Company Information

K.C. Hopps, Ltd. is a restaurant and brewpub management company that owns and/or operates restaurants in Kansas and Missouri. The mission of K.C. Hopps, Ltd. is to build, finance and operate restaurants that surpass guests' expectations while providing a fun and friendly environment.

Financially, K.C. Hopps is committed to provide a strong return on investments for shareholders and partners while creating a fun and exciting experience for all owners. Since its inception, K.C. Hopps, Ltd. has expanded revenues at an average annual rate over 50% and has been noted as one of the areas 100 fastest growing companies. K.C. Hopps, Ltd. has won many local, regional, and national awards including the 1999 Gold Medal at the World Beer Cup for the 75th Street Brewery's Rye Beer.

OFFICERS
K.C. Hopps, Ltd. is a corporate company and has a large group of local shareholders. The company is lead by the following group of individuals:

Edward E. Nelson
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Ed graduated from the University of Kansas in 1989 with a master's degree in business administration. He co-founded K.C. Hopps in 1993 when he opened Kansas City's first brewpub, the 75th Street Brewery. Since then, Ed and others have propelled K.C. Hopps, Ltd. at an average annual growth rate over 50% and the company has been noted as one of the areas 100 fastest growing companies in Kansas City. Ed currently serves on the board of directors for five restaurant-related companies and has consulted on the opening and operations of 22 non-company owned restaurants and breweries. He was a finalist in Ernst and Young's Small Business of the Year award and won the Small Business Administration's 1996 Regional "Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award." In 2002, Ed was recognized as one of Kansas City's top 40 under 40 business professionals in Ingram's Magazine. Ed is also a member of the Helzburg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program and oversees the operations and finances of the company.

Christopher G. Sutton
President
Chris has been in the restaurant & brewery business for over two decades. He began his career in the brewing industry as an integral member of the popular Chicago-based Goose Island Brewing Company management team. Chris was recruited to Kansas City in 1994 by CEO Ed Nelson to join K.C. Hopps, Ltd. as General Manager of the city's first [& best] brewpub - the 75th Street Brewery. Chris' leadership skills found him well-suited as the Director of Operations for K.C. Hopps, Ltd. Soonafter, he was promoted to Vice President of Operations.

Serving as President of K.C. Hopps, Ltd since 2003, Chris oversees the company's operations, consulting, concept development and new project management. Chris is active throughout the industry and community, serving on various industry and charitable boards.

COMPANY HISTORY
K.C. Hopps, Ltd. was founded in 1993 in Kansas City to open Kansas City's first brewpub, the 75th Street Brewery. In 1995 Barley's Brewhaus opened its doors and tapped 99 kegs in Overland Park, Kansas and has expanded its operations since. The company, along with its financial partners, owns and operates 8 restaurants in the Kansas City area.