Fat Head’s Brewery

Project Overview:

It’s hard to miss the new Fat Head’s in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. The familiar logo calls every day to thousands of travelers from the 32-foot-tall stainless steel fermentation tanks along Interstate 71, shining by day and night with an invitation to stop in for a tasty brew.

It’s not just a building; it’s a marquee brand experience and a new world-class destination for beer lovers.  In fact, as you walk inside it’s hard to believe you’re in a corporate headquarters. And Brewmaster Matt Cole wouldn’t have it any other way.

Cushman & Wakefield I CRESCO is pleased to have been a part in making this vision a reality.

Challenge:

When Fat Head’s Brewmaster Matt Cole first introduced the brand to Ohio, CRESCO was there to help secure the initial 25,000 sq ft brewery operations center on Sheldon Road.

Cole felt the city had been a great partner to them when they were securing that location in that first transaction and as a result was committed to finding a way to stay in Middleburg Heights during this expansion.  George Pofok, CRESCO SVP, worked closely to identify and secure a building site within the city for the new HQ.

Pofok worked on Fat Head’s behalf to negotiate and obtain the prime site along I-71, and work with the city and the state to secure economic benefits for Fat Head’s.  Once everything was in place, he was able to leverage his professional relationships to engage Geis Companies as the builder – one of the few true brewery-construction experts in the United States.

Solution:

Fat Head’s now resides in a brand new, purpose-built 75,000 square foot space, with an option to expand within the building and take over an additional 50,000 square feet.  The facility contains not only the beer hall, taproom and brewery operations but also the corporate headquarters. It’s not unusual to see Fat Head’s brewers working at their craft on the equipment, as well as groups of professional staff holding impromptu collaborative meetings throughout the facility.

Results Achieved:

The new facility has allowed Cole to double Fat Head’s production capacity immediately, creating 74 new jobs while servicing and expanding sales territory.  With an option to take over an additional 50,000 square feet of space, Fat Head’s is now capable of expanding to 125,000 barrels per year and ensure the brand’s future success.