What Clyde's Restaurant Group does

Clyde's Restaurant Group is a privately held, founder-owned hospitality company founded in 1963 in Georgetown, Washington DC, that operates a portfolio of American bar and restaurant concepts across the Washington DC metropolitan area and, more recently, Baltimore. The company runs six Clyde's-branded locations (Georgetown, Chevy Chase, Gallery Place, Mark Center, Tower Oaks Lodge, Willow Creek Farm) and maintains a family of acquired and developed brands including Old Ebbitt Grill (acquired 1970, one block from the White House), The Hamilton (2011, live music venue/bistro), 1789 Restaurant, The Tombs, Fitzgerald's, Rye Street Tavern (Baltimore, 2024), and Cordelia Fishbar (Union Market DC, Nov 2024). An Ebbitt House spinoff is announced for Reston Station, Virginia in 2025. Core offerings span classic American cuisine, fresh seafood, raw bar/oyster programs, craft cocktails, and extensive wine and local craft beer selections, with menu pricing at flagship Willow Creek Farm ranging from $8.99 to $58.99 per item and happy hour discounts of $2-$3.

The business model is a multi-venue, dine-in-focused transaction-fee model supplemented by private event/catering services (managed via Tripleseat), gift card and merchandise e-commerce (Shop Clyde's), online ordering for carryout and delivery (ToastTab and SkyTab), and ghost kitchen operations (Clyde's Kitchens). Customer segments include local DC metro residents and visitors, private event hosters (weddings, corporate events, celebrations with venues accommodating 20 to 250+ guests), and weekend brunch seekers. The company employs 1,001-5,000 people and runs an event-driven plus direct-to-consumer go-to-market with a strong B2C orientation; no franchise or licensing model is in use.

The technology stack is a pragmatic, third-party-only architecture: BentoBox-powered websites, OpenTable for reservations, ToastTab and SkyTab for online ordering and POS, Tripleseat for event management, E2MA for email marketing, and reCAPTCHA for anti-bot protection. A signature differentiator is the Clyde's Farm Program, pioneered in 1986-1987, which was among the first restaurant-driven farm-to-table sourcing initiatives in the DC region and created new markets for local family farmers, with reported incremental sourcing costs of $45,000-$60,000 per summer season. The company is privately held with no institutional investors, has no public revenue disclosure, and has continued to expand via acquisition, greenfield development, and brand spin-offs following the deaths of founders Stuart Davidson (2001) and John Laytham (2019).

Name

Clyde's Restaurant Group

Legal name

Clyde's Restaurant Group

Website

https://clydes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Clyde's Restaurant Group is a privately held DC-area restaurant operator founded in 1963, running 6 Clyde's-branded locations plus acquired brands (Old Ebbitt Grill, The Hamilton, 1789, Rye Street Tavern, Cordelia Fishbar) serving diners, private events, and brunch seekers in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Baltimore.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Restaurant Hospitality Services

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Family-Style Restaurants (THAFACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Steakhouses & Seafood Restaurants (THAFACAE), Neighborhood Bars & Taverns (CRANACAA)

Keywords

• American bar restaurants
• Farm-to-table dining
• Private event catering
• Restaurant group operations
• Craft cocktail bars

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Dine-in Food and Beverage Sales: Core revenue from serving American cuisine, seafood, steaks, cocktails, and wine at six restaurant locations across the Washington DC metropolitan area. Includes brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night service.
2. Private Events and Catering: Revenue from hosting private dining, receptions, weddings, and celebrations with dedicated event spaces at each location. Event packages and catering services.
3. Online Ordering and Delivery: Revenue from online orders placed through ToastTab and SkyTab platforms for carryout and delivery. Ghost kitchen operations (Clyde's Kitchens) launched during COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Gift Cards and Merchandise: Sale of gift cards and merchandise through the online shop. Gift cards redeemable at all Clyde's Restaurant Group locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Clyde's Restaurant Group is a privately held hospitality company that owns and operates a portfolio of American bar and restaurant concepts across the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company serves American cuisine including fresh seafood, steaks, burgers, raw bar offerings, craft cocktails, and an extensive wine program across six Clyde's-branded locations, plus acquired historic DC institutions and new seafood concepts. Ancillary services include private event hosting, online ordering for carryout and delivery, gift card and merchandise sales, and reservations management.

Product overview

Clyde's Restaurant Group is a hospitality company operating a portfolio of American bar and restaurant concepts in the Washington metropolitan area. The portfolio includes six Clyde's-branded restaurant locations (Georgetown, Chevy Chase, Gallery Place, Mark Center, Tower Oaks Lodge, and Willow Creek Farm), along with acquired historic properties (Old Ebbitt Grill, The Hamilton, 1789 Restaurant, The Tombs, Fitzgeralds, Rye Street Tavern, Ebbit House) and new ventures (Cordelia Fishbar, Ebbitt House). The company also operates subsidiary services including private event dining, online ordering via Toast Tab/SkyTab, OpenTable reservations, gift card/merchandise e-commerce through Shop Clyde's, and the Clyde's Kitchens virtual restaurant brand. A signature differentiator is the Clyde's Farm Program, a sustainability initiative pioneered in 1986 that sources locally-raised and sustainable foods. The group serves American cuisine with farm-to-table emphasis, raw bars featuring oyster happy hours, craft cocktails, and extensive wine programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Old Ebbitt Grill: Iconic Washington DC saloon, one of the oldest in the city, located near the White House.
• The Hamilton
• 1789 Restaurant
• The Tombs
• Fitzgerald's
• Rye Street Tavern
• Cordelia Fishbar
• Ebbitt House

Products and services

• Clyde's of Georgetown Flagship original Clyde's location in historic Georgetown neighborhood, featuring wood-paneled walls, cozy dining nooks, live music after 10pm, raw bar, and semi-private event spaces. Serves classic American cuisine, fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and an extensive wine list.
• Clyde's of Chevy Chase Maryland restaurant featuring traditional decor with Race Bar (seating 250), Orient Express room, and patio. Known for brunch service, wine events, live music on weekends, and karaoke nights.
• Clyde's of Gallery Place Penn Quarter location near Capital One Arena featuring dynamic sports bar energy with classic elegance. Rich wood paneling, sports memorabilia, raw bar, late-night service, and multiple private event spaces accommodating up to 200 guests.
• Clyde's at Mark Center Alexandria, Virginia location decorated with sporting life on the water theme and koi pond. Features Chesapeake Room, Crew Bar, Atrium & Wharf Bar, multiple dining rooms, and outdoor patio. Lunch, dinner, and brunch service.
• Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge Rockville, Maryland restaurant in 200-year-old Vermont timber barn overlooking 21-acre nature preserve. Adirondack Great Camp atmosphere with Saranac Room & Bar, rustic dining, lunch, dinner, and brunch service.
• Clyde's Willow Creek Farm Broadlands, Virginia restaurant in restored farmhouse with antique furnishings. Features multiple dining rooms, Richmond House cigar lounge, farm-to-table menu, and extensive private event spaces including Chandler Barn (up to 250 guests).
• Old Ebbitt Grill Historic Washington DC institution acquired in 1970, located one block from the White House. Oldest saloon in the city, transformed into the busiest saloon in DC and one of top-grossing restaurants in the country.
• The Hamilton Live music venue and American bistro near the White House, opened in 2011. Two-level musical emporium featuring live performances and creative kitchen offerings.
• 1789 Restaurant Historic Georgetown restaurant acquired in 1985, featuring upscale American regional cuisine rooted in classical culinary tradition.
• The Tombs Georgetown bar acquired in 1985 with Clyde's pedigree serving classic bar food, entrees, and homemade desserts.
• Fitzgeralds Art Deco nightclub acquired in 1985 as part of Georgetown properties takeover.
• Rye Street Tavern 12,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant in Baltimore Peninsula neighborhood, acquired in May 2023. Features remodeled kitchen, oyster bar, and expansive outdoor dining with Patapsco River views. Menu highlights fresh seafood and southern-inspired dishes.
• Cordelia Fishbar Seafood-centric restaurant focused on charcoal grilling, opened November 2024 in Washington DC's Union Market District. Features conserva, crudo, and charcoal-cooked dishes with warm, inviting design by Studio K.
• Private Event & Dining Services Private dining and event services offered across all locations with various room capacities. Includes wedding receptions, corporate events, rehearsal dinners, and celebrations. Multiple unique spaces ranging from intimate rooms (20 guests) to large venues (250+ guests).
• Shop Clyde's (Gift Cards & Merchandise) E-commerce platform selling gift cards usable at all Clyde's Restaurant Group locations and merchandise.
• Richmond House Premium cigar lounge within Willow Creek Farm featuring classic cocktails, premium cigars, and sophisticated charm. Open Wednesday through Saturday 4pm to Midnight.
• Clyde's Kitchens Virtual restaurant brand launched during COVID-19 pandemic using ghost kitchen operations from existing restaurant locations. Carryout-only menus designed and tested for delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pioneered local farm sourcing, creating new markets for family farmers starting in 1986-1987, investing $45,000-$60,000 extra per summer season for local produce
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Union Market District (Washington DC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Planned opening of Cordelia Fishbar, a seafood-centric restaurant focusing on charcoal grilling, located in Washington DC's Union Market District. Opened November 20, 2024.
• Baltimore PeninsulacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Partnership with Baltimore Peninsula development for CRG to take over and operate Rye Street Tavern, a 12,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant in the Baltimore Peninsula neighborhood. CRG began significant renovations including remodeled kitchen, oyster bar, and expansive outdoor dining area. Reopened July 15, 2024.
• Reston StationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Announced plans to open Ebbitt House, a spinoff of Old Ebbitt Grill, in Reston Station, Virginia with anticipated opening in 2025.
• Quartermaine Coffee RoastersminorOthersLocal coffee supplier for Tower Oaks Lodge location. Quartermaine Coffee Roasters provides locally roasted coffee in Rockville, MD.
• Local and Regional Craft BreweriesminorOthersPartnership with local craft breweries including Port City Optimal Wit (Alexandria, VA), Silver Branch (Silver Spring, MD), Lone Oak Farm (Olney, MD), and Dynasty (Ashburn, VA) featured on draft menus.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/clydesrestaurant
• Instagraminstagram.com/clydes_restaurant

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clyde's Restaurant Group