New York City — Montclair Hospitality Group (MHG), a leading chef-driven, global hospitality group focused on curating unique restaurant brands and experiences, has appointed hospitality veteran Joey Simons to lead the group as chief executive officer. Simons was handpicked by MHG’s founder, Luck Sarabhayvanija, and brings decades of experience, having developed some of the world’s leading elevated dining, food tech and hospitality brands.
With his new appointment, Simons leads all of MHG’s business units, overseeing business development and growth, as well as leading strategy on company operations. In a short span of time he has orchestrated strategic wins for the company, adding top-line revenue and reducing operating costs. Preparing MHG for explosive growth, he has begun assembling a team that resembles a who’s who of the culinary world.
“With our plans for business expansion I knew I needed to bring in the best,” says Sarabhayvanija. “Joey embodies MHG’s path to success and our lead to expand MHG and our suite of dining brands into 2023. Not only does Joey have the extensive experience and knowledge that will put MHG on top, but his passion for the industry is unrivaled.”
MHG currently boasts multiple restaurant brands including Ani Ramen House, Mochinut, pastaRAMEN, Sushi by Bou and Kai Yang with more chef-driven restaurant concepts in development. Under Simons’ leadership, MHG has recently inked new deals to bring MHG’s popular pastaRAMEN restaurant to Seattle, as well as Montclair, N.J. (January 2023) and with partnerships in the works in cities such as Las Vegas and New York City. This follows the recent success of the group’s pastaRAMEN culinary pop-ups in Los Angeles and Miami helmed by Chef Robbie Felice.
Prior to his work with MHG, Simons served as chief operating officer and chief of staff for sbe, the leading pioneer of lifestyle hospitality. As part of sbe’s leadership team, he worked to develop visionary chef-led concepts and led the operations team in delivering award-winning culinary experiences and digital restaurant brands such as Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, Sam’s Crispy Chicken, Kumi and more. Additionally, Simons oversaw the group’s elevated dining concepts leading success for restaurants Katsuya and Casa Dani.
Prior to sbe, Simons served as director of operations for Blue Ribbon Restaurant Group, steering business operations, finance and strategic initiatives for a $75 million restaurant portfolio. He worked to drive revenue, profits and property value, while heading business strategies, leading P&L, budgeting forecasting and overseeing large-scale restaurant buildouts.
Montclair Hospitality Group (MHG), founded by Sarabhayavanija in 2014, is a chef-driven, global hospitality tech company focused on curating unique restaurant brands and experiences. The MHG team creates immersive and high-touch brand experiences that are rooted in service and design to transport guests on a unique culinary journey and to places both familiar and extraordinary. MHG currently operates in New York, New Jersey, California, Miami and with plans for expansion with new concepts in Las Vegas, Nevada and Bellevue, Wash. For more information, visit www.montclairhospitalitygroup.com.
SOURCE: Montclair Hospitality Group (MHG)