Chefs International

What Chefs International does

Chefs International Inc. is a privately held, Jersey Shore-based hospitality company that operates 14-plus distinct restaurant and event-venue brands across New Jersey, with corporate headquarters at 62 Broadway, Point Pleasant Beach. Its portfolio spans seafood restaurants (The Wharfside, 9th Ave Pier, Captain's Inn), taverns and sports bars (Rod's Tavern, Moore's Tavern, Anchor Tavern), casual bar-and-grills (Frankie's Bar & Grill, Baker's American, Water Street Bar & Grille), Mexican cuisine (Escondido), barbecue (The Cabin), and dedicated event venues (Harbor Point, The Sunset Ballroom, Patio Bar at the Wharfside). The company serves both year-round local residents of coastal New Jersey communities — including Belmar, Sea Girt, Point Pleasant Beach, Toms River, Freehold, Monroe and Forked River — and seasonal tourists, with waterfront dining, dock-and-dine access, live music and casual bar experiences as recurring themes.

The business generates revenue through three principal streams: (1) food, beverage and cocktail sales across dine-in and take-out operations at each restaurant, (2) gift card sales via a dedicated e-commerce platform redeemable across every location, and (3) private events and weddings hosted at Harbor Point and The Sunset Ballroom. Distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer through physical restaurant locations — no online ordering system or third-party delivery marketplace integration was identified. Marketing relies on per-location Instagram accounts, earned local press coverage, community fundraising events, and a single shared gift card storefront. The technology stack is light: a Squarespace-hosted corporate website, individually branded Squarespace sites per sub-brand, and the gift card e-commerce platform developed and maintained by Netwave Interactive Agency.

Growth has come primarily through acquisitions of established, historically significant local restaurants rather than ground-up development of new concepts: Rod's Tavern was added in 2020, Frankie's Bar & Grill in 2021, and Marina Grille was opened in 2017 as a $6M year-round waterfront build at the Belmar Marina. The company runs an active community-engagement program — Cocktails for a Cause raised $24,000 for the American Cancer Society in 2024, and Patio Palooza raised $18,000 for Mary's Place by the Sea in 2025 — and is actively recruiting general managers, kitchen managers and dining managers for the summer season and announced new locations, signaling continued footprint expansion. Headcount is in the 101–250 range.

Name

Chefs International

Legal name

Chefs International Inc.

Website

https://chefsinternationalnj.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Chefs International Inc. is a privately held Jersey Shore hospitality company operating 14-plus restaurant and event-venue brands across coastal New Jersey, serving local residents and tourists with seafood, tavern, casual grill, Mexican, barbecue, and waterfront event concepts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Casual Dining Restaurants and Event Venues

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Occasion & Destination Restaurants (THAFACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Steakhouses & Seafood Restaurants (THAFACAE), Ethnic & Regional Cuisine Restaurants (THAFACAD)

Keywords

• Casual dining restaurants
• Waterfront dining venues
• Private event catering
• Wedding and banquet venue
• Restaurant gift cards

Headquarters

HQ city

Point Pleasant Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Sales: Core revenue from operating multiple restaurant concepts offering dine-in, take-out, and catering services. Revenue generated from food, beverages, cocktails, and specialty drinks across 14+ unique restaurant locations.
2. Gift Cards: Physical and electronic gift cards sold for use at any Chefs International location. Gift cards are sold as pre-paid cards with stored value for future redemption.
3. Private Events and Weddings: Harbor Point venue and The Sunset Ballroom generate revenue from hosting private events, weddings, and special occasions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chefs International operates a multi-concept hospitality group of 14+ restaurants, taverns, bars, and event venues along the New Jersey coast, offering dine-in, take-out, catering, live entertainment, private events, weddings, and a gift card program redeemable across all locations. The portfolio spans waterfront seafood houses, sports bars, Mexican cuisine, barbecue, and historic taverns, each operated under its own branded identity with a dedicated website and Instagram presence.

Product overview

Chefs International is a Jersey Shore-based hospitality company operating a portfolio of 14+ distinct restaurant and event venue brands across New Jersey. The company offers diverse dining concepts including seafood restaurants (The Wharfside, 9th Ave Pier, Captain's Inn), taverns and sports bars (Rod's Tavern, Moore's Tavern, Anchor Tavern), casual bar and grills (Frankie's Bar & Grill, Baker's American, Water Street Bar & Grille), Mexican cuisine (Escondido), barbecue (The Cabin), and event venues (Harbor Point, The Sunset Ballroom, Patio Bar at the Wharfside). The company also provides a gift card service redeemable across all locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 9th Ave Pier: Outdoor restaurant and bar located on the pier at the Belmar Marina featuring summer sunsets, live music, casual summer fare, rum buckets, and specialty cocktails.
• Marina Grille
• Anchor Tavern
• Rod's Tavern
• Frankie's Bar & Grill
• The Wharfside Seafood & Patio Bar
• Patio Bar at the Wharfside
• Harbor Point
• Water Street Bar & Grille
• The Cabin Restaurant
• Escondido Mexican Cuisine & Tequila Bar
• Moore's Tavern & Sports Bar
• Baker's American Bar & Grille
• Captain's Inn & Tiki Bar

Products and services

• 9th Ave Pier Outdoor restaurant and bar located on the pier at the Belmar Marina, offering summer sunsets, shore atmosphere, live music, casual summer fare menu, famous rum buckets, and specialty cocktails. Serves individual consumers and tourists visiting the Jersey Shore.
• Marina Grille Large open-air restaurant open year-round with waterfront views, expansive deck seating, tiki bar, fresh seafood, gourmet pizza, and specialty cocktails. Serves individuals, families, and groups seeking waterfront dining.
• Anchor Tavern Beach town tavern in downtown Belmar, best known for rotisserie chicken, late night bites, heated outdoor bar, and family-style chicken meals. Offers dine-in or take-out service for individual consumers and families.
• Rod's Tavern Sea Girt community tavern established in 1981 with fresh coastal casual atmosphere, open-air year-round dining, classic tavern setting, and garden bar area with covered outdoor bar and table seating. Serves individual consumers and local community.
• Frankie's Bar & Grill Cheerful bar and grill in Point Pleasant Beach, known for nostalgic atmosphere, famous 10 oz. burgers, and hometown comfort food. Serves individual consumers, families, and visitors to Point Pleasant Beach.
• The Wharfside Seafood & Patio Bar Point Pleasant Beach icon since 1963 featuring locally sourced seafood dishes, summer comforts, creative cocktails, and the Jersey Shore's best fresh catch straight from the company's own docks. Serves individual diners, families, and visitors.
• Patio Bar at the Wharfside Outdoor patio bar at the Wharfside location offering casual seafood fare, famous rum buckets, and live music from local bands and performers on the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach. Serves individual consumers, tourists, and groups seeking live entertainment.
• Harbor Point Jersey Shore waterfront wedding and event venue offering a unique blend of sophistication and charm for intimate gatherings or grand affairs. Serves brides, grooms, wedding planners, and private event hosts.
• Water Street Bar & Grille Restaurant located across from Huddi Park in downtown Toms River with expansive indoor dining, waterfront deck seating, dock-and-dine fresh seafood, live music, and indoor sports bar open year-round. Serves local residents, boaters, and visitors.
• The Cabin Restaurant Historic inland restaurant built in 1982 offering authentic barbecue, classic comforts, and casual dining as a Jersey Shore inland oasis. Serves individual consumers and families seeking barbecue and comfort food.
• Escondido Mexican Cuisine & Tequila Bar Mexican cuisine restaurant and cantina in Freehold, NJ, offering dishes using freshest ingredients with over 200 agave-based spirits for sipping or hand-muddled cocktails. Serves individual consumers seeking Mexican cuisine and tequila selection.
• Moore's Tavern & Sports Bar Historic Freehold tavern and sports bar dating back to the Revolutionary War, with preserved 1770 bar area, array of wide screen TVs for sports games, live music, and burgers. Serves sports fans, history enthusiasts, and local community.
• Baker's American Bar & Grille American restaurant located in Monroe, NJ off Highway RT 33, offering American menu favorites including burgers, beers, and brick-oven pizzas in a family-friendly setting. Serves locals and passersby.
• Captain's Inn & Tiki Bar

Quantifiable outcome

• $24,000 raised for American Cancer Society's breast cancer research through Cocktails for a Cause 2024 initiative
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered community and minor.

• American Cancer SocietycommunityOthersChefs International partnered with American Cancer Society for 'Cocktails for a Cause' initiative in October 2024 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). Six restaurants donated 100% of proceeds from two signature drinks (Pink Paloma and Rosé Sangria) to breast cancer research.
• Mary's Place by the SeacommunityOthersMary's Place by the Sea, a local nonprofit helping women with cancer through integrative services, was the beneficiary of Patio Palooza 2025. The event raised $18,000 to support their mission.
• Local Bands and MusiciansminorOthers18 local Jersey Shore bands donated their time and talents to perform at Patio Palooza 2025, including The Mike Dalton Band, Undisputed, Eddie Testa, The Snakes, and others.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hillstone Restaurant Group: Private multi-concept operator of upscale-casual restaurants (Hillstone, Houston's, Bandera, R+D Kitchen). Comparable as a privately held hospitality group running multiple full-service concepts with strong unit economics and destination positioning.
• Landry's Inc. Privately held multi-concept restaurant, entertainment, and hospitality operator (owned by Tilman Fertitta) running dozens of brands including Chart House, Bubba Gump, Mastro's, and Rainforest Cafe. Closest analog to Chefs International's multi-brand casual dining + destination venue model with waterfront concepts.
• Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises: Chicago-based private multi-concept restaurant group operating 60+ venues across diverse cuisines. Comparable as a privately held operator that grows via launching and acquiring distinct restaurant brands under one umbrella, with event/private dining capabilities.
• Specialty Restaurant Corporation: Private multi-concept restaurant group operating destination dining venues (The Summit House, McCormick & Schmick's, etc.). Comparable as a privately held operator focused on destination/special-occasion dining with waterfront and view-oriented locations.
• J. Alexander's Holdings: Multi-concept upscale casual dining operator (J. Alexander's, Stoney River, Redlands Grill, Black Angus). Comparable as a smaller-scale multi-concept full-service restaurant group focused on destination dining experiences.
• The ONE Group Hospitality: Public multi-concept restaurant and hospitality operator (STK Steakhouse, Benihana, Kona Grill) with strong event and private dining revenue. Comparable business model combining full-service restaurants with high-volume private events and banqueting.

Broad incumbents

• Darden Restaurants: Largest U.S. full-service restaurant operator (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris). Comparable as a multi-concept full-service dining platform with strong event/private dining capabilities at scale, though substantially larger.
• Brinker International: Public multi-concept casual dining operator (Chili's Grill & Bar, Maggiano's Little Italy). Comparable multi-brand full-service restaurant model, though substantially larger and more nationally distributed than Chefs International.
• Bloomin' Brands: Public multi-concept casual dining operator (Outback, Carrabba's, Bonefish Grill, Fleming's). Relevant as a publicly traded scaled multi-brand full-service restaurant group, though much larger and more geographically diverse than Chefs International.

Regional players

• Benihana: Teppanyaki-style Japanese steakhouse chain operating destination dining venues across the U.S. Comparable as a full-service restaurant operator with strong experiential dining positioning, though focused on a single cuisine format.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chefs-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Chefs International