Steve Salis

Last updated

Steve Salis is an American entrepreneur, co-founder of &pizza, and the founder of Sizzle Acquisition and Salis Holdings.

Contents

Early life

Steve Salis was born in 1983 to a working-class family in New Hampshire. [1] His father ran a gas station and his mother did different small jobs. As a child, he was good at basketball and got a scholarship to the University of New Hampshire. Salis studied economics and business administration in college but dropped out and moved to New York City. [2]

Career

Salis began his career in the fashion industry in New York City and later he started giving advice to restaurants and bars on how to run their business better. [2]

In 2012, Steve Salis co-founded &pizza with Michael Lastoria while in his mid-20s. To select the location for their inaugural &pizza outlet, they explored numerous places over three weeks, eventually choosing Washington, D.C. [3] Salis was the CEO from its inception until 2015. [4] [5] In 2017, &pizza advocated a cause in Congress, a $15 minimum wage by 2023. [6] [7] [8] Salis remained the major shareholder in the company until 2019, when he divested his holdings for an undisclosed sum. [9]

Steve Salis founded Salis Holdings in 2015. [10] Under Salis Holdings, Steve Salis has acquired and currently owns several notable brands including Ted's Bulletin, Kramers Bookstore, [11] Federalist Pig, and Honeymoon Chicken, [12] expanding his business in the hospitality and food industry. [13] [14]

Steve Salis is also the CEO of Sizzle Acquisition Corp, a NASDAQ listed blank-check company with a focus on acquiring businesses in the retail and consumer sectors. In 2021 it has raised $155 million with an initial public offering. He has a growing real estate holdings portfolio and in 2022 announced a nearly billion-dollar lithium battery merger in the public market space through Sizzle Acquisition Corp. [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralston Purina</span> American animal feed, food and pet food company

Ralston Purina Company was a St. Louis, Missouri,–based American conglomerate with substantial holdings in animal feed, food, pet food, consumer products, and entertainment. On December 12, 2001, it merged with Swiss food-giant Nestlé's Friskies division to form Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Tan Caktiong</span> Filipino entrepreneur (born 1953)

Tony Tan Caktiong, is a Filipino businessman and investor. He is the founder and chairman of Jollibee Foods Corporation, and the co-chairman of DoubleDragon Properties. Forbes listed him as the fifth richest person in the Philippines in 2023, with an estimated net worth of US$3.2 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caribou Coffee</span> American coffee shop chain

Caribou Coffee Company is an American coffee company and coffeehouse chain. It was founded in Edina, Minnesota, in 1992. As of September 2023, the company operates over 750 locations worldwide. It is headquartered in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kramers (bookstore)</span> Independent bookstore in Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C., United States

Kramers is an independent bookstore and cafe in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Since its founding in 1976 by Bill Kramer, Henry Posner, and David Tenney, Kramer's has become a local institution and meeting place for neighborhood residents, authors, and politicians. It was one of the first bookstores in the country to feature a cafe which influenced similar business models nationwide. Notable people that have visited Kramer's include Barack Obama, Andy Warhol, Maya Angelou, and Monica Lewinsky, whose purchases at the bookstore attracted national attention during the Lewinsky scandal investigation and led to a high-profile legal battle. Kramer's was sold in 2016 to Steve Salis.

Cicis Pizza, formerly known as CiCi's Pizza and Cicis, is an American chain of buffet restaurants based in Coppell, Texas, specializing in pizza. The company was founded in 1985, and started franchising by 1987. In November 2015, the company began a new marketing campaign which included the renaming of the company to Cicis, and a redesigned logo and website.

Main Event Entertainment is an American chain of family entertainment centers. The company was formerly headquartered in Coppell, Texas, before being sold to their former competitor Dave & Buster’s in 2022. Main Event currently operates 58 locations in 20 states, predominantly in Texas and the Southern United States, and features attractions and features such as bowling alleys, arcades, laser tag, virtual reality games, gravity rope courses, miniature golf, billiards, escape rooms, karaoke and a restaurant under the name of Family Kitchen at all of their locations.

Matt Fellowes is an American financial technology entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of United Income, a retirement-focused online investment management, and financial planning company based in Washington, D.C. He previously founded financial planning technology company HelloWallet, which was acquired by Morningstar, Inc. in 2014 for $52.5 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comet Ping Pong</span> Pizzeria in Washington, D.C.

Comet Ping Pong is a pizzeria, restaurant, and concert venue located on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C.'s Chevy Chase neighborhood. Owned by James Alefantis, Comet has received critical acclaim from The Washington Post, The Washingtonian, New York magazine, the DCist, and Guy Fieri of Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Habit Burger & Grill</span> American fast casual restaurant chain

Habit Burger & Grill is a California-based fast casual restaurant chain that specializes in chargrilled hamburgers. The company also sells other typical fast-casual fare. It was founded in 1969 at Santa Barbara, California, and its headquarters are in Irvine, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose's Luxury</span> Restaurant in D.C., United States

Rose's Luxury is a restaurant on Barracks Row in Washington, D.C., created by chef-owner Aaron Silverman. It is known for not taking reservations which creates long lines, such that a nearby bar's top cocktail is called 'Waiting for Rose's' and line waiters are reported to make up to thirty dollars an hour waiting in line. President Barack Obama celebrated his 54th birthday at Rose's after First Lady Michelle Obama previously ate at the restaurant. The opening of Rose's Luxury in 2013 was the subject of a documentary, New Chefs on the Block. Chef Aaron Silverman had prior experience at Momofuku. It opened a fine dining restaurant next door to Rose's Luxury named Pineapple & Pearls in 2016. Silverman has been the subject of a profile in The Washington Post, which characterized his work as mastery of 'the art of serious play'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Founding Farmers</span> Upscale restaurant owned by North Dakota Farmers Union and Farmers Restaurant Group

Founding Farmers is an American upscale-casual restaurant owned by the North Dakota Farmers Union and Farmers Restaurant Group (FRG). The restaurant was founded in 2008 when Farmers Restaurant Group co-owners Dan Simons and Michael Vucurevich partnered up with the North Dakota Farmers Union to open the flagship Founding Farmers on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Founding Farmers was the first LEED Gold Certified restaurant in Washington, D.C. Since opening Founding Farmers DC in 2008, FRG has opened 6 other locations in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Founding Farmers also has a sister restaurant, Farmers Fishers Bakers, located in Washington, D.C.

James Alefantis is an American chef and restaurateur. He founded and owns two restaurants in Washington, D.C., including the pizzeria Comet Ping Pong, and American restaurant Buck's Fishing & Camping. He is also the president of the art gallery Transformer in Logan Circle, Washington, D.C. In 2012, GQ named him one of the 50 most powerful people in Washington, D.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shipt</span> American delivery service owned by Target Corporation

Shipt is an American delivery service owned by Target Corporation. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">&pizza</span> Pizza chain

&pizza is an American fast casual pizza restaurant chain, with 55 locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The restaurant sells personal and customizable oblong-shaped pizzas. They tailor each location to its neighborhood, with local artists designing the interiors. Some locations serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sizzle Pie</span> Pizza restaurant chain based in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Sizzle Pie is a pizza restaurant chain based in Portland, Oregon, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pineapple & Pearls</span> Restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Pineapple & Pearls is a restaurant located on Barracks Row in Washington, D.C., serving a fixed-price multi-course dinner. The Washington Post gave the restaurant a four-star review, writing that Aaron Silverman, the chef and owner, "...pushes the fine-dining cause in only exquisite directions." Pineapple & Pearls was a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category of the James Beard Foundation Awards in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donn Davis</span> Founder of PFL

Donn Davis is an American venture capitalist and entrepreneur. He is founder, chairman and co-owner of the Professional Fighters League, co-owner of e-sports team Team Liquid and founding partner of the investment firm Revolution LLC.

Sizzle Acquisition Corp. is a publicly traded American special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in October 2020, the company raised $155 million in a November 2021 initial public offering (IPO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honeymoon Chicken</span> Restaurant in Washington, D.C., U.S.

Honeymoon Chicken is a restaurant in Petworth, Washington, D.C., United States. Rob Sonderman is the chef. Steve Salis is a business partner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menya Hosaki</span> Japanese restaurant in Washington, D.C., U.S.

Menya Hosaki is a Japanese restaurant in Petworth, Washington, D.C.

References

  1. Carman, Tim (2021-10-23). "&pizza co-founder Steve Salis has big plans for Ted's Bulletin, Kramerbooks and life in D.C." Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  2. 1 2 "How a Nightclub Doorman/Model Became a DC Restaurateur, Real Estate Player, and Bookstore Owner - Washingtonian". 2018-01-19. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  3. Metcalf, Andrew (2014-05-12). "&pizza Opens on Old Georgetown Road". MoCo360. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  4. Metcalf, Andrew (2015-05-29). "&pizza Founder Out as CEO". MoCo360. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  5. "Co-founder of hip D.C.-based pizza chain out as CEO". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  6. ""We Want To Be The Best Neighbors": &pizza Reinvents The Pizza Parlor". Fast Company . 2017-10-31.
  7. Borchardt, Debra. "&pizza Heads To NYC With A Slice Of Social Consciousness". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  8. Taylor, Kate. "Meet the CEO of an up-and-coming pizza chain who is actually fighting to raise the minimum wage". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  9. "&pizza makes leadership changes as it looks to double in size". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  10. Kelso, Alicia. "Why Salis Holdings Is Leveraging The Restaurant Acquisitions Market". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  11. "How a Nightclub Doorman/Model Became a DC Restaurateur, Real Estate Player, and Bookstore Owner - Washingtonian". 2018-01-19. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  12. Carman, Tim (2022-07-05). "Review | Honeymoon Chicken aims high — and hits its mark". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  13. "Steve Salis is bullish on growth in the Washington, D.C. area under platform company Catalogue". Nation's Restaurant News. 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  14. "Honeymoon Chicken, from a DC pitmaster, comes to Petworth". WTOP News. 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  15. Ramkumar, Amrith (2022-10-24). "Upstart European Lithium Is Valued at $970 Million in Deal for U.S. Listing". Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  16. "European Lithium to merge with Sizzle Acquisition to form exploration firm". Reuters. 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-01.