Job 'Well Done': Helping a Steakhouse With Texas Expansion

After nearly a decade building a menu of Denver's most talked-about restaurants, Chef Troy Guard was ready for his next course. For help with that, he turned to Ballard Spahr.

To prepare for the opening of Guard and Grace Houston—a 13,000 square-foot steakhouse that would be TAG Restaurant Group's first location outside Denver—we helped to streamline business operations in Mr. Guard's eight-brand portfolio. Our work included creating a holding company, collaborating with investors in 11 existing restaurants, and leveraging bank debt to position TAG Restaurant Group to take on a new market. The move is a significant step for Mr. Guard. The planned arrival of Guard and Grace Houston received significant fanfare from Texas media, who described it as one of the nation's most praised steakhouses. In addition, Guard and Grace Houston is an anchor tenant in the 3.2 million-square-foot Allen Center in the heart of downtown.

"I'm looking forward to this new chapter for TAG Restaurant Group," Mr. Guard said. "Our restructuring helps position us as a strong Denver business with realistic and ambitious plans to expand."

TAG Restaurant Group was formed in 2009 with the opening of TAG Continental Social Food in Denver's Larimer Square. Guard and Grace Houston is the twelfth restaurant in its brand portfolio.

"Moving beyond the Denver market is a significant step for Troy, but I have no doubt it will pay off," said Damon O. Barry, who led the Ballard Spahr team. "He's shown a lot of ingenuity as he's grown his brand, and I think the future only holds good things for him."