COLUMBUS Ohio G&R Acquisition Inc., which struck a deal several days ago to buy Max & Erma’s, may be negotiating to buy the 80-unit Damon’s Grill casual chain, according to a published report.
Officials at Damon’s, which has been attempting to reposition itself since its purchase two years ago by Alliance Development Holdings of Charlotte, N.C., could not be reached for comment. Damon’s has been without a chief executive since last December, when Carl Howard stepped down, citing personal reasons.
Damon’s said in a statement that it and Alliance are exploring some strategic options for the company’s future but did not elaborate. The statement noted that a new restaurant is on schedule to open in June in Akron, Ohio, and that new home offices are expected to be completed this month.
G&R, headed by Pittsburgh restaurateur Gary Reinert Sr., agreed to pay $10.2 million for 107-unit Max & Erma’s in a deal that will take the public company private.
News of G&R’s possible interest in Damon’s was first reported by The Columbus Dispatch, a newspaper in Columbus, Ohio, where both Damon’s and Max & Erma’s are based.
