2017 RH 25: Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group

This year, Restaurant Hospitality collected the 25 most powerful multiconcept operators across the country, or what we call the RH 25. With this list, there is no ranking. All 25 are powerful, and all 25 are companies to watch. See all concepts >>

HQ: New York

Leadership: Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Lidia Bastianich, co-founders

Concepts: 28 restaurants in seven states, Singapore and Italy, including Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, Pizzeria Mozza, Del Posto, Felidia, Lupa and Tarry Lodge

Group systemwide sales: Not disclosed

What’s new: B&B Burger & Beer will close in September as the group prepares to open Eataly at the Park MGM in late 2018. B&B Ristorante in Las Vegas, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, will be renovated. Eataly is scheduled to open in Los Angeles this fall.

A partnership that works 

The story of Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, or B&B, began in 1981, when Lidia Bastianich opened Felidia in New York.

She and her son, Joe Bastianich, followed it a few years later with Becco. Then Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich debuted Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca in 1998, and Batali and Joe Bastianich formed what is now B&B.

Del Posto

Over the years, the hits kept coming: Del Posto, Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles and CarneVino Italian Steakhouse in Las Vegas.

The group is also growing the Italian food market and restaurant hub Eataly in the U.S., where it is multiplying with locations in New York, Chicago, Boston and soon Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Batali, of course, has become one of the most recognizable celebrity chefs, appearing on shows like “The Chew.” He is reportedly working on a new show with Zero Point Zero Production, of “No Reservations,” “Parts Unknown” and “Mind of a Chef” fame.

The group is staying mum on what’s coming next, but B&B has an eye for what works.

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