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Union Square Hospitality Group
Danny Meyer opened Union Square Cafe in 1985 at 27 years old, changing Manhattan's dining scene and setting the foundation for Union Square Hospitality...
Union Square Hospitality Group
Danny Meyer opened Union Square Cafe in 1985 at 27 years old, changing Manhattan's dining scene and setting the foundation for Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG). The company grew steadily over the next decades, adding Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park (three Michelin stars), Shake Shack, and dozens of other concepts. USHG now spans restaurants, events, consulting, and investment. Its restaurant portfolio includes Marta, Daily Provisions, Ci Siamo, and Manhatta, alongside venues in museums and hotels such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum. The group's catering arm, Union Square Events, serves cultural institutions and sports arenas. Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI), launched in 2017, backs hospitality and technology companies both internally and externally. The consultancy Hospitality Quotient advises organizations on culture and service. Chip Wade serves as CEO. The group operates in New York, San Francisco, and Atlanta. A board includes former executives and investors such as Lisa Skeete Tatum, Clarence Otis, and Robert Steel (per the firm's website). The group does not disclose revenue or AUM. In 2021, USHG opened Ci Siamo in Manhattan West. USHG's structural differentiator is its operating-company-model: it runs restaurants, events, and consulting under one group, then uses EHI to make strategic investments in adjacent hospitality and technology companies. This architecture lets the group deploy operational expertise alongside capital.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
1985
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
New York, NY, United States
Additional offices
San Francisco, CA, United States · Atlanta, GA, United States
Principals
Danny Meyer
Founder & Executive Chairman
Chip Wade
Chief Executive Officer
Tiffany Daniele
Chief Financial Officer
Patti Simpson
Chief Administrative Officer
Kelly MacPherson
Chief Supply Chain and Technology Officer
John Ragan
President, USHG Restaurants
Elizabeth Huh
General Counsel
Rachel Kornafel
Chief Brand Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Union Square Hospitality Group?
Danny Meyer is Founder & Executive Chairman. Chip Wade is CEO. Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI), the strategic investment arm, was launched in 2017, but named investment leadership is not publicly disclosed. The board includes outside members such as Lisa Skeete Tatum and Robert Steel.
How does USHG source proprietary deal flow?
USHG sources deals through its operating businesses — restaurants, events, and consulting — and through EHI's network. EHI looks at hospitality and technology companies that align with the group's values and operational expertise (per the firm's website).
Is USHG structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a restaurant group?
USHG is primarily a restaurant operating group, not a family office. It operates restaurants, catering, and consulting. Enlightened Hospitality Investments is a strategic investment platform, but the core business remains hospitality operations.
What investment stages does EHI typically target?
The firm does not publicly specify stage preference. EHI invests in both internal concepts and outside ventures in hospitality and technology (per the firm's website). No stage range is disclosed.
Which sectors does USHG explicitly avoid?
USHG does not publicly list excluded sectors. Its investment focus, per the website, is hospitality and technology companies that align with its values.
Does USHG participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
EHI makes direct investments in companies. The firm does not disclose fund commitments or co-investment activity.
Where does the underlying wealth come from for USHG?
USHG is not a family office and does not manage outside capital. Its revenues come from restaurant operations, catering, and consulting fees. Danny Meyer's personal wealth stems from his founding stake in the group and Shake Shack, which went public in 2015.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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