’s option for customers to make orders online, they can also “skip the line” by merely joining a line before their arrival which allows them to check in on arrival.
• Yard House is active on several social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube and its easily visible on their website.
• It also provides gift cards for purchasing, event planning options and highlights details about its new locations including those recently opened, soon to be opened and those that’ll open in 2020.
• It also caters to customers with dietary restrictions (e.g. Gluten-free meals) or those concerned about nutritional facts.

Perceived weaknesses

• While the company provides contact information for customers and consumers to reach them, it is limited to email addresses for real estate, employment, press/media/PR, marketing/advertising and beverage suppliers.
• It does not have contact information for sales representative on their “Contact Us” page or telephone numbers for persons who prefer a direct conversation.
• The company is not very active on their YouTube channels as can be seen in their infrequent posts, with the last one being nine months ago.
• With as many as 2,580 subscribers, this may cause customers who are users of this platform and subscribers to become less interested in knowing about Yard House if updates are not being made often enough and this is their preferred social media account.

Revenue

• Yard House’s estimated annual revenue is $19 million.

Footprint

• Yard House has locations in the U.S. in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

HopCat

1. Competitive Advantage

• HopCat's competitive advantage is the excellent, craft beers that it serves.
• The company clearly references that competitive advantage in stating: "HopCat was envisioned, designed, stocked, and staffed with one mission in mind: To bring you great beer."

2. Strengths & Weaknesses

• The awards and accolades that HopCat has received is a major strength for the company (listed below).
• HopCat's Grand Rapids location was rated best U.S. brewpub by RateBeer from 2012-2016.
• Draft Magazine named HopCat one of the "Top 50 bars in the U.S."
• HopCat was ranked the third-best Beer Bar worldwide by Beer Advocate Magazine.
• HopCat was ranked as the second-best U.S. beer bar by CraftBeer.

• The unique design of each HopCat brewpub is a strength for the company, as each location has its own distinctive character.
• A strength for HopCat is the overall satisfaction of its customers, as demonstrated through the good, overall ratings it receives (across its locations in general). For example, HopCat's Grand Rapids location has a 4.5/5 rating based on 897 reviews on TripAdvisor.
• A wide beer selection and good food are additional strengths for HopCat. For example, a customer stated: "There is an extensive beer list across the beer spectrum."
• With regard to weaknesses, multiple customers said that HopCat has slow service. As one customer stated: "[N]o staff person moves fast in here. Waitstaff bus their own tables & are very slow to do so. Sorely understaffed."
•  Poor customer service appears to be an issue for the company, as many customers mentioned that the staff didn't pay proper attention to them.

3. Revenue

• HopCat's CEO projected that the company's revenue in 2017 would range between $66 million and $70 million.

• HopCat's CEO estimated that the company's 2016 revenue would amount to $59 million.

• For reference, HopCat generated $1.8 million in revenue during its first year in business (which launched in 2008).

4. Geographical Footprint

• HopCat's geographical footprint is largely concentrated in the Midwest region of the U.S.

• HopCat has seven Michigan locations in the following cities: Ann Arbor, Detroit, East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, and Royal Oak.

• There are two HopCat locations in Missouri (Kansas City and St. Louis).

• HopCat has two Kentucky locations (Lexington and Louisville).

• HopCat has a location in the following cities: Indianapolis (Indiana), Lincoln (Nebraska), Madison (Wisconsin), Minneapolis (Minnesota), and Port St. Lucie (Florida).

Brass Tap

1. Competitive Advantage

• Brass Tap appears to have a three-part competitive advantage: (1) Its wide selection of beers; (2) It's high-end, atypical spin on bar food; and (3) It's focus on live entertainment.

• With regard to its wide beer selection, the company offers "60 rotating taps" and more than "100 domestic and international bottled beers, wine, and full liquor."

• With regard to its high-end food, the company states that it doesn't offer "typical 'bar food' . . . [but instead] put[s] a premium up-scale twist on classic favorites."

• With regard to live entertainment, the company states that "there is always something going on at The Brass Tap" ranging from live bands, to beer tastings, to trivia nights, and more.

2. Strengths & Weaknesses

• Brass Tap's company size is a strength for it, as it was ranked by Technomic as one of "of the 500 largest restaurant chains in the U.S."

• From a corporate standpoint, Brass Tap's focus on opening locations in secondary markets, such as large towns or big-city suburbs, has been important to its success and is thus a strength for the company.
• The wide selection and quality of beers is a major strength for Brass Tap, as many customers had positive things to say about that. As one customer stated: "If you like craft beer; this is the best variety I have ever seen in Florida."
•  Slow service and long waits are a weakness for the company, as that was mentioned by a number of customers. As one customer stated, the "service [was] a little slow."
•  Mediocre food is a common refrain about this company across its locations. Many customers described the food as decent, average, or what they'd expect from bar food.

3. Revenue

• According to ZoomInfo, Brass Tap's estimated revenue is $58.3 million.
• A Forbes article stated that the company's revenue grew by "25% in 2017."

4. Geographical Footprint

• Brass Tap has 46 total locations, all of which are in the U.S.

• Those 46 locations span 17 states.

•  Florida is Brass Tap's key market, based on number of locations.

• The company has one or more locations in each of the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Alabama, Texas, Iowa, Virginia, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, and California.

Research Strategy

Growler USA

1. Competitive Advantage

• Growler USA's competitive advantage lies in its focus on craft beer and its True to the Brew™ ideology.
• Growler USA differentiates itself from its competitors with its True to the Brew™ ideology, which guarantees that "each brewer's vision for their product is honored."
• It takes great care to ensure that the beer is served or presented to customers as intended by the brewer.

2. Strengths

• A craft beer pub, Growler USA is part of the fast-growing craft beer movement in the United States.
• Growler USA has several breweries vouching for it. Among these breweries are Dry Dock Brewing, New Belgium Brewing Company, Horse & Dragon Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company, Denver Beer Company, and The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery.
• Having a hundred craft beverages on tap, including craft beer, draught wine, draft cocktails, hard cider, and kombucha tea, Growler USA has a wide selection of craft beverages on offer. These beverages are categorized by style on digital menu boards, so guests can easily make their choices. Growler USA also has a chef-driven food menu that is versatile and broad to match the beverage selection.
• As the company is a member of state restaurant associations, the National Restaurant Association, the Brewers Association, the American Homebrewers Association, and the International Franchise Association, it has access to the resources and networks these organizations offer.
• Reviews on Facebook suggest that Growler USA offers great beer, food, and value, and has friendly bartenders and a fun and hip atmosphere.

3. Perceived Weaknesses

• From the perspective of Amrish Raj, a former owner and operator of a Growler USA franchise, Growler USA's policy of serving only craft beverages is a weakness. Husband and wife Amrish Raj and Sunita McCoy closed its franchise of Growler USA in Raleigh, North Carolina after one and a half years because they could not serve popular domestic beers such as Bud Light.
• Raj believes it is harder to compete now that craft beer pubs are far more common than they were before. It is for this reason that he and his wife rebranded the pub to Riddle Raleigh, which now has a full bar that can serve in-demand non-craft beers.
• Growler USA's franchise fee of 9% of gross sales appears to be a weakness too, as the Growler USA franchise in Gastonia apparently closed down because of the high franchise fee. Several other Growler USA locations had closed in 2018, although it is not clear if these other closures were due to the franchise fee, the craft-beverage-only policy, or some other reason.
• It appears the franchise in Gastonia ceased operating because of issues stemming from "the restaurant's concept, unrealistic expectations of its franchises, and a lack of support from the head franchisor." Growler USA's concept in Gastonia did not fit the neighborhood well.

4. Revenue

• ZoomInfo estimates Growler USA's annual revenue at $46.5 million.

5. Locations

• Growler USA has 22 locations in total. These 22 craft beer pubs are spread across Arizona (Tucson, Phoenix), Arkansas (Rogers), California (San Jose), Colorado (Centennial, Highlands), Florida (Miami, Orlando), Georgia (Macon, Warner Robins), Hawaii (Honolulu), Indiana (Jeffersonville), Maryland (Baltimore), Missouri (St. Charles), New Mexico (Albuquerque Westside), Oregon (Portland), Texas (Austin, Lubbock, Katy, Frisco), Virginia (Midlothian), and Washington (Vancouver).
• Growler USA will soon be opening two new locations — one in Albuquerque Central, New Mexico, and another in Odessa, Texas.

The Ginger Man

1. Competitive Advantage

• The Ginger Man's competitive advantage lies in its focus on specialty or draught beers from the best local, national, and international breweries, and its passion for "serving good beer in a good atmosphere" and "serving the right beer in the right glass at the right temperature."

2. Strengths

• The Ginger Man's locations in Houston, Dallas, and Southlake are rated highly on Facebook. The Houston branch is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on the opinion of 36 people, the Dallas branch is rated 4.5 out of 5 based on the opinion of 372 people, and the Southlake branch is rated 4.4 out of 5 based on the opinion of 165 people.
• On Facebook, the Dallas branch is recommended by 437 people, while the Southlake branch is recommended by 219 people.
• The reviews on Facebook suggest that The Ginger Man is a local hangout that has great beer and food, friendly bartenders, and a hip and fun atmosphere.
• The Ginger Man is known as a craft beer icon in Texas.

3. Perceived Weaknesses

• The Ginger Man's marketing capabilities appear to be a weakness. The Ginger Man's website does not look like it was designed properly, and it appears the website has not been updated in a long while because the latest news on the site was from 2013, more than five years ago. The website contains mostly beer and food menus.
• Though most reviews of The Ginger Man are positive, the few negative reviews of the Southlake and Houston branches suggest that there were instances of poor customer service and racial discrimination.

4. Revenue

• ZoomInfo estimates The Ginger Man's annual revenue at $29.7 million.

5. Locations

• Based on its website, The Ginger Man has six locations in total, all located in Texas. Its six branches are located in Houston, Dallas, Plano, Southlake, Bee Cave, and Irving.
• A news article, however, states that The Ginger Man has locations in Boston, New York, and Greenwich, Connecticut as well.

Research Strategy

True Competitors to World of Beer

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

• Here is a link to its website.

Why It is a True Competitor

• The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium is one of the key players in the craft beer chain industry in the United States, according to Thrillist and DraftMagazine.
• The company supplies over 240 beers, along with over 100 various brewing styles.

Value Proposition

• The value proposition the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium is that each establishment has provides "its own unique atmosphere and style" to customers.

Growler USA

• Here is a link to its website.

Why It is a True Competitor

• Growler USA is a craft beer chain that offers "100 taps of craft beer", draught wine, and hard cider, along with hand-crafted non-alcoholic beverages like kombucha tea and root beer.
• The company is one of the key players in the craft beer chain industry in United States, according to Thrillist.

Value Proposition

• The value proposition of Growler USA is capturing the community's personality via its massive draught selections, localized menu offerings, and decor elements.

Gingerman

• Here is a link to its website.

Why It is a True Competitor

• Gingerman is a collection of specialty beer chains and its locations (10 in total) have rare pours cask ales. The majority of its establishments maintain a beer garden.
• It is one of the key players in the craft beer chain industry in United States, according to Thrillist and Draft Magazine.

Value Proposition

• The value proposition of Gingerman is to serve "good beer in a good atmosphere."

HopCat

• Here is a link to its website.

Why It is a True Competitor

• HopCat's tap selections are well-thought-out and retains and abundance of space for rarities and local brewers, as it has between 50-80 taps that are continually rotating. It also offers a wide variety of beer.
• HopCat is one of the key players in the craft beer chain industry in United States, according to Thrillist and Draft Magazine.

Value Proposition

• HopCat is arranged with expressly commissioned artwork to look and feel unique, and it crafts exceptional beer with delight and care.

Brass Tap

• Here is a link to its website.

Why It is a True Competitor

• Brass Tap offers first-rate handcrafted cocktails, craft beers, etc. and are innovators whose concept is evidence of its capacity to spearhead a segment full of opportunities. It has also created an exceptional guest experience.

• Brass Tap is one of the key player in the craft beer industry in United States, as listed by Thrillist.

Value Proposition

• The value proposition of Brass Tap is having "Localized Offering and World Class Hospitality."

Mellow Mushroom

• Here is a link to its website.

Why It is a True Competitor

• Mellow Mushroom takes pride in providing a distinct line of high-quality brews, along with a broad assortment fresh craft beer.

• It is one of the key player in the craft beer industry in United States, according to Thrillist.

Value Proposition

• Mellow Mushroom proclaims that its "primary ingredients are Quality and Passion."

Yard House

• Here is a link to its website.

Why It is a True Competitor

• It is one of the key players in the craft beer industry in United States, as listed by Thrillist.

• Yard House offers the largest collection of craft beer in the world from over 100 taps of the best American craft and import beers, along with a menu composed of offerings prepared from scratch.

Value Proposition

• The company’s value proposition is having "passion for great beer, great food and great music."

Research Strategy:

Professional Biography of James Buell

•  James Buell is an experienced senior marketing executive with extensive experience in the domestic and international market. He has worked in more than 200 locations in over 75 nations.

• Buell has vast experience in a variety of industries like entertainment, casino, philanthropy, digital, brand, hotel, and retail.
• In February 2018, he was appointed Vice President of Marketing at World of Beer, a position he held up to October the same year. In October, he was appointed Chief Brand and Innovation Officer, a role he holds to this date.
• Before joining World of Beer, James spent 13 years at Hard Rock International, where he served as a marketing executive.
• At Hard Rock, he is credited for playing a key role in the company's EBITDA improvement for 10 consecutive years.
• James holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Central Florida. In addition, he studied law at Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU).

Research Strategy

Investors Scammed, Tried To Bring 'World Of Beer' To Hoboken: OAG

• The link to the article is here.
• The article talks about a man in New Jersey who was indicted for theft after trying to steal $750,000 from investors who wanted to invest in a World of Beer franchise. Nirav Patel, 39, of Hoboken, a real estate and business investor, was accused of accepting the money from investors for a share in the ownership of World of Beer Hoboken, but he is charged with using the money for personal and business expenses unrelated to World of Beer Hoboken.

World of Beer in Wauwatosa is changing to Ferch's Crafthouse Grille

• The link to the website is here.
• The article talks about the restaurant company losing one World of Beer restaurant as the Wauwatosa location restaurant decided to re-brand to a Ferch's Crafthouse Grill restaurant. The restaurant's reason for the change was given as the desire to serve different beers and constantly rotate them.

National Chain World of Beer Is Reportedly Plotting a Ballston Comeback

• The link to the article is here.
• The article talks about a World of Beer restaurant returning to Ballston to serve its millennial demographic. The restaurant was set to occupy the site that had housed Ted’s Montana Grill that closed in 2015.

World of Beer Founders Built an Empire and Came Back Home to Pensacola

• The link to the article is here.
• The article features Matt Lafon and Scott Zepp, co-owners of Pensacola World of Beer, and tells their experience of going from no entrepreneurial experience to founding World of Beer.

World of Beer in Lowertown closes

• The link to the article is here.
• The article reports that a World of Beer restaurant pulled out of Lowertown by closing down after three years in operation. The restaurant posted a sign on its door informing people that it was closing for a re-brand.

MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE To Appear at 'World of Beer' In Tampa On Monday

• The link to the article is here.
• The article talks about a special appearance by Dave Mustaine, an American guitarist, at the World of Beer Avion Park. Mustaine was set to pour for people the Tout Le Monde beer, a collaboration between himself and Unibroue brew master Jerry Vietz.

World Of Beer Hosting 2019 Brew Fest In Dublin

• The link to the article is here.
• The article talks about World of Beer hosting the 2019 Brew Fest that was to take place in Dublin and give beer lovers a taste of the local brews. Participants were required to pay $20 for five tasting tickets. A live DJ and outdoor yard games were also set to feature at the Fest.

World of Beer now open at Boardwalk at Towne Lake in Cypress

• The link to the article is here.
• The article reviews the grand opening of a new World of Beer restaurant at the Boardwalk at Towne Lake. A selection of craft beer from around the world was to be featured.

The Lady and Sons, World of Beer among Savannah spots cited for selling alcohol to minors

• The link to the article is here.
• The article talks about World of Beer being among establishments that failed to follow the law during a police sting in Savannah as they sold alcohol to underage buyers. The restaurant was to receive a fine for the violation.

Man going to talk to wife at World of Beer greeted with a punch in the face

• The link to the article is here.
• The article reports about a man being punched in the face by another as he went into a World of Beer at Brownwood Paddock Square to talk to his wife. The attacker, Hamilton Santiago, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of battery and booked at the Sumter County Detention Center.

Paul Avery — Chief Executive Officer

• Prior to joining World of Beer, Paul Avery was the chief operating officer at OSI Restaurant Partners, Inc, the parent company of Outback. He developed his career with OSI from a local area partner, to President of Outback Steakhouse, to the Chief Operating Officer of OSI Restaurant Partners, Inc.
• As COO, the Kean University graduate oversaw the operations and growth of Outback, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Bonefish Grill. He is also Avery Management Group’s CEO.
• Video interview with Paul Avery. 
•  LinkedIn 

Ben Novello — Chief Development Officer

•  Ben Novello is a 25-year industry veteran and former president of Outback. He developed several successful restaurants and before joining World of Beer, the Arizona State graduate was the CEO of Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza.
• 2015 interview with Novello.
•  LinkedIn 

Andy Zahn — Chief Financial Officer

•  Andy Zahn served as EVP and CFO of WilsonHCG in Tampa before joining World of Beer in 2018. He has a BS focused in Accounting from Indiana University Bloomington. With nearly two decades of financial planning analysis and strategy expertise, the certified public accountant has a vast experience with M&A.
•  LinkedIn 

Donald Everts — Vice President of International Development

• Before joining World of Beer in 2013, Everts was the VP of Operations at Outback for 23 years, where he worked with OSI Restaurant Partners.  
• Responsible for the development of restaurants in over 30 countries, his knowledge of local market implementation of the company's operating brand standards allowed "Outback to become a leader in the casual dining segment World-wide.”
• LinkedIn 

Tony Cline — Vice President of Operations

•  Cline worked as a joint venture partner in Outback Steakhouse for the Maryland area before joining World of Beer. He has served in all facets of the restaurant industry, most notably with Chili's and Outback.
•  LinkedIn 

Jim Pollard — Principal

• Prior to joining World of Beer, Pollard was a former regional joint venture partner for Outback Steakhouse responsible for introducing and developing the Outback brand in both southeast and west coast Florida markets.
• Upon his retirement from Outback, he was the first recipient of The Jim Pollard "Putting People First" Award, which was later turned into an annual award presented to the top-performing area manager in the company.
•  LinkedIn 

Company History and Growth

• World of Beer was founded in 2007 just outside of Tampa, FL by Scott Zepp and Matt LaFon.
• The company's headquarters are in Tampa.
• In 2010, the company's original owners partnered with two former Outback Steakhouse executives, Ben Novello and Jim Pollard to expand the brand to a national chain. At this time, they began franchising.
• In 2012, Zepp and LaFon opened the Pensacola franchise in their hometown and turned over the operations of the larger company to Novello and Pollard.
• In 2013, Paul Avery purchased controlling interest in the company.
• In 2015, the restaurant chain introduced food to the concept in the form of its "Tavern Fare Menu" and saw rapid growth as a result. The company's menu focused on using beer as a main ingredient in most dishes.
• In early 2016, the chain had 77 locations in 20 states and had plans to have more than 100 locations by the end of the year.
• The company did not meet the growth expectations it had in 2016 and that was its peak year in terms of number of locations. In 2017, World of Beer closed many stores and opened 6 new locations, bringing the total to 65 stores in 20 states and three countries.
• In 2018, the company rebranded to World of Beer Bar and Kitchen and had plans to open an additional 12 stores that year.
• Currently there are 53 locations in the U.S. and 4 international locations for a total of 57 locations, showing a decrease from 2017 numbers and expected 2018 numbers.
• As of 2018, about one third of the locations of World of Beer are company-owned with the rest being franchised.

Locations

• World of Beer has 53 locations in the U.S., including 1 in California, 1 in Nevada, 5 in Texas, 18 in Florida, 1 in Wisconsin, 1 in Illinois, 1 in Indiana, 1 in Ohio, 2 in Kentucky, 1 in Alabama, 3 in Georgia, 2 in South Carolina, 4 in North Carolina, 1 in Virginia, 5 in Maryland, 1 in Pennsylvania, 3 in New York, 1 in Connecticut, 1 in Massachusetts.
• World of Beer also has 2 locations in Seoul, South Korea and 2 in Shanghai, China.

Agency of Record and Creative Examples

•  Shifino Lee is the agency of record for World of Beer.
• World of Beer recently posted this creative on its Facebook page advertising a holiday deal that offers a $10 bonus for every $50 in gift cards purchased in November and December.
• The company's website currently features a creative identifying World of Beer as "The Original Craft Beer Restaurant" with the tagline "Drink it In."
• In September, the company posted this creative featuring a new line of cocktails.