FSR February 2023

TOP RES TAURANT GROUPS

EMP L OY E E S B E F O R E A N YON E E L S E

INDIGO ROAD HOSPITALITY GROUP

HQ : C H A R L E S T ON , S OU T H C A R O L I N A • E S T . 2 0 0 9

I ndigo Road Hospi ates 30-plus restau rants across more than a dozen original concepts throughout the Caroli nas, with additional out posts in Georgia, Ten nessee, Florida, and D.C. In 2019, the group tality owns and oper expanded into lodg ing when it acquired and renovated the Sky line Lodge in Highlands, North Carolina, which reopened the following fall. Now, Indigo Road has four hotel proper ties in operation and even more in the pipe line, beginning with The Flatiron in Asheville, North Carolina, which is slated to open in the near future. Founder Steve Palmer expects the group to have four to five additional hotels in its portfolio by the end of 2024, “all boutique hotels with a focus on food,” he says, “and an authentic food and bev erage experience.” At the same time, Indigo Road will open more units of existing concepts, particularly Oak Steakhouse and

“We are really rooted in the

thought that our employees have to have a hospi table experience first, before our customers can have a hospital ity experience.”

first, before our custom ers can have a hospital ity experience,” Palmer says. “If our employ ees don’t feel that from within, the guests can’t.” Taking this com mitment a step fur ther, Palmer cofounded Ben’s Friends in 2016. The organization helps stance abuse and addic tion. Ben's Friends now has chapters in 25 cities and “is thriving beyond what we ever thought possible,” he says. those in the industry struggling with sub

Indigo Road strives to put its employees first. “We are really rooted in the thought that our employees have to have a hospitable experience

sushi concept, O-KU. Already, both have grown to seven units. In addition to pro viding excellent hos pitality to its guests,

ANDREW CEBULKA / INDIGO ROAD HOSPITALITY

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FSRMAGAZINE .COM

FEBRUARY 2023