Stephen P. Hanson, BS '76
President, B.R. Guest Inc.
For many years, Stephen Hanson has brought stylish, popular and distinctive restaurants to New York as President of B.R. Guest Inc. B.R. Guest includes twelve dining destinations, with more on the way. Currently, the group includes Isabella’s, Park Avalon, Atlantic Grill, Ocean Grill, Blue Water Grill, Ruby Foo’s Dim Sum and Sushi Palace, Blue Fin, Dos Caminos, Dos Caminos SoHo, Fiamma Osteria, and most recently, Fiamma Trattoria in Las Vegas. Mr. Hanson’s dining rooms have earned a collective thirty-one stars from New York’s top newspapers and publications.
Mr. Hanson began his career in the restaurant business in the early 1970’s as a maitre d’ at the original TGI Friday’s while earning his degree at NYU Stern. Upon graduation, he was promoted to the position of manager, where he sharpened his business acumen and marketing skills before embarking on the entrepreneurial path.
Beginning in the latter part of the 1970’s, he changed direction and worked in a number of different industries including the nightclub business, commodities trading and the fashion business. He left the fashion industry to return to his first passion: restaurants. Coconut Grill, Mr. Hanson’s first venture, opened in 1987 on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Mr. Hanson received the Restaurateur of the Year from Bon Appetit magazine in 2003.
In August 2003, Fiamma Trattoria opened at the MGM Las Vegas, marking a milestone as B.R. Guest opened its first property outside the New York market. In addition, Hanson is also partnering with Danny Errico (founder of Equinox Fitness) to open the inaugural JAMES Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, in January 2004.
Mr. Hanson began his career in the restaurant business in the early 1970’s as a maitre d’ at the original TGI Friday’s while earning his degree at NYU Stern. Upon graduation, he was promoted to the position of manager, where he sharpened his business acumen and marketing skills before embarking on the entrepreneurial path.
Beginning in the latter part of the 1970’s, he changed direction and worked in a number of different industries including the nightclub business, commodities trading and the fashion business. He left the fashion industry to return to his first passion: restaurants. Coconut Grill, Mr. Hanson’s first venture, opened in 1987 on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Mr. Hanson received the Restaurateur of the Year from Bon Appetit magazine in 2003.
In August 2003, Fiamma Trattoria opened at the MGM Las Vegas, marking a milestone as B.R. Guest opened its first property outside the New York market. In addition, Hanson is also partnering with Danny Errico (founder of Equinox Fitness) to open the inaugural JAMES Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, in January 2004.