José Andrés Group

What José Andrés Group does

José Andrés Group, founded in 1993 in Washington D.C. as ThinkFoodGroup by chef José Andrés and restaurateur Rob Wilder, operates a multi-concept restaurant platform spanning 40+ locations across Washington D.C., New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, Nassau, and Dubai. The portfolio covers price points from the two-Michelin-star tasting counter minibar by José Andrés and upscale concepts (Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel, Bazaar Meat, Nubeluz) through the Mercado Little Spain food hall at Hudson Yards to fast-casual Butterfly. The company monetizes primarily through dine-in service, private events, and catering (transaction-fee model) and is supplemented by a branded consumer packaged goods line, José Andrés Foods, distributed via the company's own e-commerce site, Amazon, Costco, Goldbelly, and Kroger-owned Mariano's and Harris Teeter stores.

A second operating pillar, José Andrés Media (JAM), formed in 2021, produces unscripted and scripted television (Chef's Table: Legends on Netflix, Yes, Chef! on NBC), podcasts (Longer Tables, James Beard Award-winning Pressure Cooker), and bestselling books (Change the Recipe, Spain My Way), generating revenue through licensing, streaming deals, and book royalties. The company also pursues enterprise partnerships that extend the brand into non-traditional venues — most notably Capital One Landing airport lounges at Reagan National and LaGuardia, and an exclusive multi-concept presence at W Nashville opening in 2026.

The company is privately held and founder/management-controlled (José Andrés serves as Executive Chairman, Rob Wilder as Executive Vice Chairman), with no disclosed institutional or private equity ownership. Leadership transitioned in February 2026 when David Strasser was named CEO following Sam Bakhshandehpour's departure. Customer segments span affluent food enthusiasts, event planners, corporate clients, CPG buyers, and travel/loyalty-program members; go-to-market is a hybrid of direct-to-consumer (restaurants, e-commerce) and enterprise field sales (hotel and credit-card partners).

Name

José Andrés Group

Legal name

THINKFOODGROUP, LLC

Website

https://joseandres.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

José Andrés Group operates 40+ restaurant concepts across major US cities and internationally, alongside consumer packaged goods (José Andrés Foods) and an Emmy-winning media production arm (JAM), serving affluent diners, enterprise hospitality partners, and home cooks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Restaurant and Hospitality Services

NAICS

Special Food Services (7223), Food Manufacturing (311), All Other Specialty Food Retailers (445298)

SIC

Retail-Eating Places (5812), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)

akta.pro primary industry

Mexican & Tex-Mex Fast Casual (THAFABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mediterranean/Greek/Italian/Spanish Grocery Stores (CRAHAFAJ), Ethnic/Regional Prepared Meat & Seafood Meals (e.g., Asian, Latin, Mediterranean) (AFANAFAJ), Marinated & Seasoned Seafood (Value-Added Raw/Par-Cooked) (AFANALAE)

Keywords

• Restaurant operations
• Spanish cuisine
• Tapas dining
• Consumer food products
• Culinary media production

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Restaurant Operations: The company operates 40 restaurant concepts across multiple US cities and international locations, generating revenue through dine-in service, private events, and catering. Concepts range from fine dining (minibar with 2 Michelin stars) to fast-casual (Butterfly, Mercado Little Spain).
2. Media and Content: José Andrés Media (JAM) produces television shows, podcasts, and publishes books generating revenue through licensing, streaming deals, and book sales. Productions include Chef's Table: Legends on Netflix, Yes Chef! on NBC, and multiple New York Times bestselling books.
3. Consumer Food Products: José Andrés Foods sells pantry staples including olive oils, sherry vinegars, FishSnax tinned seafood, peppers, chips, and paella kits through e-commerce, Amazon, Costco, and Goldbelly.
4. Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships and event partnerships contributing to revenue, such as sponsorship of Women's Power Series and partnerships with Capital One for airport lounges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

José Andrés Group operates a portfolio of more than 40 restaurant concepts spanning Spanish, Mexican, Mediterranean, and other cuisines across the United States and international destinations. The company also sells consumer food products (José Andrés Foods) such as Spanish-style premium broths and FishSnax, and produces culinary content through its Emmy Award-winning media production arm (JAM).

Product overview

José Andrés Group operates over 40 restaurants across the United States and internationally, spanning diverse cuisines and price points—from a two Michelin-starred tasting counter (minibar by José Andrés) to fast-casual taco concepts (Butterfly) and Spanish food halls (Mercado Little Spain). Key restaurant brands include Jaleo (Spanish tapas), Oyamel (Mexican), Zaytinya (Mediterranean), Bazaar Meat (steakhouse), Bazaar Mar (seafood), The Bazaar (modern American), Bar Centro (cocktails), China Chilcano (Peruvian-Chinese), China Poblano (Chinese-Mexican fusion), Nubeluz (elevated bar), and Mercado Little Spain (food hall). The company also produces consumer packaged goods under José Andrés Foods, including tinned seafood (FishSnax), olive oils, sherry vinegars, and paella kits, available through its own website, Amazon, and retail partners including Costco and Kroger. José Andrés Media (JAM), formed in 2021, produces television content (Yes Chef!, Chef's Table: Legends), podcasts (Longer Tables, Pressure Cooker), and books. The company also offers private events, catering, and gift cards redeemable across its restaurant portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• José Andrés Media (JAM): Emmy-winning, James Beard-winning, and NYT-bestselling production company specializing in unscripted and scripted television series, books, podcasts, and digital short- and mid-form content with a focus on food-related stories.
• José Andrés Foods
• Mercado Little Spain

Products and services

• Oyamel Mexican-inspired restaurant concept by José Andrés Group offering modern interpretations of traditional Mexican cuisine and an agave-focused beverage program. The New York location opened in Hudson Yards in April 2025.
• Zaytinya Eastern Mediterranean restaurant concept serving Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese small plates (mezze) with a focus on olive oil-based cooking. Locations include Washington DC, Las Vegas (opened May 2025), and Nashville (opened February 2026).
• Bazaar Meat Spanish-influenced steakhouse concept offering premium cuts, charcuterie, and seafood in a theatrical dining environment. Operates in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Washington DC (opened March 2026).
• Jaleo Flagship Spanish tapas restaurant by José Andrés Group offering traditional and contemporary Spanish dishes, paella, and jamón ibérico. Multiple locations across the United States including Washington DC, Bethesda, Chicago, New York, and Las Vegas.
• minibar by José Andrés Award-winning avant-garde tasting menu restaurant offering a multi-course creative dining experience with molecular gastronomy techniques, located in Washington DC. Two Michelin-starred concept.
• Mercado Little Spain Spanish food hall and marketplace concept at Hudson Yards in New York City featuring multiple stalls, restaurants, and bars offering Spanish dishes, tapas, and retail products.
• Bar Centro Cocktail bar concept offering Spanish-inspired beverages and small bites as part of the José Andrés Group restaurant portfolio.
• Bazaar Mar Seafood-focused Spanish restaurant concept located in Miami offering José Andrés Group's signature playful Spanish cuisine with an emphasis on ocean-inspired dishes.
• Butterfly

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 Michelin stars for minibar by José Andrés
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered growth, minor and core.

• Grupo GallogrowthStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Spain-based Grupo Gallo partnered with José Andrés to launch premium broth products (chicken, vegetable, seafood) in US retail through Kroger-owned Mariano's stores. Products manufactured at Grupo Gallo's facility in Granollers, Barcelona using proprietary 'Olla Gallo' cooking system. Distribution expanding to other Kroger banners including Harris Teeter.
• Women's Power SeriesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 January 2026José Andrés Group is a sponsor of the Women's Power Series event returning to The Ritz-Carlton South Beach in Miami. Event brings together female executives across hospitality, beauty, wellness, and sports industries. Proceeds benefit Women of Tomorrow mentorship program.
• Rockwell GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2025Rockwell Group serves as creative design partner for multiple José Andrés Group restaurants including Oyamel NYC at Hudson Yards and Zaytinya Las Vegas at Forum Shops. The firm is a New York-based interdisciplinary architecture and design firm that creates dynamic, narrative-driven spaces for hospitality projects.
• Capital OnecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 November 2024José Andrés Group collaborates with Capital One on Capital One Landing airport lounge concept. First location opened at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), second at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Lounges feature Spanish-style tapas, cocktails, and elevated dining. Capital One Venture X cardholders receive complimentary access; general admission $90 per visit.
• W HotelsgrowthStrategic or Co-development PartnerJosé Andrés Group is bringing multiple restaurant and bar concepts (Zaytinya, Bar Mar, Butterfly) to W Nashville opening in 2026. Partnership represents company's expansion into Nashville market with W Hotels as the hospitality partner for development.
• The Forum Shops at Caesars PalacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJosé Andrés Group opened Zaytinya Las Vegas at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in May 2025. The 8,604-square-foot Mediterranean restaurant represents a key addition to the shopping destination's dining category.
• Bilt RewardsgrowthStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer CEO Sam Bakhshandehpour joined Bilt as president of merchants to help build Bilt Hospitality platform. Bilt launched hospitality initiative with AI-powered concierge aggregating guest data from reservations, CRM, POS, and checkout systems to help restaurants personalize experiences. Bilt connects network of 6.5 million homes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Union Square Hospitality Group: Founded by Danny Meyer, USHG operates Shake Shack (now separate), Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, and other chef-driven restaurant concepts with a hospitality-first ethos. Closely comparable as a multi-concept celebrity-chef-driven restaurant group with consumer brand extension.
• Nobu Hospitality: Celebrity-chef-driven restaurant and hotel brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro with global footprint in luxury markets. Comparable as a globally recognized chef-branded restaurant group with hotel/resort partnerships and consumer product licensing.
• Major Food Group: Operates Carbone, Dirty French, Sadelle's, and The Grill; founded by Mario Carotenuto, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick. PE-backed multi-concept restaurant group with hotel partnerships (including the Major Food Group restaurants at hotels) and consumer brand extension, directly comparable in scale and operating model.
• Tao Group Hospitality: Operates TAO Asian Bistro, Lavo, Hakkasan, and other upscale restaurant and nightclub concepts in major US markets including Las Vegas, NYC, and LA. Comparable as a multi-concept dining/entertainment group with significant Las Vegas and luxury real estate exposure.
• Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises: Chicago-based multi-concept restaurant group founded by Rich Melman, operating dozens of concepts across cuisines (RPM Steak, Wildfire, Ema, Summer House). Closely comparable as a privately-held, founder-led, multi-concept restaurant operator with national footprint.

Others

• Darden Restaurants: Public multi-concept restaurant operator (Olive Garden, LongHorn, Capital Grille, Cheddar's). Comparable as a multi-brand restaurant holding company, though at much larger scale and with broader price-point positioning.
• Conserve de Cambados / Matiz / King Oscar: Established tinned seafood and Spanish pantry product brands. Comparable as direct competitors to José Andrés Foods' FishSnax line in the specialty/imported seafood grocery category.
• World Central Kitchen: Nonprofit humanitarian organization founded by José Andrés in 2010 providing disaster relief food services. Comparable only thematically, as it shares founder and brand halo with José Andrés Group but is a separate nonprofit entity.

Broad incumbents

• Landry's / Tilman Fertitta: Operates Morton's, Del Frisco's, Mastro's, Rainforest Cafe, and other restaurant/entertainment concepts in luxury markets. Comparable as a multi-concept upscale restaurant operator with significant steakhouse and Las Vegas exposure.
• STK Steakhouse / The ONE Group Hospitality: Public hospitality group operating STK Steakhouse, Benihana, and other upscale concepts globally. Comparable as a multi-concept upscale dining operator with hotel/lifestyle positioning and international expansion model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/joseandresgroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/joseandresgroup
• Xx.com/joseandresgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/joseandresgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 José Andrés Group