The venerable U.S. steakhouse, Smith & Wollensky, famously described by the New York Times as “the steakhouse to end all arguments” is expanding its global presence.
Dublin based investors, Danu Partners acquired Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, Inc. (SWRG) from Bunker Hill Capital earlier this year.
“Following our first successful international launch in London, we want to bring the unique Smith & Wollensky experience to other key international cities,” said Leonard Ryan of Danu partners. “Our teams in the U.S. and London have worked closely together to build a robust infrastructure and this is a perfect platform on which to build a global business.”
Joining the team will be international development executive Oliver Munday who has worked for the last 20 years in growing U.S. restaurant brands around the world.
“Having completed transactions in over 30 different countries with multiple restaurant brands including Hard Rock, Margaritaville and Planet Hollywood, Oliver brings the contacts and expertise needed to allow us to reach our full potential on the international stage,” said SWRG’s President and CEO Michael Feighery.
“Smith & Wollensky occupies a very special place among the great U.S. fine dining restaurant brands and there is global demand for such a classic American steakhouse experience,” said Munday. “We will only be entertaining a handful of select markets – including Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Dubai and Mexico City – but interest is already strong,” he said.
Since Danu purchased Smith & Wollensky they have embarked upon a program of significant reinvestment in the brand. The new 2015 London restaurant located in the Adelphi building on John Adam Street is evidence of its commitment to the brand’s heritage, while executing a more contemporary interpretation of the classic American steakhouse. Extending global expansion is the next logical step in the brand’s growth.
Similar attention, detail and restaurant upgrades are underway at existing U.S. locations in Chicago, Miami and Columbus, as the company explores additional domestic markets and opportunities for the more casual and social extension brand, Wollensky’s Grill, now open in Chicago.
To learn more about the Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, visit their website.
