HopCat
Corporate brand
UnclaimedHopCat is a Michigan-based restaurant and bar chain known for extensive beer selections, pub food, and its Cosmik Fries signature side.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
HopCat is a restaurant and bar chain founded in 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Mark Sellers. The brand began with a brewpub-style location in the city’s Heartside district, combining a broad beer program with casual American food and a social, nightlife-oriented atmosphere. Its identity has been particularly associated with a large selection of draft beers; several locations have offered more than 100 beers on tap. The original Grand Rapids restaurant also included a small brewery, reinforcing the brand’s early positioning around craft beer and beer-bar culture. The company expanded cautiously at first. Its second location opened in East Lansing, Michigan, in 2013, five years after the original restaurant. In 2015, BarFly Ventures, the operating company behind HopCat, obtained $25 million in capital financing to support the development of additional restaurants. The resulting footprint extended beyond Michigan into multiple U.S. states, although the chain later contracted and reorganized. Locations were opened in markets including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Florida, and Nebraska, alongside a larger Michigan network. HopCat’s food offering has centered on bar-and-grill staples, shareable items, burgers, sandwiches, and fries. The brand’s former “Crack Fries” became one of its most recognizable menu items and a notable part of its public identity. In December 2018, BarFly Ventures chief executive Mark Gray announced that the name would be changed to “Cosmik Fries,” citing a desire to avoid making light of crack cocaine addiction. The replacement name referenced Frank Zappa’s song “Cosmik Debris.” The renaming illustrates how HopCat’s branding and menu language have evolved in response to concerns about cultural sensitivity. The chain also experienced significant financial restructuring. On June 6, 2020, BarFly Ventures filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Grand Rapids. HopCat was subsequently purchased out of bankruptcy by Congruent Investment Partners and Main Street Capital. The business changed its corporate name to Project BarFly, LLC. In October 2025, Project BarFly was acquired by Chicago-based Uncommon Equity, according to the referenced account. The ownership and operating structure therefore changed materially while the HopCat restaurant brand continued to operate. HopCat has received recognition from beer-focused publications. Its Grand Rapids location appeared among RateBeer.com’s highly regarded brewpubs in the United States from 2013 through 2015. In 2010, BeerAdvocate ranked it third on a list of the best beer bars in the world. These distinctions helped establish the original venue as a destination for beer enthusiasts rather than simply a conventional casual restaurant. The brand has also participated in local cultural and promotional activities. In December 2024, its Detroit location hosted a look-alike contest for Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the football season. Campbell did not attend, but the event attracted contestants and received attention after he commented publicly on the promotional flyers. The contest was won by Jeff Randall, who received a year of free Cosmik Fries and a golden game ball. As of the referenced material, HopCat remains an active restaurant brand with locations concentrated in Michigan and an additional Nebraska presence. The source describes 13 locations having been built by 2026, while a location list identifies current and former restaurants across a broader historical network. Its current proposition combines craft-beer credibility, a large draft selection, casual food, recognizable menu items, and an entertainment-oriented bar experience.
History
HopCat was established in 2008 by Mark Sellers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The original venue was conceived as a brewpub and beer-centered restaurant, with a small in-house brewery and a substantial draft program. Its beer selection became central to the brand’s identity, helping distinguish HopCat from ordinary casual dining and positioning the restaurant as a destination for beer enthusiasts. The first major expansion came in 2013, when HopCat opened a second restaurant in East Lansing, Michigan. In 2015, BarFly Ventures raised $25 million in capital financing to fund further expansion. The chain subsequently entered markets outside Michigan, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Florida, and Nebraska. Several locations offered more than 100 beers on tap, while the food menu supported the beer program with burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, and specialty fries. HopCat gained recognition among beer-focused audiences during its early growth period. BeerAdvocate ranked the Grand Rapids location third on its 2010 list of the best beer bars in the world. RateBeer.com also recognized the Grand Rapids restaurant as one of the best brewpubs in the United States from 2013 through 2015. The brand faced a notable naming controversy in 2018. Its popular “Crack Fries” name was criticized for trivializing crack cocaine addiction. On December 15, 2018, BarFly Ventures CEO Mark Gray announced the name change to “Cosmik Fries.” The new name referred to Frank Zappa’s song “Cosmik Debris” and allowed the company to retain the product while changing the wording used to market it. BarFly Ventures entered a major financial restructuring in 2020. On June 6, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Grand Rapids. HopCat was later acquired through the bankruptcy process by Congruent Investment Partners and Main Street Capital. The corporate entity subsequently changed its name to Project BarFly, LLC. The reorganization followed a period in which the chain had developed a wide multi-state footprint but later closed a number of locations. In October 2025, Project BarFly was acquired by Uncommon Equity, a Chicago-based investment firm according to the referenced material. The transaction marked another change in ownership for the company behind HopCat. The brand continued operating under the HopCat name, with current locations concentrated mainly in Michigan and one listed Nebraska location. The source material states that 13 locations had been built by 2026, while also recording a substantially larger set of former locations. HopCat has maintained a local-event and promotional role in addition to its restaurant operations. In December 2024, the Detroit location organized a Dan Campbell look-alike contest tied to the Detroit Lions season. Campbell did not participate, although he commented on the event and said he might consider competing if there were a legitimate prize. The contest was judged on resemblance, style, energy, and creativity, and was won by machinist Jeff Randall. His prize included a year of free Cosmik Fries and a golden game ball.
- 2025
Project BarFly acquired by Uncommon Equity
[1]Uncommon Equity acquired Project BarFly in October 2025.
- 2024
Detroit Dan Campbell look-alike contest
[1]HopCat Detroit hosted a football-season promotional contest that attracted attention from Detroit Lions fans and local media.
- 2020
Chapter 11 filing
[1]BarFly Ventures filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Grand Rapids.
- 2020
Post-bankruptcy ownership transition
[1]Congruent Investment Partners and Main Street Capital acquired HopCat out of bankruptcy, and the operating company became Project BarFly, LLC.
- 2018
Crack Fries renamed Cosmik Fries
[1]HopCat changed the name of its signature fries to Cosmik Fries in response to concerns about the original name’s reference to crack cocaine.
- 2015
Expansion financing
[1]BarFly Ventures secured $25 million in capital financing for additional HopCat locations.
- 2013
East Lansing expansion
[1]HopCat opened its second location in East Lansing, Michigan.
- 2013
RateBeer recognition begins
[1]The Grand Rapids restaurant began a period of recognition by RateBeer.com as one of the best brewpubs in the United States.
- 2010
BeerAdvocate recognition
[1]The Grand Rapids location ranked third on BeerAdvocate’s list of the best beer bars on the planet.
- 2008
Original Grand Rapids restaurant opens
[1]Mark Sellers founded HopCat in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a brewpub-style restaurant and bar with a small brewery.
Products and positioning
A beer-focused casual restaurant and bar positioned around craft-beer variety, social dining, pub food, and an energetic nightlife atmosphere.
Beverages · 2008
Draft beer program
HopCat’s central offering is its beer-focused bar program. Locations are known for carrying broad selections of draft beer, with several restaurants offering more than 100 choices. The program has historically emphasized craft-beer variety and helped establish the brand’s reputation among beer enthusiasts.
Food
Cosmik Fries
Cosmik Fries are HopCat’s signature specialty fries. The item was formerly marketed under the name Crack Fries until the company changed the name in 2018. The current name references Frank Zappa’s “Cosmik Debris” and remains associated with the chain’s menu and promotional activity.
Restaurant food · 2008
Pub food and casual American menu
HopCat restaurants serve casual bar-and-grill food designed to accompany beer and social dining. The menu category includes burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, shareable dishes, and other familiar American pub fare. Exact menus may vary by location and over time.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Dan Campbell Look-Alike Contest
Detroit, Michigan
HopCat Detroit organized a look-alike contest for Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the 2024 football season. Contestants were judged on resemblance, style, energy, and creativity, with finalists also answering questions from the judges.
Outcome. Jeff Randall won the contest and received a year of free Cosmik Fries at HopCat and a golden game ball. Campbell did not attend the event.
Brand decisions
2025
Project BarFly acquired by Uncommon EquityM&ABackground
Project BarFly was the operating company associated with the HopCat brand after its bankruptcy-related ownership transition.
Action taken
Uncommon Equity, based in Chicago, acquired Project BarFly in October 2025.
Aftermath
The transaction created another ownership transition for the company behind the continuing HopCat restaurant brand.
2020
File for Chapter 11 protectionOtherBackground
BarFly Ventures entered bankruptcy proceedings during a period of substantial restructuring for the HopCat operating business.
Action taken
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Grand Rapids on June 6, 2020.
Aftermath
Congruent Investment Partners and Main Street Capital acquired HopCat out of bankruptcy, and the company changed its name to Project BarFly, LLC.
2018
Rename Crack Fries as Cosmik FriesOtherBackground
The original menu name attracted criticism because of its association with crack cocaine addiction.
Action taken
BarFly Ventures announced that the product would be renamed Cosmik Fries, using a reference to Frank Zappa’s “Cosmik Debris.”
Aftermath
The fries remained part of the HopCat identity under the revised name.
Recent events
Reported
HopCat parent company files for bankruptcy[2]
The article reported that HopCat's parent company was filing for bankruptcy and said the process might allow the downtown Kalamazoo location to stay open.
Reported
HopCat announces temporary closure of all locations[3]
HopCat announced on Friday that it would close all its locations for the foreseeable future after mandated restaurant closures eliminated its ability to generate the money needed to employ staff and serve guests.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Reported
HopCat offers free fries for its anniversary[4]
HopCat announced that it would offer free fries to all guests on January 25 as part of its 12th-anniversary celebration.
Sources6 sources
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