SPB Now Stands for “Serve People Better”
Everyone loves a holiday miracle story! And that may be the turnaround of SPB, which took over a wide range of struggling brands. The abbreviation stood for “Steak, Pizza, and Beer,” but Josh Kern, the CEO, is now committed to changing its meaning to “Serve People Better.”
That’s what he aspires to do with the diverse brand portfolio of 500+ locations across about 40 states. They include:
- Logan’s Roadhouse
- J. Alexander’s
- Stoney River
- Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom
- A collection of restaurant-brewery brands, including Rock Bottom Restaurant and Gordon Biersch
- A collection of specialty restaurant concepts, including ChopHouse & Brewery, Ragtime Tavern Seafood & Grill, and Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery
SPB Hospitality purchased Craftworks businesses out of bankruptcy for $93 million.
Consumers today have a wide range of dining choices, and legacy MULO (multi-location) restaurant brands often compete with local businesses that appear in searches and generate influencer buzz.
In a recent article in FSR Magazine, Kern laid out some of the strategic imperatives he’s put into place to ensure the survival and growth of brands that have faced bankruptcy in recent years.
Post-pandemic, restaurants like those in the SPB Group needed to get consumers back into their locations and deal with the challenges of talent shortages, real estate and product costs, and changing consumer tastes. By creating a strong internal culture, making tough decisions regarding struggling brands, and giving back to local communities through philanthropic efforts, Kern is optimistic about SPB’s future.
The new meaning for SPB implies that the brand will focus on the people eating and working in their restaurants rather than just what’s on plates — beyond the basics (steak, pizza, and beer).
For more insights into how MULO restaurant brands are innovating and thriving, join us at Street Fight LIVE on September 18th, 2025. Details are coming soon!
