Mad Anthony’s Inc., which does business as Anthony’s Restaurants, has acquired Churchill’s Steakhouse, located at 165 S. Post in downtown Spokane, the Kirkland, Washington-based company has announced.

Bill Alles, now the former owner of Churchill’s, says he decided it was time to sell the upscale steak restaurant he opened in 2007 after dealing with some health issues last year.

“It’s time for me to retire,” Alles says.

Churchill’s is expected to continue to operate under the same name and with the same menu, Alles says. It also will retain its roughly 40 employees under the new ownership, he adds.

The only changes he expects are some minor renovations to the downtown Spokane building.

“Everything that they’ve indicated to me is they’re keeping Churchill’s as is,” Alles says.

Alles says it was important to him to sell to a family business.

“It was important to us that we sell to somebody that was a quality operator, who was buying Churchill’s to keep it Churchill’s, who would uphold the integrity of the product that we sell,” he says.

Alles declines to disclose the terms of the transaction. 

Anthony’s was founded over 50 years ago and now has over 30 restaurants, including Anthony’s at Spokane Falls, located at 510 N. Lincoln, in Spokane's North Bank neighborhood. 

"Churchill’s Steakhouse exemplifies the core values we hold dear at Anthony’s," says Amy Burns, president and CEO of Anthony’s Restaurants in a press release. "Their commitment to family, quality, community, and outstanding service aligns perfectly with our own vision. We are excited to lead Churchill’s Steakhouse into the future."