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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., September 6, 2023 - Cunningham Restaurant Group (CRG), an Indianapolis-based restaurant group, was named one of America’s Top 25 Restaurant Groups by Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN). The list highlights “those restaurant groups across the U.S. that are blending the creative spirit of independents with the operational and financial scale of chains.”

"We have always focused our efforts and restaurants around the communities we serve. This recognition can be attributed to our passionate team members and loyal guests in each and every market.", said Mike Cunningham, Founder and CEO, "We look forward to many more years of growth."

The NRN announcement comes on the heels of Yelp’s selection of two CRG restaurants in their Top 100 Places to Eat in the Midwest for 2023. Both Livery (#4) and Vida (#29) were added to the list. Both restaurants were previously ranked in Yelp’s 2023 Top 100 Places to Eat list, celebrating must-visit restaurants in communities across the country.

CRG began in 1997 when local entrepreneur Mike Cunningham opened his first restaurant Boulder Creek in Brownsburg. The group features a variety of restaurants from gourmet burgers at BRU Burger Bar to previously mentioned Vida, a fine dining restaurant with an extensive wine list.

“We couldn't be more thrilled to see not one but two of Cunningham's restaurants reflected on Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in the US list for 2023 (Vida and Livery)” said Brittany Smith, Yelp Director of Community Campaigns, US & Canada. “It's clear that the locals and visitors alike can't get enough of those empanadas and ricotta doughnuts." 

The CRG brand features nearly 40 restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio with no end for growth in sight. The group opened 13 new locations in the last five years, including 8 new concept brands, making their total 42 restaurants across three states. 

CRG leadership announced their most unique project in April 2022, Commission Row. Expected to open in February of 2024, Commission Row is a partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and includes 30,000 square feet of dining and entertainment space in downtown Indianapolis. True to the area’s historical roots, the restaurant will offer guests steaks, chops, and seafood with a focus on sustainable offerings from local farms, producers, and fresh-caught seafood.

“Cunningham Restaurant Group has been a cornerstone for Indianapolis' food scene since 1997, catapulting Indy into a top-tier food city and garnering national media attention. As Indy continues to ascend as a must-visit destination, its footprint is instrumental in our city's success story. Commission Row, will add yet again, another pivotal space to convene visitors and culinary enthusiasts in the heart of our city," said Chris Gahl, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Visit Indy. 

The first-of-its-kind venue features a steakhouse, Mel’s at Commission Row, a basement speakeasy, that will showcase gourmet bar bites, a vintage ambiance, and an extensive cocktail menu featuring modern twists on classic drinks, wine, and barrel-aged spirits. An upstairs special event space, Above at Commission Row, will be the perfect spot for private dinners and special occasions with a customizable menu, a separate entrance, and a capacity for more than 200 guests.

CRG prides itself on creating restaurant experiences that fit the communities they serve. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Mike Cunningham showed his first entrepreneurial tendencies at the age of eight when he offered to bus tables for waitresses for $2. After attending culinary and restaurant management school in Cincinnati, Mike moved to Indiana and opened his first full-service restaurant.

About Cunningham Restaurant Group
Since 1997, Cunningham Restaurant Group (CRG) has been committed to creating unforgettable dining experiences. CRG owns and operates locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Visit www.crgdining.com to see all locations, make reservations, or explore private dining opportunities.
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