José Andrés has named Sam Bakhshandehpour as global chief executive officer of José Andrés Group. In this role, he will work closely with Ron Parker, president and chief operating officer, and Nester Nova, chief financial officer.
"Sam understands the power of restaurants to transport us, for food to be the language of connection, and how we can be a part of communities in a meaningful way, all over the world," Andrés said in a statement.
The company also announced that chef Rick Billings has been named chief culinary officer and chef Carles Tejedor is the new chief creative officer.
Additionally, new board of directors include Justin Heyman, managing director at global investment firm RockCreek, and Carlota Andrés, senior associate of partnerships at Wonder. RockCreek is partnering with JAG to support the company’s next phase of growth. In a statement, Heyman said JAG is a “model of how the food and hospitality industry can both be a great business and change the world for the better.”
Andrés will continue to serve as founder/executive chairman of JAG, which includes nearly 40 restaurant concepts in Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Washington D.C, The Bahamas and Dubai. It also includes José Andrés Media, formed in 2021.
"José's vision of food as an agent of change has had an undeniable impact globally," Bakhshandehpour said in a statement. "Staying true to our higher purpose is crucial at this inflection point in our growth trajectory, which is what unites our talented team and attracts like-minded partners."
JAG recently announced its first development project with Hyatt Hotels, as well as new plans to partner on its first waterfront residential development project in West Palm Beach at Olara. This summer, JAG plans to open the first concept with Simon Property Group, Bazaar Mar and Bar Centro at The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas. It will be followed by The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, California. Meanwhile, JAG plans to expand its existing concepts. EagleBank is leading debt refinancing for the company.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
