BrewDog has hired consulting firm AlixPartners to oversee a potential sale or restructuring of its global operations, following the closure of two Columbus, Ohio taprooms. The move comes a month after the Scottish craft brewer shuttered its Franklinton and Short North locations, though its central Ohio operations in Canal Winchester and New Albany remain open. AlixPartners will facilitate a competitive evaluation process for the business's next investment phase, which could involve a breakup of the company. While BrewDog USA's U.S. operations continue normally, the restructuring raises questions about future management of its Ohio facilities. The closures and potential sale reflect ongoing challenges for the company, which has faced criticism over working conditions and corporate culture in recent years.

This development follows BrewDog's previous announcements about its U.S. operations, including the closure of Columbus locations that were part of its expansion strategy. The hiring of AlixPartners signals a formal shift toward exploring strategic alternatives, though details about potential buyers or transaction timelines remain unclear. BrewDog's U.S. headquarters in Canal Winchester will likely play a key role in any restructuring, though the company has not specified how the closures might affect its broader North American footprint. The move underscores the challenges craft brewers face in balancing growth with operational sustainability.

The closures represent a strategic pivot for BrewDog, which co-founded by James Watt and Martin Dickie in 2007, has expanded aggressively into international markets. The company's U.S. arm, BrewDog USA, operates multiple locations across Ohio and has been involved in labor disputes that have drawn media attention. While the immediate impact on Ohio operations appears minimal, the potential sale process could reshape the company's global structure. BrewDog has stated its bars and breweries continue to operate as normal, but the involvement of a restructuring firm suggests a more significant evaluation of the business's long-term viability is underway.