Jester Concepts

What Jester Concepts does

Jester Concepts is a Minnesota-owned hospitality company founded in 2008 that operates a portfolio of 10+ distinct restaurant concepts across the Twin Cities metro area. The portfolio includes steakhouses (P.S. Steak, Butcher & the Boar), cocktail bar and burger destinations (Parlour Minneapolis, Parlour St. Paul, Parlour Excelsior), a neighborhood eatery (Starling), Asian noodle concept (Shiki), American comfort food (Mirabelle), barbecue (Char Bar), bakery-cafes (Rustica Bakery with three locations), fried chicken (Revival), and a mobile food truck (Parlour Food Truck). The company generates transaction-fee revenue from food and beverage sales, private event hosting across 8-250+ guest capacity, off-site catering, gift card sales, and $95/person cocktail classes. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through dine-in, OpenTable reservations, Tripleseat event bookings, and Toast Tab gift cards.

The business model emphasizes location-inspired concept development, with each restaurant designed to complement its specific neighborhood. Jester Concepts pursues active M&A as a growth lever, having acquired Butcher & the Boar in 2021, Rustica Bakery in November 2024, and the Revival brand in July 2025, while concurrently opening new greenfield locations in suburban and exurban submarkets (Edina, Excelsior). The company is owned and operated by founders Brent Frederick (Owner/Chief Manager) and Mike DeCamp (Owner/Operations Director), with a senior leadership team spanning HR, Marketing, Hospitality, Culinary, and Events. There is no indication of external institutional capital, public listing, or parent company ownership.

Name

Jester Concepts

Legal name

Jester Concepts

Website

https://jesterconcepts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Jester Concepts is a Minnesota-owned hospitality company operating 10+ restaurant concepts across the Twin Cities since 2008, serving general consumers and private event hosts through dining, catering, and food truck operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Restaurant and Hospitality Services

NAICS

Limited-Service Restaurants (722513), Caterers (722320), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Casual Dining Restaurants (THAFACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Occasion & Destination Restaurants (THAFACAK), Sandwiches & Wraps Fast Casual (THAFABAG), Chicken Concepts (Fried/Grilled/Hot Chicken) (THAFABAI), All-Day Dining Restaurants (THAFACAJ), Catering & Events Food Service (EDALADAC)

Keywords

• Restaurant concepts
• Hospitality services
• Private dining events
• Cocktail bars
• Bakery cafe

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Sales: Core revenue from restaurant dining operations across all concepts including Parlour, P.S. Steak, Butcher & the Boar, Starling, Mirabelle, Shiki, and Char Bar. Revenue generated from menu sales including appetizers, entrees, cocktails, and desserts.
2. Private Events and Catering: Revenue from hosting private events including buyouts, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, holiday parties, and weddings. Food truck catering services for private events and local breweries.
3. Gift Cards: Digital and physical gift card sales through their website and at restaurant locations.
4. Cocktail Classes: Private cocktail education classes offered at $95/person, including 2-hour demonstration and 6 cocktail presentations with light snacks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Jester Concepts is a Minnesota-owned hospitality company that operates a portfolio of distinct restaurant concepts across the Twin Cities metro area, including steakhouses, cocktail bars, burger destinations, neighborhood eateries, a noodle bar, and bakery-cafes. The company also offers private event hosting, food truck catering, and cocktail classes across its locations. Each concept is designed to complement and be inspired by the neighborhood in which it is housed.

Product overview

Jester Concepts is a Minnesota-owned hospitality company founded in 2008, operating a portfolio of distinct restaurant concepts in the Twin Cities area. The portfolio includes steakhouses (P.S. Steak, Butcher & the Boar), cocktail bars and burger destinations (Parlour Minneapolis, Parlour St. Paul, Parlour Excelsior), a food truck (Parlour Food Truck), neighborhood eateries (Starling, Mirabelle), a noodle bar (Shiki), and acquired brands (Rustica Bakery & Cafe, Revival fried chicken). The company also offers private event services including venue buyouts, semi-private dining rooms, and cocktail classes across its locations. Concepts are designed to complement and be inspired by their specific locations and neighborhoods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Parlour: Cocktail bar and burger restaurant concept featuring craft cocktails and the famous Parlour Burger
• P.S. Steak
• Butcher & the Boar
• Starling
• Shiki
• Mirabelle
• Rustica Bakery & Cafe
• Char Bar
• Revival

Products and services

• P.S. Steak Steakhouse restaurant located at 510 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis, occupying the historic space formerly La Belle Vie. Redefines the steakhouse experience while honoring the legacy of the original French restaurant. Features dry-aged cuts, cocktail lounge, and private dining spaces for individual diners and private events.
• Parlour Minneapolis Cocktail bar and burger destination at 730 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis. Lower-level bar featuring craft cocktails with foundation in classics. Known for the Parlour Burger (Twin Cities Best Burger) and intimate atmosphere for individual diners and private events.
• Parlour St. Paul Diner and cocktail bar at 267 West 7th St, St. Paul. Features four distinct spaces: Minnesota Room, Diner, Lounge, and Cocktail Bar. West 7th Finer Diner serving eggs all day to boozy milkshakes for individual diners and private events.
• Parlour Excelsior Cocktail bar at 200 Water St, Excelsior. Features fireplace, tufted banquettes, small lounge tables and friendly bar. Parlour's craft cocktail menu has foundation in classics with new creative takes for individual diners and private events.
• Parlour Food Truck Mobile food truck launched in 2020, bringing the Parlour Burger to the road. Available for catering corporate events, private celebrations, weddings and graduation parties. Features Parlour Burger, Chicken Sandwich, Veggie Burger, and Old Fashioned bar for off-site catering.
• Butcher & the Boar Meat-centric steakhouse at 901 N 3rd St Suite 195, Minneapolis. Features creative distinctive menu options, semi-private event rooms (Riebel Room, Alder Room, Shadow Room). Can host up to 250 guests for reception buyouts for individual diners and private events.
• Char Bar Bar concept in Minneapolis featuring craft cocktails and casual dining atmosphere as part of the Jester Concepts portfolio.
• Starling Neighborhood eatery at 4925 Eden Ave, Edina, in Maison Green Apartments. Named for the migratory bird symbolizing vitality. Serves cross-continental menu influenced by the Americas, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia. Reception style for 40, seated family style for 30 for individual diners and private events.
• Mirabelle Classic American fare restaurant at 200 Water St, Excelsior. Neighborhood charm with coastal vibes. Menu features timeless comfort food with modern touches, rotating nightly specials including Lasagna, Meatloaf, and Fried Chicken. Full buyout accommodates 75-155 guests for individual diners and private events.
• Shiki Noodle bar and dumpling restaurant in Excelsior. Offers ramen and Asian-inspired dishes with bold flavors and vibrant atmosphere for individual diners.
• Rustica Bakery & Cafe Bakery and cafe chain acquired by Jester Concepts in November 2024. Locations include Minneapolis (3220 West Lake Street), Edina (200 Southdale Center), and Wayzata (795 Lake St E). Known for artisanal breads, pastries, and cafe fare including James Beard-recognized pastries.
• Revival Fried chicken restaurant brand acquired by Jester Concepts in July 2025. Plans include reviving food trucks and opening new locations.
• Private Event Services Private dining and event hosting across all Jester Concepts venues. Includes venue buyouts, semi-private rooms, cocktail classes, and catering. Events are booked with food and beverage minimums for groups from 8 to 250+ guests.
• Cocktail Classes Private cocktail classes offered at P.S. Steak, Parlour, and Char Bar. 2-hour cocktail demonstration with 6 half-sized cocktail presentations and light snacks at $95/person. Great for parties of 8 or more.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Revival (Acquired Brand)coreOthers · 1 November 2024Jester Concepts acquired the Revival fried chicken brand in July 2025, planning to revive food trucks and open new locations. This acquisition brings the popular fried chicken concept back under new ownership after its closure.
• Rustica Bakery & Cafe (Acquired Brand)coreOthers · 1 November 2024Jester Concepts acquired Rustica Bakery & Cafe in November 2024, taking ownership of multiple locations including Minneapolis, Edina, and Wayzata. The bakery is known for its James Beard-recognized pastries.
• Aim Higher FoundationminorOthersNonprofit dedicated to expanding access to quality Catholic K-8 education for children from low-income and working-class families across the Twin Cities through need-based scholarships.
• Masonic Children's HospitalminorOthersPartnership providing food, funds, and space to support pediatric care and family support programs at the hospital.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Union Square Hospitality Group: Danny Meyer's multi-concept restaurant group (Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Shake Shack parent until spin-off). Broader incumbent comparable in founder-led, location-inspired restaurant portfolio with strong private-event and catering operations.
• Shake Shack: Public fast-casual burger brand with growing event/catering business. Comparable to the Parlour burger concept and the Parlour Food Truck's catering-driven mobile operations.
• Ruth's Chris Steak House: National fine-dining steakhouse chain with private dining and event programming. Comparable to P.S. Steak and Butcher & the Boar at the format level, though operates nationally rather than regionally.

Direct peers

• Punch Bowl Social: Multi-concept eatertainment operator running food-and-bowl concepts with private event programming. Comparable to Jester Concepts in combining restaurant operations with private event revenue streams at venue scale (up to 250+ guests).
• The Boka Group: Chicago independent restaurant group (Boka, Girl & the Goat, Momotaro) led by chefs Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz. Comparable to Jester Concepts as a chef-driven, founder-owned multi-concept group with private events and acclaimed fine-dining brands.
• D'Amico & Sons: Twin Cities hospitality group founded by the D'Amico family, operating multiple restaurant concepts (D'Amico Cucina, Yen, Butera). Direct regional peer to Jester Concepts with shared Minnesota market and similar multi-brand fine-dining orientation; co-owner Mike DeCamp trained under D'Amico's Tim McKee.
• Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises: Chicago-based multi-concept independent restaurant group operating 60+ restaurants across diverse formats (steakhouse, casual dining, fast-casual). Closest comparable to Jester Concepts in business model — founder-led, multi-brand, private, location-inspired concepts with private events.

Others

• Toast (POS platform): Restaurant technology platform used by Jester Concepts for gift card sales (order.toasttab.com/egiftcards/jester-gift-cards). Indirect ecosystem enabler rather than a peer, included for restaurant-industry context.
• Bon Appétit Management Company: Specialty food services operator focused on catering and event-driven food service. Comparable to Jester Concepts' catering, private events, and cocktail-class revenue streams as a special food services business.

Regional players

• Caribou Coffee: Minnesota-founded coffee and bakery-cafe chain. Comparable to Rustica Bakery & Cafe at the bakery-cafe format level; shares Twin Cities regional market presence but operates as a much larger national chain.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/jesterconcepts
• Instagraminstagram.com/jesterconcepts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jester-concepts
• YouTubeyoutube.com/jesterconcepts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Jester Concepts