STEPHEN P. HANSON
STEPHEN P. HANSON is the founder and President of B.R. Guest Restaurants, a New
York-based multi-concept operator that began with one restaurant, Coconut Grill,
in 1987 and has since expanded to fifteen restaurants in three cities. With each
B.R. Guest restaurant, Hanson and his dedicated staff work to meet their own
- and the public's - increasingly demanding expectations through an emphasis
on hospitality and quality.
Going Green
In 2007, Hanson inked a deal with hospitality giant Barry Sternlicht which
appointed B.R. Guest as the exclusive restaurateur in Sternlicht's '1' Hotels
and Residences, the first luxury, eco-friendly global hotel brand. In June
that same year, B.R. Guest took its obligation to the environment one step
further by becoming certified by the Green Restaurant Association for its
incorporation of sustainable practices within the restaurants, making B.R.
Guest the first national multi-concept restaurant group to be certified Green.
Diverse Experience
Hanson began his career in the restaurant business as a maitre d' at the original
TGI Friday's during the early 1970's. He became a manager shortly after receiving
a degree from New York University's Stern School of business. From there,
Hanson delved into the nightclub business when he opened the immensely popular
Westchester nightclub, Peachtree's with two college friends. He remained
in the nightclub business through his career change as a commodities broker.
After several years in this field, Hanson sold his share of Peachtree's and
began to serve as an executive in the fashion business for his family's designer
sportswear company, Betsy Hanson. In 1987, he decided to pursue his original
passion: restaurants.
The James Hotel
In 2004, Hanson created and co-founded the James Hotel concept with Danny Errico,
(founder of Equinox Fitness) and served as a partner in this venture until
2006. The James Hotel, a value-based, stylish hotel concept, opened in Scottsdale,
Arizona and was named "America's Sexiest Hotel" by Travel + Leisure
in 2004. The Chicago location was also awarded a spot on Travel + Leisure's
2006 "It List."
Now and the Future
In 2008, Hanson focused on continued growth with the company's current
concepts,
from our Modern-Mexican cuisine and lounge, Dos Caminos Las Vegas, which
opened in February 2008 at the Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino, and our
newest concept, Wildwood Barbeque, which opened in New York in April 2008.
B.R. Guest Restaurants will also provide unique dining concepts to '1' Hotel
and Residences set to debut in the near future throughout the country.
Philanthropy
Hanson currently sits on the Board of Directors for NYC & Company, New
York City's official tourism organization and Public Color, focused on using
art to empower students to transform their communities. He also served on the
Board of Directors for Caribou Coffee for a number of years and is a Patron
of the Metropolitan Opera. In 2003, Hanson received the Restaurateur
of the Year award from Bon Appetit and in 2004, he received the Platinum Circle Award
from Hospitality Design for his commitment to incorporate unique design with
his innovative concepts. Recently, Hanson received the Good Scout Award
from the Boy Scouts of America and was profiled in Forbes
magazine.
For more information, please contact B.R.Guest Public Relations at
212.331.0308 or publicrelations@brguestinc.com. Thank you.
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