BBQ Holdings, the owner of Famous Dave’s and Village Inn, has also been experimenting with various prototypes. The revitalization of Village Inn, a casual dining concept, has been a focus.

MTY Food Group Inc. and BBQ Holdings, Inc. today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which MTY would acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of BBQ Holdings for cash consideration of US$17.25 per BBQ Holdings share representing total transaction value of approximately US$200 million.

Famous Dave's parent company recently added Village Inn to the menu at Granite City.

Famous Hospitality, Inc. the multi-brand restaurant company behind restaurant concepts such as Famous Dave's, Granite City Food and Brewery, Real Urban BBQ, Village Inn, and Bakers Square completed the acquisition of Barrio Queen, the Phoenix, Arizona-based Mexican fine-dining restaurant, on April 11th for $28 million.