Starwood Unveils Multi-Concept Restaurants

Internationally acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his partner Phil Suarez, hospitality leader Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and top consumer-focused private equity firm Catterton Partners announced they have partnered to create an international, upscale, multi-concept restaurant and licensing business.

The new company will develop, own, operate, manage and license world-class restaurants created by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, including the highly successful Spice Market restaurant located in New York City, plus new to-be-developed multi-unit Jean-Georges restaurant concepts.

Acclaimed by critics as “formidably gifted” and a “residential genius,” Jean-Georges is one of the world´s most celebrated chefs, currently holding an unprecedented total of 20 stars from The New York Times for his seven New York City restaurants. In addition, his Jean-Georges restaurant was recently awarded three coveted Michelin stars.

The new company will serve as a third party development arm for restaurant concepts in Starwood´s upper-upscale and luxury hotel brands including W, Westin, Le Meridien and St. Regis.

Starwood anticipates that Jean-Georges´ restaurant concepts will be attractive to its hotel owners and will help command premium pricing while enhancing Starwood´s brands.