Mike Curtis

For a company that says it's taking a more conservative approach during the recession, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group is continuing to grow domestically and internationally.

Chattanooga-based Gordon Biersch is bringing its dining experience to Atlanta's Buckhead area, Dallas and Taichung, Taiwan.

Allen Corey, chief executive of the restaurant group, said plans to turn a Rock Bottom eatery in Buckhead into a Gordon Biersch unit make sense.

"With the addition of new high-end hotels, apartments and business offices in the surrounding development and area, this was the perfect time to introduce our upscale casual Gordon Biersch concept," he said.

Mr. Corey said current patrons of the Buckhead site will see noticeable upgrades in the menu, beer offerings and decor package with the July 13 changeover.

Staff Photo by Tim Barber Waitress Kristi Jones keeps a lunch group’s drinks filled at the Big River Grille on Broad Street. Steve Cobb, left center, listens to conversation from Robert Giles as Ms. Jones reaches between Mr. Giles and Kristine Smilie, right.

Gordon Biersch's Dallas location is on track to open in November in the Park Lane development, which features retail, hotel and entertainment venues on 33 acres downtown.

Mike Curtis, the company's vice president of marketing, said the company typically invests about $3 million to $4 million in a new unit.

A second Taiwan Gordon Biersch-licensed unit opened this month in Taichung, a city of over 1 million people in the west-central part of the island.

According to the company, a Gordon Biersch restaurant that opened in Taipei in the spring 2008 has met or exceeded expectations.

Additionally, there could be further expansion in the Asia market, with Gordon Biersch in mainland China within five years, Mr. Curtis said.

"We see it growing," he said.

Mr. Curtis said the company is trimming the number of new restaurants it expects to open in the United States in 2010 -- from four to five units to two to three.

"Some markets are a challenge more than others," Mr. Curtis said.

Mr. Curtis wouldn't give overall company sales figures, but he said they've slowed in line with the rest of the industry during the economic downturn.

"Like everybody else, we're watching our costs. We're being more conservative," he said.

Mr. Curtis said cash flow is up over budget projections and profits are higher due to cost savings and disciplined operations management.

The company's restaurant lineup includes, in addition to the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Bluewater Grille, A1A Ale Works, Seven Bridges Grille and Ragtime Tavern.