RMD Group
RMD Group is a privately held San Diego hospitality consulting and venue management firm that helps restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and hotels launch and operate concepts via a proprietary 360-degree methodology, while directly owning flagship venues such as Huntress and Lumi Rooftop Sushi.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What RMD Group does
RMD Group is a privately held hospitality consulting and venue management company headquartered in San Diego, founded by three partners (Dave Renzella, Dan Renzella, and Michael Georgopoulos) who built the business around a proprietary 360-degree methodology covering four phases: Strategy (concept development, market analysis, brand identity), Develop (funding, construction, HR compliance), Operate (daily operations, marketing, accounting, P&L analysis), and Evaluate (competition analysis, audits, strategic planning). The company offers consulting engagements ranging from simple audits to full concept-to-launch buildouts for hospitality operators, and concurrently owns and operates a portfolio of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
Its core products are the hospitality consulting service line and the venue management service line, augmented by a private events offering (rmdevents.com). The company directly owns and operates signature venues including Huntress Steak and Whisky Society and Lumi Rooftop Sushi in the historic Grand Pacific Hotel building, and previously operated Side Bar (now divested). Notable client engagements include HP Investments (Grand Pacific redevelopment), Hard Rock Hotel, Ballast Point Brewing, Kings & Convicts, and Rustic Root. The Lumi concept is co-developed with Michelin-starred Chef Akira Back.
RMD generates revenue through professional services fees (consulting, audits, concept-to-launch engagements) and managed services revenue (direct venue operations, food and beverage, private events). Pricing is bespoke and project-based and not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct, leveraging a website portfolio, a consultation request form, and referral-driven inbound within the hospitality industry. The customer base is segmented vertically into Hotels & Resorts, Nightlife Venues, and Restaurants & Bars, with geographic operations concentrated in San Diego and selected out-of-market projects.
RMD Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RMD Group
- Legal name
- RMD Group
- Website
- https://rmdgroupsd.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- RMD Group is a privately held San Diego hospitality consulting and venue management firm that helps restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and hotels launch and operate concepts via a proprietary 360-degree methodology, while directly owning flagship venues such as Huntress and Lumi Rooftop Sushi.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RMD Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hospitality Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Accommodation (721), Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices (551114)
- SIC
- Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Revenue Management Consulting Tools & Managed RM Services (THALAOAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Corporate Hospitality, VIP Hosting & Client Entertainment (Internal-led) (THAHAIAI)
Keywords
Where RMD Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
RMD Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Consulting Services: RMD Group provides consulting services to hospitality venues ranging from simple audits to fully imagined concept-to-launch engagements. Services include strategy, marketing, development, management, promotions, and accounting support.
- Venue Operations and Management: The company owns and operates hospitality venues directly, including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. They have operated properties like Side Bar, Huntress, and Lumi.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
RMD Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RMD Group provides hospitality consulting and venue management services using a proprietary 360-degree approach spanning strategy, development, operations, and evaluation phases. The firm also directly owns and operates restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in San Diego while offering concept-to-launch engagements, operational management, private events, and ongoing consulting to hotels, resorts, and independent venues.
Product overview
RMD Group is a hospitality consulting and venue management company offering a four-phase 360-degree consulting ecosystem: Strategy (concept development, market analysis, brand identity), Develop (funding, construction, HR), Operate (daily operations, marketing, accounting), and Evaluate (audits, strategic planning). The company also directly owns and operates restaurant and nightlife venues including Side Bar, Lumi Rooftop Sushi, and Huntress Steak and Whisky Society, while providing management services to hotels, resorts, and independent restaurants and bars. Services span concept-to-launch engagements, full operational management, private events, and ongoing consulting for established venues.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hospitality Consulting Services
- Venue Management
- Private Events Services
- Side Bar Iconic nightlife venue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, originally opened in 2003; RMD Group rescued, renovated, and operated the venue, implementing upgrades to sound, lighting, and interior design before selling to a long-time team member.
- Lumi Rooftop Sushi Upscale rooftop restaurant and bar atop San Diego's historic Grand Pacific Hotel building, featuring innovative Japanese cuisine by Michelin-starred Chef Akira Back, handcrafted cocktails, and a uniquely vibrant atmosphere.
- Huntress Steak and Whisky Society Contemporary steakhouse located in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter historic Grand Pacific Hotel building, featuring an intimate mezzanine bar with catwalk overlooking the main dining room and floor-to-ceiling wine display.
- Grand Pacific Room Sophisticated private event space occupying the third story above Huntress restaurant in the Grand Pacific Hotel building.
Quantifiable outcome
- Sidebar achieved peak revenue numbers 15 years after opening, and after the pandemic surpassed all previous records, registering the most profitable period in its existence
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use RMD Group
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
RMD Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
RMD Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kings & ConvictscoreKings & Convicts purchased Ballast Point in 2019 and partnered with RMD Group to create new tasting room concepts. RMD is collaborating with them to develop the persona for new locations from menu to decor to music to uniforms.
- HP InvestmentscoreHP Investments selected RMD Group to redevelop the historic Grand Pacific Hotel building in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. RMD envisioned a multi-concept approach creating Huntress Steak and Whisky Society, Grand Pacific Room, and Lumi Rooftop Sushi. HP Investments trusted RMD to figure out how to put a modern rooftop on top of a 130-year-old building with both amazing design and quality.
- Chef Akira BackcoreMichelin-starred Chef Akira Back partnered with RMD Group for the Lumi Sushi concept. Chef Back brings his stellar reputation for cutting edge cuisine, exquisite taste, and global name recognition. He is on the forefront of innovation and artistry, continuing to push the Lumi concept forward in exciting ways.
- Long-time RMD Team MemberminorSide Bar was sold to a long-time RMD team member who had been successfully managing the venue for years. This represented an internal transition where RMD passed the brand to trusted hands.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights4 records
RMD Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises: A Chicago-based multi-concept restaurant and hospitality group that owns/operates 60+ venues while offering consulting and event services. Most comparable peer to RMD given the combined ownership + consulting model in restaurants and nightlife.
- Hillstone Restaurant Group: A multi-concept restaurant group operating upscale casual dining brands (Houston's, R+D Kitchen) with strong operational expertise. Comparable to RMD's venue ownership and management consulting approach.
- ESquared Hospitality: A New York-based hospitality consulting and management firm providing concept development, operations, and venue management services. Directly comparable as a hospitality consulting and management firm serving hotels, restaurants, and nightlife venues.
- Union Square Hospitality Group: Danny Meyer's hospitality group encompassing Shake Shack, Union Square Cafe, and Gramercy Tavern, plus hospitality consulting services (Hospitality Quotient). Comparable as a multi-concept operator with consulting arm focused on guest experience.
- BR Guest Hospitality: A New York-based hospitality group operating restaurants, bars, and event spaces (Quality Eats, Catch, Beehive) with a focus on multi-concept development. Similar to RMD's strategy of launching and operating multiple venue concepts.
- The ONE Group Hospitality: Owner-operator of STK Steakhouse and other upscale hospitality venues, with venue management and licensing operations. Comparable as a multi-concept upscale hospitality operator with consulting/licensing revenue.
Emerging players
- AvroKO: A hospitality design and concept development firm creating restaurants, bars, and hotels. Comparable to RMD's concept-to-launch consulting work, though focused more on design than full operations management.
- Knightsbridge Restaurant Group: A boutique restaurant consulting and management firm providing concept development and operations support to hospitality clients. Comparable emerging player in the hospitality consulting space with similar boutique-firm positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Sage Hospitality Group: A Denver-based hotel and restaurant management company operating hotels, restaurants, and event venues. Broader incumbent comparable as a hospitality management firm combining venue operations with consulting services.
- Highgate Hotels: One of the largest hotel management companies in the US, also operating F&B venues within hotel properties. Broader incumbent providing hotel management and F&B consulting at scale that could compete with RMD for hotel clients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RMD Group social profiles
Digital presenceRMD Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RMD Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
RMD Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RMD Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RMD Group
What does RMD Group do?
RMD Group provides hospitality consulting and venue management services using a proprietary 360-degree approach spanning strategy, development, operations, and evaluation phases. The firm also directly owns and operates restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in San Diego while offering concept-to-launch engagements, operational management, private events, and ongoing consulting to hotels, resorts, and independent venues.
Is RMD Group a public or private company?
RMD Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was RMD Group founded?
RMD Group was founded in 2006. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is RMD Group based?
RMD Group is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does RMD Group make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are venue Operations and Management.
Who are RMD Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Hillstone Restaurant Group, ESquared Hospitality, Union Square Hospitality Group, BR Guest Hospitality and The ONE Group Hospitality. Emerging players are AvroKO and Knightsbridge Restaurant Group. Broad incumbents are Sage Hospitality Group and Highgate Hotels.
Does RMD Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for RMD Group.
What industry is RMD Group in?
RMD Group's product category is Hospitality Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THALAOAN, Revenue Management Consulting Tools & Managed RM Services, with a secondary code of THAHAIAI, Corporate Hospitality, VIP Hosting & Client Entertainment (Internal-led). Its NAICS code is 721 and its SIC code is 6531.