Via Twitter today, Joe and Angie Sorge, owners of local restaurants Swig, AJ Bombers, Water Buffalo and Smoke Shack -- currently in development -- announced a new partnership with Marcus Investments, "to create a new hospitality company that merges five great restaurant brands."
The Sorge-owned restaurants join Zaffiros Pizza, another local restaurant Marcus acquired in 2008.
Joe Sorge wrote, "Angie, David (Marcus) and I are excited to continue to bring some of the best restaurant experiences of Milwaukee to you in the same way that we always have, but now as a team. A team with the ability to grow each business carefully with the customer in mind."
Marcus Investments is the business and investment arm of Milwaukee-based Marcus family formed "to acquire, steward and grow the legacies of successful entrepreneurs and families."
The Sorges will continue to operate their three restaurant concepts, as well as any new Zaffiro’s locations. Marcus Investments will provide infrastructure support including strategy and development, accounting, legal, communications and capital resources to the newly formed entity.
In a news release, David Marcus of Marcus Investments said, "This is an exciting merger of two well-known Milwaukee restaurant organizations. Joe and Angie are experienced owner-operators who have developed three unique restaurant concepts. Combining their brands and experience with our Zaffiro’s brand and the expertise of Marcus Investments will create a strong company that is positioned for growth."
Full details on the deal will be announced later, and it is expected to be completed within the next 30 days.
A contest to name the new entity has been created. You can enter the contest and read the Sorge's take on the partnership here.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
