What Clyde's Restaurant Group does

Clyde's Restaurant Group is a privately held, multi-brand full-service restaurant company founded in 1963 by Stuart Davidson and operating 14 distinct properties across Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland, plus a forthcoming fifteenth property (Ebbitt House) in Reston, Virginia, opening in summer 2026. The portfolio spans the core Clyde's American bar and restaurant format at six locations, historic and fine-dining venues including Old Ebbitt Grill (Washington's oldest saloon, est. 1856), 1789 Restaurant, The Tombs, and Fitzgerald's in Georgetown, the high-volume live-music concept The Hamilton, the Baltimore waterfront acquisition Rye Street Tavern (May 2023 / reopened July 2024), and the seafood-focused Cordelia Fishbar opened in November 2024 in Union Market District.

The group generates revenue through transaction-fee dine-in service, private events managed via Tripleseat, online ordering via Toast Tab and SkyTab, third-party delivery through Uber Eats for the District Fried Chicken and District MeltHouse virtual brands, ghost kitchen operations (Clyde's Kitchens) launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, and an e-commerce merchandise and gift card shop powered by BentoBox. The customer base is composed primarily of general-public diners and private-event hosts in the DMV region, with no disclosed enterprise accounts or recurring commercial contracts. There are no proprietary technology platforms, AI/ML capabilities, patents, or institutional investors referenced in the source material; the underlying technology stack is entirely composed of standard third-party restaurant-industry SaaS tools.

Following the deaths of founder Stuart Davidson (2001) and partner John Laytham (2019), the company is led by President John McDonnell with a COO and VP-level executive bench covering finance, HR, culinary operations and purchasing, and marketing. With 736 employees and 14 operating properties spanning multiple price points and concepts, the group's revenue is not publicly disclosed but is plausibly in the $100M-$250M range based on industry benchmarks and headcount.

Name

Clyde's Restaurant Group

Legal name

Clyde's Restaurant Group

Website

https://clydesgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Clyde's Restaurant Group operates 14 full-service restaurant properties across Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland, serving general-public diners and private-event hosts through multi-brand concepts including Clyde's, Old Ebbitt Grill, The Hamilton, and Cordelia Fishbar.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Full-Service Restaurants

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Family-Style Restaurants (THAFACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Steakhouses & Seafood Restaurants (THAFACAE)

Keywords

• Restaurant group
• Fine dining services
• Private event catering
• Hospitality management
• Bar and grill

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Dine-in Restaurant Service: Full-service restaurant dining across 14 properties offering American cuisine, seafood, steaks, and bar service. Revenue generated from food and beverage sales at table service.
2. Online Ordering and Delivery: Takeout and delivery services through proprietary online ordering systems and third-party platforms including Uber Eats. Also includes ghost kitchen operations (Clyde's Kitchens) launched during COVID-19.
3. Private Events and Catering: Private dining room rentals and event hosting across all restaurant properties for celebrations, corporate events, and special occasions.
4. Retail and Merchandise: Online shop selling gift cards and merchandise from restaurant locations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Clyde's Restaurant Group operates 14 full-service restaurant properties across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., offering American cuisine, fresh seafood, steaks, sushi, and bar service through distinct concepts including the original Clyde's (six locations), Old Ebbitt Grill, The Hamilton (with live music), 1789 Restaurant, The Tombs, Fitzgerald's, Rye Street Tavern, and Cordelia Fishbar. The group also runs private dining and event hosting across all properties, online ordering and delivery (including virtual restaurant brands District Fried Chicken and District MeltHouse), and an e-commerce shop selling gift cards and merchandise.

Product overview

Clyde's Restaurant Group operates as a multi-brand restaurant company with 14 distinct properties across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. The portfolio centers on Clyde's American Bar & Restaurant brand (6 locations) as the core offering, supplemented by historic fine dining at 1789 Restaurant & Bar, iconic establishments like Old Ebbitt Grill (America's oldest saloon, est. 1856), entertainment venues like The Hamilton with live music, and newer acquisitions like Rye Street Tavern in Baltimore and Cordelia Fishbar in Union Market. The company also operates virtual restaurant brands (Clyde's Kitchens, District Fried Chicken, District MeltHouse) for delivery, an e-commerce shop for merchandise and gift cards, and private event services across all locations. Ebbitt House, a spinoff of Old Ebbitt Grill, is under development with a 2026 opening planned for Reston, Virginia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clyde's Kitchens: Virtual restaurants launched during COVID-19 pandemic offering carryout-only menus designed for delivery.
• Ebbitt House

Products and services

• Clyde's Restaurant (Multiple Locations) Classic American bar and restaurant concept offering seasonal dishes including fresh seafood, steaks, juicy burgers, and hearty entrees, plus handcrafted cocktails and extensive wine lists. Operates six locations: Clyde's of Georgetown, Clyde's of Chevy Chase, Clyde's at Mark Center, Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge, Clyde's of Gallery Place, and Clyde's Willow Creek Farm.
• Old Ebbitt Grill Historic Washington, D.C. saloon located steps from The White House, serving classic American cuisine including freshly shucked oysters, house-made pastas, and steaks and chops. Features private dining spaces including Rooftop Terrace, Atrium, and Cabinet Room.
• 1789 Restaurant & Bar Historic fine dining restaurant and bar in Georgetown offering elevated American cuisine showcasing seasonal ingredients and innovative flavors, with an extensive domestic and international wine list.
• The Hamilton Vibrant downtown Washington, D.C. restaurant featuring diverse American cuisine, fresh seafood, savory steaks, and inventive sushi. Includes a live music venue with performances and spacious dining areas.
• The Tombs Historic bar and restaurant in Georgetown with a cozy collegiate atmosphere featuring wooden booths, vintage decor, and fireplace. Offers American cuisine including burgers, salads, and classic comfort food.
• Fitzgerald's

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oyster Recovery PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRG partners with Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) for Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration. CRG is named one of ORP's Top 10 Shell Recycling Alliances. Thousands of bushels of oyster shells are recycled, cleaned, treated, and put back into Chesapeake Bay waters. Between Old Ebbitt's annual Oyster Riot event and daily service, CRG aims to recycle over one million oyster shells each year.
• Future HarvestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRG partners with Future Harvest, an organization committed to sustainable agriculture and supporting local communities. Partnership builds a vibrant, sustainable Chesapeake foodshed. CRG team members engage through volunteering at field days, workshops, and events. CRG has a seat at the table at Future Harvest's annual conference.
• Sasha Bruce YouthworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRG partners with Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a beacon of hope for homeless and at-risk youth in Washington DC for nearly 50 years. CRG supports through resources, volunteer opportunities, furnishing new homes for youth exiting homelessness, and career readiness programs.
• Keany Produce & GourmetcoreOthersProduce and gourmet supplier partner committed to operating in the most environmentally sustainable manner. Focus on resource conservation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction while providing highest quality produce.
• S. Freedman & SonscoreOthersFourth-generation, family-owned and operated company established in 1907 in Washington, D.C. Committed to founder's ideals of honesty, integrity, and customer satisfaction.
• Leigh's MeatscoreOthersTrusted meat producer upholding time-honored methods and exceptional standards for meats and sausages.
• Logan's Sausage CompanycoreOthersTrusted sausage producer upholding time-honored methods and exceptional standards.
• Plymouth Beef Co.coreOthersBeef supplier providing freshly ground beef that is never frozen, from ranchers dedicated to humane practices and premium Angus genetics.
• Linz Heritage AnguscoreOthersPremium Angus beef supplier ensuring consistent quality and flavor for CRG restaurants.
• Cedar River FarmcoreOthersBeef supplier from ranchers dedicated to humane practices and premium genetics.
• Copper Creek Cattle CompanycoreOthersBeef supplier from ranchers dedicated to humane practices and premium Angus genetics.
• One Fine ChickencoreOthersChicken supplier raised with care and without compromise, representing highest standards of animal welfare.
• Bell & EvanscoreOthersPremium chicken supplier raised with care and representing highest standards of animal welfare.
• Pangea Shellfish Co.coreOthersSeafood and shellfish partner protecting waters and delivering freshest catch.
• Wellfleet Shellfish Co.coreOthersShellfish supplier partner for fresh seafood.
• American Mussel HarvesterscoreOthersMussel supplier partner for fresh seafood offerings.
• War Shore Trading Co.coreOthersSeafood supplier partner delivering fresh catch.
• Firefly FarmcoreOthersDairy and cheese maker crafting small-batch products for authentic flavor.
• Sweet Grass DairycoreOthersCheese maker crafting small-batch products bringing authentic flavor.
• Grafton Village Cheese CompanycoreOthersCheese maker crafting small-batch products for CRG restaurants.
• Lehigh Valley Dairy FarmscoreOthersDairy supplier providing quality dairy products.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants: IHG-affiliated boutique hotel brand with on-site restaurant operations and banquet/event focus across the US; broadly comparable as an operator of full-service restaurants and event-driven hospitality revenue streams overlapping CRG's private events and venue business.
• Bloomin' Brands: Public multi-concept casual and upscale-casual restaurant parent of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse; comparable as a multi-brand operator with significant steakhouse and seafood exposure overlapping CRG concepts.
• Darden Restaurants: Public multi-concept casual dining parent of Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Eddie V's, and Ruth's Chris Steak House; broad incumbent with overlapping upscale-casual, steakhouse, and seafood segments relevant to several CRG concepts.
• Ruth's Hospitality Group: Operates Ruth's Chris Steak House, a national upscale steakhouse chain with private dining emphasis; comparable as a broader steakhouse and private events operator that overlaps CRG's Old Ebbitt and Rye Street Tavern upscale steak/seafood positioning.

Direct peers

• Hillstone Restaurant Group: Operates Hillstone, R+D Kitchen, Honor Bar, and other upscale-casual concepts across the US; comparable as a multi-brand full-service group with strong design, hospitality culture, and bar-centric dining similar to the Clyde's American Bar concept.
• BR Guest Hospitality: New York-based privately held restaurant group operating American Bar, Smith & Wollensky (historically), and event-focused venues; closely comparable to CRG as a privately held, multi-concept full-service restaurant and private events operator with strong brand heritage.
• Knead Hospitality + Design: DC-based hospitality group operating Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, Equinox, Doi Moi, and other upscale concepts; directly comparable as a DC-focused multi-concept restaurant group pursuing growth through chef-driven concepts and private events.
• Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises: Chicago-based privately held restaurant group operating 60+ concepts across full-service dining, upscale casual, and ethnic cuisine; closely comparable to CRG as a multi-concept, founder-influenced, geographically clustered group with deep private events and banquet operations.
• The ONE Group Hospitality: Hospitality-focused group operating STK Steakhouse, Benihana, and ONE Food concepts globally; comparable multi-concept restaurant operator with steakhouse and seafood focus (overlapping with Old Ebbitt, Cordelia Fishbar, Rye Street Tavern) and active expansion.
• Union Square Hospitality Group: Danny Meyer's multi-concept restaurant group operating Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, and Shake Shack (historically); comparable as a privately controlled, multi-brand, full-service and casual restaurant group with strong NYC heritage and active concept development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ClydesRestaurant
• Instagraminstagram.com/clydes_restaurant
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clyde's-restaurant-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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