Who We Are
Local Restaurant Group is Ben Bailey and Chris Collin — operations and systems on one side, property and development on the other — and a small team that keeps all of it running.
Chris Collin
Chris learned the business from the supply side, spending several years at Sysco working with owners on menus and margins before opening anything himself. He opened and ran two pizza franchises, working the line himself most nights, then partnered with Ben to open Local Republic. He is a licensed Georgia REALTOR® and handles site selection and negotiation, for the group and for clients. Outside of work it is family, the north Georgia mountains, and Italy when he can get there.
Ben Bailey
Ben went straight into the workforce out of high school — graphic design first, then twelve years in IT building enterprise systems for companies like Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin and ING. Homebrewing turned into an interest in the business, and he and Chris opened Local Republic. He cooks, has worked every position in the house, and handles menu, recipe and cocktail development alongside the culinary teams at the restaurants. He brings the design and technology side to everyday problems, for our team and for clients. He plays drums, and the rest is family time.
Nicole Harold
Nicole runs the employee side of the business — hiring, payroll, benefits and compliance — plus whatever else needs an owner. Outside of it she bakes for Bruce & Sabby, a small-batch dog barkery named after her own two.