When Finney’s Crafthouse began in 2016, it did so with a mission to create memorable experiences, says Brad Finefrock, who directs business development for the Southern California–based brand.
More specifically, that translates to 50 made-from-scratch burgers, sandwiches, steaks, tacos, pizzas, and salads at a value-oriented price range, 30 local craft beers on tap, and other specialty drinks. The target demographic has no limits, Finefrock says, ranging from “mini Finney’s” all the way up to grandparents.
“The NextGen Casual concept or moniker really resonated well with us because we’ve been trying to pinpoint who we are and why we’ve seen initial good success and a good following behind us,” Finefrock says. “And I think there’s a lot of consumers out there nowadays that are looking for concepts like ours that are specialized, have great food, great service, but it’s casual, it’s fun, it’s modern, and it appeals to all generations.”
Finney’s was established by Finefrock’s twin brother, Greg, who has decades of restaurant experience, including franchise development for Baja Fresh and The Counter. Brad Finefrock was initially a silent investor, but eventually came onboard to help with growth, while Greg focuses on day-to-day operations and fine-tuning financials.
Since opening the first location in Westlake Village, Finney’s has expanded to seven locations in the past six years, including debuts in Burbank and Porter Ranch in 2021. Three more stores are scheduled to open this year in downtown Orange, Laguna Beach, and Camarillo, and another three are set for 2023.