2018 RH 25: ThinkFoodGroup

The 2018 class of Restaurant Hospitality's annual RH 25 looks at bold moves made by multiconcept operators — the companies that are crossing segments, shifting operations, building big or pivoting in some way. There is no ranking. These are companies to watch. See all concepts >>

HQ: Washington, D.C.

Leadership: José Andrés, chef and owner; Kimberly Grant, CEO 

Systemwide sales FY2017: $142 million

Concepts: 33 restaurants, including the concepts The Bazaar by José Andrés, Zaytinya (2), Jaleo (4), Beefsteak (5), minibar by José Andrés and Fish by José Andrés (2)

Images of the interior of ThinkFoodGroup’s newly debuted Zaytinya in Frisco, TX.

Chef José Andrés has taken by storm major food towns such as Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Miami and Mexico City, but the James Beard award-winning, two-Michelin-starred chef has not made it in New York City — yet.

That will change in spring 2019 when Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup opens his very first project in the Big Apple: Mercado Little Spain, a 35,000-square-foot Spanish food hall in the massive Hudson Yards development.

An all-day culinary experience celebrating everything España, Mercado is a collaboration with Spanish chefs Ferran and Albert Adrià, brothers known for their restaurant elBulli, once considered one of the world’s finest before it closed in 2011. For the Adriàs, Mercado is a first move in the U.S.

Mercado will feature indoor and outdoor spaces, including three full-service restaurants highlighting various aspects of Spanish cuisine; stalls serving a variety of tapas and pintxos, or snacks; as well as retail kiosks selling Spanish products.

“I’ve dreamed of opening in New York since I first came to this incredible country through New York Harbor,” Andrés said in a statement. “I cannot wait to tell the many stories of Spain.”

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