Lasting Partners. Enduring Brands.
Lasting Partners. Enduring Brands.
Lasting Partners.
Enduring Brands.
Paladar was created for restaurateurs seeking partners committed to building brands that stand the test of time.
Paladar was created for restaurateurs seeking partners committed to building brands that stand the test of time.
Paladar was created for restaurateurs seeking partners committed to building brands that stand the test of time.
ABOUT
Paladar is a platform of carefully curated restaurant brands led by a uniquely qualified team of executives from Chipotle, Bartaco, and Kitchen Fund.
Our vision is to build lasting partnerships with iconic restaurant brands and visionary restaurateurs who excel in delivering outstanding cuisine and exceptional hospitality.
Our strategy is rooted in a long-term perspective enabling us to support the development of enduring brands. Unlike traditional capital sources, we prioritize sustainable growth over rapid expansion and fixed exit-timelines.
Paladar is a platform of carefully curated restaurant brands led by a uniquely qualified team of executives from Chipotle, Bartaco, and Kitchen Fund.
Our vision is to build lasting partnerships with iconic restaurant brands and visionary restaurateurs who excel in delivering outstanding cuisine and exceptional hospitality.
Our strategy is rooted in a long-term perspective enabling us to support the development of enduring brands. Unlike traditional capital sources, we prioritize sustainable growth over rapid expansion and fixed exit-timelines.
Paladar is a platform of carefully curated restaurant brands led by a uniquely qualified team of executives from Chipotle, Bartaco, and Kitchen Fund.
Our vision is to build lasting partnerships with iconic restaurant brands and visionary restaurateurs who excel in delivering outstanding cuisine and exceptional hospitality.
Our strategy is rooted in a long-term perspective enabling us to support the development of enduring brands. Unlike traditional capital sources, we prioritize sustainable growth over rapid expansion and fixed exit-timelines.
TEAM
Greg Golkin
Greg Golkin
Greg Golkin
CEO
CEO
CEO
Greg has been investing in restaurant brands for 15+ years. As Managing Partner at Kitchen Fund, a leading restaurant growth equity firm, Greg backed segment-defining brands like Sweetgreen, CAVA, Dig Inn, and Gregorys Coffee. His focus has always been to pair capital with invaluable expertise, connections, and strategic guidance, giving brands the right tools to grow and endure.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ FINANCE
+ STRATEGY
Greg has been investing in restaurant brands for 15+ years. As Managing Partner at Kitchen Fund, a leading restaurant growth equity firm, Greg backed segment-defining brands like Sweetgreen, CAVA, Dig Inn, and Gregorys Coffee. His focus has always been to pair capital with invaluable expertise, connections, and strategic guidance, giving brands the right tools to grow and endure.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ FINANCE
+ STRATEGY
Greg has been investing in restaurant brands for 15+ years. As Managing Partner at Kitchen Fund, a leading restaurant growth equity firm, Greg backed segment-defining brands like Sweetgreen, CAVA, Dig Inn, and Gregorys Coffee. His focus has always been to pair capital with invaluable expertise, connections, and strategic guidance, giving brands the right tools to grow and endure.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ FINANCE
+ STRATEGY
Monty Moran
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
As co-CEO at Chipotle from 2009–2017 and President from 2005–2009, Monty guided the brand through its IPO and historic growth. He emphasized people culture, launching the Restaurateur Program, which elevated thousands of crew members into leadership roles across the company, empowering and rewarding top performers while fueling Chipotle’s enduring success.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ CULTURE & LEADERSHIP
+ OPERATIONS
Mark Crumpacker
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
During a decade as Chipotle’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mark built deep emotional connections with customers using campaigns that drove lasting word-of-mouth. Mark also served six years as Chief Development Officer, overseeing site selection, design, and construction of 1,000+ restaurants — averaging a new opening every 36 hours and fueling Chipotle’s rapid expansion.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ MARKETING
+ DEVELOPMENT
Andy Pforzheimer
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
As co-founder of Barcelona Wine Bar and Bartaco, culminating in a sale to Del Frisco’s in 2018. With 40+ years in restaurants, Andy has lectured on finance at Columbia and teaches at Harvard Business School as an Executive Fellow. He currently serves on the boards of US Foods, Dig Inn, Upward Projects, Hickory Tavern, and Barcelona Wine Bar.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ OPERATIONS
+ SOURCING
Akash Mirchandani
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
As a partner at Kitchen Fund, Akash led diligence and execution of new investments, including its first international deal with Miscusi, a purpose-driven pasta brand. Before joining Kitchen Fund in 2018, he was a Private Equity investor at Blackstone. He currently serves on the boards of DIG and Miscusi, as well as the Business Leadership Council for Menus of Change.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ STRATEGY
+ FINANCE
Scott Berger
VICE PRESIDENT
Scott is an investor with expertise in consumer retail, technology, and media. He previously held roles at Kitchen Fund, RedBird Capital Partners, Thomas H. Lee Partners, and Barclays, and gained operating experience at Union Square Hospitality Group. He holds a Cornell undergraduate degree and an MBA from the Wharton School.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ RESEARCH
+ FINANCE
Monty Moran
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
As co-CEO at Chipotle from 2009–2017 and President from 2005–2009, Monty guided the brand through its IPO and historic growth. He emphasized people culture, launching the Restaurateur Program, which elevated thousands of crew members into leadership roles across the company, empowering and rewarding top performers while fueling Chipotle’s enduring success.
FOCUS AREAS WITH OUR PARTNER BRANDS:
+ CULTURE & LEADERSHIP
+ OPERATIONS
Andy Pforzheimer
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
As co-founder of Barcelona Wine Bar and Bartaco, culminating in a sale to Del Frisco’s in 2018. With 40+ years in restaurants, Andy has lectured on finance at Columbia and teaches at Harvard Business School as an Executive Fellow. He currently serves on the boards of US Foods, Dig Inn, Upward Projects, Hickory Tavern, and Barcelona Wine Bar.
FOCUS AREAS WITH OUR PARTNER BRANDS:
+ OPERATIONS
+ SOURCING
Mark Crumpacker
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
During a decade as Chipotle’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mark built deep emotional connections with customers using campaigns that drove lasting word-of-mouth. Mark also served six years as Chief Development Officer, overseeing site selection, design, and construction of 1,000+ restaurants — averaging a new opening every 36 hours and fueling Chipotle’s rapid expansion.
FOCUS AREAS WITH OUR PARTNER BRANDS:
+ MARKETING
+ DEVELOPMENT
Akash Mirchandani
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
As a partner at Kitchen Fund, Akash led diligence and execution of new investments, including its first international deal with Miscusi, a purpose-driven pasta brand. Before joining Kitchen Fund in 2018, he was a Private Equity investor at Blackstone. He currently serves on the boards of DIG and Miscusi, as well as the Business Leadership Council for Menus of Change.
FOCUS AREAS WITH OUR PARTNER BRANDS:
+ STRAETGY
+ FINANCE
Scott Berger
VICE PRESIDENT
Scott is an investor with expertise in consumer retail, technology, and media. He previously held roles at Kitchen Fund, RedBird Capital Partners, Thomas H. Lee Partners, and Barclays, and gained operating experience at Union Square Hospitality Group. He holds a Cornell undergraduate degree and an MBA from the Wharton School.
FOCUS AREAS WITH OUR PARTNER BRANDS:
+ RESEARCH
+ FINANCE
Monty Moran
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
As co-CEO at Chipotle from 2009–2017 and President from 2005–2009, Monty guided the brand through its IPO and historic growth. He emphasized people culture, launching the Restaurateur Program, which elevated thousands of crew members into leadership roles across the company, empowering and rewarding top performers while fueling Chipotle’s enduring success.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ CULTURE & LEADERSHIP
+ OPERATIONS
Andy Pforzheimer
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
As co-founder of Barcelona Wine Bar and Bartaco, culminating in a sale to Del Frisco’s in 2018. With 40+ years in restaurants, Andy has lectured on finance at Columbia and teaches at Harvard Business School as an Executive Fellow. He currently serves on the boards of US Foods, Dig Inn, Upward Projects, Hickory Tavern, and Barcelona Wine Bar.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ OPERATIONS
+ SOURCING
Mark Crumpacker
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
During a decade as Chipotle’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mark built deep emotional connections with customers using campaigns that drove lasting word-of-mouth. Mark also served six years as Chief Development Officer, overseeing site selection, design, and construction of 1,000+ restaurants — averaging a new opening every 36 hours and fueling Chipotle’s rapid expansion.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ MARKETING
+ DEVELOPMENT
Akash Mirchandani
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
As a partner at Kitchen Fund, Akash led diligence and execution of new investments, including its first international deal with Miscusi, a purpose-driven pasta brand. Before joining Kitchen Fund in 2018, he was a Private Equity investor at Blackstone. He currently serves on the boards of DIG and Miscusi, as well as the Business Leadership Council for Menus of Change.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ STRATEGY
+ FINANCE
Scott Berger
VICE PRESIDENT
Scott is an investor with expertise in consumer retail, technology, and media. He previously held roles at Kitchen Fund, RedBird Capital Partners, Thomas H. Lee Partners, and Barclays, and gained operating experience at Union Square Hospitality Group. He holds a Cornell undergraduate degree and an MBA from the Wharton School.
FOCUS AREAS WITH PARTNER BRANDS:
+ RESEARCH
+ FINANCE
APPROACH
BEST-IN-CLASS
BEST-IN-CLASS
APPROACH
We seek out timeless, established brands with a proven commitment to outstanding cuisine, exceptional hospitality, a great guest experience, and a powerful commitment to company culture.
We seek out timeless, established brands with a proven commitment to outstanding cuisine, exceptional hospitality, a great guest experience, and a powerful commitment to company culture.
BEST-IN-CLASS
We seek out timeless, established brands with a proven commitment to outstanding cuisine, exceptional hospitality, a great guest experience, and a powerful commitment to company culture.
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
We ensure lasting success by prioritizing quality and stability and favoring measured growth over the aggressive scaling often required by traditional investors.
We ensure lasting success by prioritizing quality and stability and favoring measured growth over the aggressive scaling often required by traditional investors.
We ensure lasting success by prioritizing quality and stability and favoring measured growth over the aggressive scaling often required by traditional investors.
ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT
ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT
While each brand in the Paladar ecosystem has its own unique identity, story, and growth curve, we offer our unique insights to help each brand mitigate common challenges and take full advantage of opportunities.
While each brand in the Paladar ecosystem has its own unique identity, story, and growth curve, we offer our unique insights to help each brand mitigate common challenges and take full advantage of opportunities.
While each brand in the Paladar ecosystem has its own unique identity, story, and growth curve, we offer our unique insights to help each brand mitigate common challenges and take full advantage of opportunities.
LONG-TERM PARTNERS
LONG-TERM PARTNERS
Our permanent capital structure, philosophy, and investment thesis keep us focused on long-term value creation, rather than near-term exits.
Our permanent capital structure, philosophy, and investment thesis keep us focused on long-term value creation, rather than near-term exits.
Our permanent capital structure, philosophy, and investment thesis keep us focused on long-term value creation, rather than near-term exits.
