Old Chicago inks deals for 72 unitsOld Chicago inks deals for 72 units

LOUISVILLE Colo. The Old Chicago subsidiary of Rock Bottom Restaurant Inc. said it has awarded area development rights for more than 72 units nationwide to six companies, including two IHOP franchisees.

Old Chicago Franchising Corp. said deals also were struck with the companies of Jim Burke, a one-time chief executive of multiconcept operator Eateries Inc.; Scott Stevens, founder of the Pizza Pro chain; and Joe Cody, a T.G.I. Friday’s franchisee.

The new area developers, their development targets and awarded territories are: Bistro’s and More Inc., eight to 16 units in North and South Dakota; OC America Inc., 20 units in the California counties of Riverside and San Bernardino; Chicago Central-Ohio LLC, 20 units in southern Ohio and West Virginia and seven more units in parts of Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas; Stefano’s Inc., five stores in Little Rock, Ark.; Cardan Inc., three stores in Spokane, Wash.; and OC Midwest LLC, nine units in northern Indiana.

Currently, the Old Chicago subsidiary franchises about 33 of the chain’s 97 casual-dining restaurants. Rock Bottom also operates 34 namesake brew pubs and four ChopHouse restaurants.