Stephen Starr operates 43 restaurants across six cities and generates $400 million in annual revenue while employing 5,000 workers. The Philadelphia-based restaurateur recently opened Borromini and a Nashville location of Pastis while preparing to relaunch Babbo in Manhattan. Nine of his establishments ranked among the country's top 100 highest-grossing independent restaurants last year.
The 70-year-old entrepreneur started in music before opening his first restaurant in 1995. His Continental martini bar ignited a dining revolution in Philadelphia and led to Buddakan's launch three years later. Critics praised his 2016 Le Coucou partnership with chef Daniel Rose as the city's best new restaurant.
Starr collaborates with renowned chefs like Nancy Silverton and Keith McNally to expand successful concepts into new markets. He plans four additional restaurants featuring Danny Bowien and Mark Ladner. Industry leaders credit his talent for identifying what diners want through obsessive attention to ambience and design details.
The 70-year-old entrepreneur started in music before opening his first restaurant in 1995. His Continental martini bar ignited a dining revolution in Philadelphia and led to Buddakan's launch three years later. Critics praised his 2016 Le Coucou partnership with chef Daniel Rose as the city's best new restaurant.
Starr collaborates with renowned chefs like Nancy Silverton and Keith McNally to expand successful concepts into new markets. He plans four additional restaurants featuring Danny Bowien and Mark Ladner. Industry leaders credit his talent for identifying what diners want through obsessive attention to ambience and design details.
