Enlightened Hospitality Investments

Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI) is the strategic investment platform within Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), dedicated to driving growth for values-aligned companies in the hospitality and technology sectors. EHI leverages the businesses and professionals of USHG to identify growth potential and investment opportunities in both internal and outside ventures.

Aaron Chan

CFO

Johnny Hagan

Senior Investment Associate

Perry Leavitt

Vice President

Mark A. Leavitt

Co-Managing Partner and Co-Founder

Pete Mavrovitis

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Linda Meliani

Senior Investment Associate

Danny Meyer

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Danny Meyer

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Paulina Orillac

Vice President

Theo Ressler

Investment Associate

Harry Seherr-Thoss

Partner

Past deals in Restaurants

Chip City Cookies

Series B in 2024
Chip City presently has over 40 different cookie variations on a daily rotating menu. Chip City designed a 5.5-ounce signature cookie that is served warm.

Five Iron Golf

Private Equity Round in 2024
Five Iron Golf, founded in 2015 and based in New York City, operates as a modern indoor golf facility catering to both professionals and sports enthusiasts. The company has transformed Manhattan's golf culture by expanding from its original Midtown location to offer a high-tech environment that includes full swing and Trackman simulators, professional instruction, a full bar, and a chef-inspired menu. Additionally, Five Iron Golf provides event space, creating an inclusive and accessible urban golf experience for its customers.

Qu

Venture Round in 2023
Qu is the restaurant industry’s leading digital-first platform. Designed from the cloud down to the POS, we simplify the complex multi-channel, multi-brand, menu ecosystem with a modern, intuitive platform that delivers data-rich experiences. Now, you can serve all your people better: operators, franchisees, employees, and guests.

Chip City Cookies

Venture Round in 2022
Chip City presently has over 40 different cookie variations on a daily rotating menu. Chip City designed a 5.5-ounce signature cookie that is served warm.

ConverseNow

Venture Round in 2022
ConverseNow Technologies, Inc. specializes in developing voice artificial intelligence software aimed at enhancing the ordering process for quick service restaurants (QSRs). Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, with an additional location in Gainesville, Florida, the company offers solutions that automate and personalize orders through various high-volume voice channels, including phone, drive-thru, self-service kiosks, and voice-assisted chat. This technology addresses the challenges posed by labor shortages in the $870 billion chain restaurant market, allowing restaurants to improve operational efficiency and customer service. By partnering with a range of national and multinational brands, ConverseNow has demonstrated the ability to significantly increase same-store sales and average ticket sizes while providing additional labor hours per store each month. The company's innovative approach not only enhances the customer experience but also supports restaurants in driving revenue growth and optimizing margins.

7shifts

Series C in 2022
7shifts is a comprehensive team management platform specifically designed for the restaurant industry. It offers a suite of tools that assist restaurateurs in making informed decisions, enhancing team retention, and streamlining operations. Catering to all staff levels, from front of house to back of house, 7shifts is utilized by over 40,000 restaurants and one million professionals in the sector. The platform features employee scheduling software that automates work hour management and provides detailed analytics, which fosters employee engagement and improves communication. By facilitating efficient scheduling and reducing the need for last-minute changes, 7shifts enables restaurant managers to optimize their workforce and lower labor costs.

Tacombi

Venture Round in 2021
Tacombi is a food and beverage brand specializing in Mexican cuisine and culture, with a focus on providing an authentic dining experience. Established in 2010 with the opening of its first taqueria in a downtown New York garage, Tacombi has expanded its presence with neighborhood taquerias in New York, Washington, DC, and Miami. The brand is renowned for its traditional "Vista Hermosa" tortilla products, which are crafted to preserve and share the rich flavors of Mexico. In addition to tacos, Tacombi's menu features a diverse selection of items, including quesadillas, burritos, burgers, soups, salads, and a variety of beverages like cocktails and Aguas Frescas. Their Vista Hermosa products are also distributed in stores nationwide, broadening access to their authentic offerings.

7shifts

Series B in 2021
7shifts is a comprehensive team management platform specifically designed for the restaurant industry. It offers a suite of tools that assist restaurateurs in making informed decisions, enhancing team retention, and streamlining operations. Catering to all staff levels, from front of house to back of house, 7shifts is utilized by over 40,000 restaurants and one million professionals in the sector. The platform features employee scheduling software that automates work hour management and provides detailed analytics, which fosters employee engagement and improves communication. By facilitating efficient scheduling and reducing the need for last-minute changes, 7shifts enables restaurant managers to optimize their workforce and lower labor costs.

Tripleseat Software

Venture Round in 2019
Tripleseat Software, LLC provides a cloud-based sales and event management solution tailored for the owners and managers of restaurants, hotels, and banquet facilities. Established in 2008 and based in Concord, Massachusetts, Tripleseat aims to simplify the traditionally manual processes associated with managing private dining, catering, and banquet events. The software addresses a significant market need, as event-related activities can contribute over 30% of revenue for hospitality venues. By offering features such as instant lead alerts, e-signatures, online payments, and synced calendars, Tripleseat streamlines the entire event management workflow, from the initial inquiry through to execution. This enables clients to enhance their event business efficiently and effectively.

Dig Inn

Venture Round in 2019
Dig Inn is a restaurant inspired by the seasons and the act of cooking. Classic recipes with lots of vegetables, expertly prepared, and sourced mindfully from farmers and producers we know and trust. Whether you’re looking for whole grains, naturally-raised meats, or fresh veggies, we’ve got a bowl with your name on it.

Goldbelly

Series B in 2018
Goldbelly is an online marketplace that specializes in connecting consumers with local food makers and artisans across the United States. It sources a diverse range of iconic, regional, and local foods, facilitating access to various cuisines. By providing logistics support, including packaging and cold packs for shipping, Goldbelly enables small businesses, such as restaurants, to sell their products directly to customers. The platform offers tools for seamless ordering and doorstep delivery, helping these businesses expand their reach and increase revenue.
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