Savory Fund

Big surprises. Big checks. Big visions. 🥢🍲 The latest episode of our Restaurantology podcast — how do the kids say? — ate and left no crumbs. 😉 You'll love this chat Andrew K. Smith had with Saigon Hustle founders Sandy Nguyen and Cassie Ghaffar. Listen at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! https://lnkd.in/gcPDPjSq

The Mo' Bettahs ‘Ohana is growing. 🤙🏽 Savory is thrilled to announce that Blue Marlin Partners, LLC and Trive Capital have acquired a majority interest in Mo’ Bettahs. Both Savory and Mo’ Bettahs’ founders, Kimo and Kalani Mack, will retain significant minority stakes. “Mo’ Bettahs is — and always will be — one of my favorite investments we’ve ever made because of the people,” said Andrew K. Smith, managing director of Savory Fund. “We love the culture that Kimo and Kalani Mack created 16 years ago, we love the food that they share as if you are in their own backyard in Hawaii, and we couldn’t be prouder of the partnership we’ve formed.” Savory acquired Mo' Bettahs in 2018, growing the brand from 6 stores to 56 stores. Read all about this landmark deal at Nation's Restaurant News: https://lnkd.in/g9mUBNXe

Swig's 5th annual SAVE THE CUPS is happening this October, and the goal this month is to raise $300,000! The money raised will go directly to women fighting breast cancer to help provide financial relief. Below, listen to Swig founder Nicole Tanner and past Save The Cups recipient, Natalie Neibaur, talk about the campaign this morning on Good Things Utah with Nicea DeGering. They're already over halfway to their goal, so head to SaveTheCups.org to find out how you can join this incredible cause. 💞 💞 💞 https://lnkd.in/gSeWrmYg

Store No. 10 for our beloved Hash Kitchen! Pearland, Texas, you are one lucky town. 🎶 🎉 🍳 Congrats to our partners — Joey Maggiore, Cristina Maggiore, and Flora Tersigni — on this incredible milestone. Honored to be on this journey with you.

Hustlers, ready? Saigon Hustle No. 2 is officially open in Spring Branch, Texas. 🥢 🎉 This is the first Saigon Hustle to open since our partnership with founders Sandy Nguyen + Cassie Ghaffar. And the best part? We're just getting started. 🤝 Read all about the gorgeous new location at the link below! https://lnkd.in/gPT_nMF8

Grateful every day to work alongside Amir Mostafavi on South Block. 🤝 Below, check out his Nation's Restaurant News podcast conversation with Sam Oches. It's a must-listen. 💚

Hot news for our favorite hot chicken hotspot: Houston TX Hot Chicken Brian Simowitz, who most recently served as VP of Operations for Slim Chickens, has joined HHC as its President. 🔥 "Brian is a phenomenal talent and an incredible addition to the HHC team,” said Andrew K. Smith, managing director of Savory Fund. “He is adept at both corporate and franchise growth, and he will be able to take this electrifying brand to the next level." Welcome to the team, Brian! You can read all about the appointment at Nation's Restaurant News: https://lnkd.in/gBmZv8j8

Restaurantology 2024. 🍽 🎉 Two days ago, operators from all over the country congregated in Salt Lake City, Utah, to learn and level up together. And after a jam-packed day of nine sessions with sensational speakers from a variety of restaurant brands, we are figuratively — and literally — well fed. 🤝 Thank you to our partners — Ecolab, The Coca-Cola Company, The Middleby Corporation, Sysco, and Harrington Park Advisors — for helping us make this a FREE conference for operators to attend. Thank you to our 27 speakers for sharing your trials, triumphs, and trailblazing stories. We're grateful for your wisdom and your candor. Thank you to Jeanette Bennett for being the best emcee in town and guiding us through this nine-course meal of a day. Thank you to the hundreds of operators who attended! We know how valuable your time is, and we loved every moment of learning alongside you. Thank you to Mo' Bettahs for the perfect plate lunch and Small Kine Cookies. 🤙🏽 And an especially big thank you to our Savory team members for their help and hustle in putting on this event. Best team in town. 🧡 Until next time, #restaurantology. Andrew K. Smith, Shauna K. Smith

In 2010, John Konyn joined Mo' Bettahs as an hourly employee when it had just two locations. Today, with 55 stores across seven states and positive same-store sales growth for the past 13 years, Konyn has been named Chief Operations Officer. We've loved every minute of working alongside John Konyn since Savory partnered with Mo' Bettahs in 2017. Congrats, John, on the well-deserved promotion to COO! Read more about his appointment on QSR: https://lnkd.in/ggJduj3k

You could say we're the POSTER child for restaurant operator conferences. 😉 Scroll through the preview posters below and get excited for all the Restaurantology topics on the table for Oct. 1. 💡 And operators! If you haven't reserved your free spot yet, what are you waiting for? There are only a few left! RSVP AT: RestaurantologySummit.com Big thanks to our partners who help us make the magic happen: Sysco + The Middleby Corporation + Ecolab + The Coca-Cola Company + Harrington Park Advisors