Profile

Sam Bakhshandehpour

Global Chief Executive Officer
José Andrés Group

Sam Bakhshandehpour is the President and Board Member of José Andrés Group (JAG), a restaurant and media company. Driven by the mission of “Changing the world through the power of food," JAG's platform spans 38+ restaurants across 9 markets globally and multiple cuisines, including the 2-Michelin starred minibar by José Andrés, and numerous Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants. Mr. Bakhshandehpour also runs José Andrés Media division (JAM) which produces food-related cultural content across scripted, unscripted - film and television, books (including The New York Times Best Seller Zaytinya), podcasts, and digital content. JAG also houses numerous global partnerships and a consumer products platform. Through his hospitality investment platform, The Silverstone Companies, Mr. Bakhshandehpour has made numerous investments including The Electric Jane (membership community and live music lounge / restaurant), Cultivate Hospitality (F&B programming), Bazaar by José Andrés, and select other hotel, restaurant and lifestyle properties. Named one of the “Most Important People in Hospitality” on the Observer’s 2023 Dining and Nightlife Power List, Mr. Bakhshandehpour previously served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of sbe Entertainment, a private-equity backed hotel, restaurant and nightlife company with over 80 properties globally. Mr. Bakhshandehpour started his career on Wall Street with J.P. Morgan Securities running the Global Casino and West Coast Real Estate & Lodging Investment Banking practice focused on mergers & acquisitions and capital raising. Mr. Bakhshandehpour holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. He serves on the board of Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) and as a member of Fiserv Inc’s (NYSE: FI) Restaurant Advisory Board, including the Audit and Compensation Committees for both companies, as well as an Advisor for Bilt Technologies, Inc. Previously, Sam served on the boards of The New Home Company (NYSE: NWHM), including the Audit and Compensation Committees, and Georgetown University McDonough School of Business’ Board of Advisors as a Board Member and Capital Campaigns Committee Member. He is a trustee of Federal City Council (FC2), a founding member of the Georgetown Wall Street Alliance West, and a Senior Advisor to Montminy & Co., FINRA-registered (series 7, 24, 63). Mr. Bakhshandehpour is also an active member and former Chair of the Bel Air Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization.