When dining at a restaurant, most people don’t realize the planning and thought process that goes into its creation before it even opens its doors. “We're not opening a restaurant in 90 days,” says Benjamin Goldberg, co-owner of Strategic Hospitality in Nashville. “It's usually two to three years of work before you get to unlock the door and have guests come through.”
Benjamin, along with fellow co-owner and brother Max Goldberg and partner Josh Habiger, understands precisely what’s needed to open a place where people want to relax, have fun, or celebrate special moments. They also know how to keep them coming back—they’ve been nominated several times by the James Beard Foundation for Outstanding Restaurateur.
Founded in 2006 by Benjamin and Max, Strategic Hospitality’s primary goal is to make their hometown of Nashville an even better place to visit. “The city is growing and we want to work with really talented, wonderful people in whatever capacity we can,” says Benjamin. “Whether that’s partnering on restaurants, working with management within restaurants, or growing and mentoring.”
Some of these partners include well-known names. “I pinch myself every day that we get to work with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who are two of the greatest human beings on the planet,” says Max. Their honky-tonk bar, Friends In Low Places, opened in March of 2024.
Every one of the restaurants in their portfolio has something unique and exciting to offer. Some of these include:
- The Patterson House: A cocktail bar known for its craft cocktails and intimate atmosphere.
- The Catbird Seat: A dining experience that offers a multi-course tasting menu at the chef’s counter.
- Bastion: A cozy restaurant featuring a multi-course tasting menu and a casual cocktail bar.
- Henrietta Red: An American restaurant and oyster bar focusing on seasonal ingredients.
- Babychan: a Japanese-inspired bakery and café.
- The Band Box, The Country Club at First Horizon Park, Locust, Kisser, and several Nashville Airport concepts: Kitty Hawk Eat + Drink, Voodoo Doughnut, The Titans Press Box, and The Music City Shop.
“The spaces that we create are all different, because just like Nashville, things change every day, and we want to be a part of that change,” says Max.
A huge factor in their success is the city itself. “Nashville and its surrounding areas are the most exciting places in the world right now,” says Max. “We feel a deep sense of commitment to give back, and try to be good stewards of the community that's been really good to us. I think the basis for why we do what we do is because we love to create really fun spaces that add value to the city Benjamin and I grew up in.”
What also makes the company stand out is its appreciation for its team and partnerships. “At the core of our business, we're a hospitality-driven company, which means that we take care of the people we get to work with as well as the guests that come into our restaurants,” says Benjamin.
Josh feels the same way, and the brothers believe they’re fortunate to be working alongside him. “We met Josh about 17 years ago, and he became a real force in our lives, not only on a personal level, but professionally,” says Max. “He’s one of the most talented chefs in the world and has allowed us to speak a language and have relationships with folks that we probably wouldn't have had otherwise. Josh is definitely part of our secret sauce.”
Adds Josh, “Having the opportunity to help people open their dream restaurants has been a really cool aspect of the job.”
Another vital member of the team is Jordan Farrell, who began as a server and later became an intern. Today, she is Strategic Hospitality’s director of communications.
“I also want to call out Andy Little, who we were really fortunate to bring in and who's been a chef that we've admired and loved for a long time,” says Max. “I think his addition as our culinary operations director has been a monster, and we're just getting started with the fun we're going to have with him. He's a real legend.”
The partners don’t plan to slow down anytime soon and are looking forward to the future. “But, we're not always looking in the windshield; we’re also looking in the rear view mirror of what incredible things have happened,” says Max. “Even though we're doing great, continued change and evolution in all of our spaces is going to be a huge part of it.
Adds Benjamin, “That's what makes us truly excited to get up every day, as well as working with folks that will drive us and push us forward as much as possible.”
Visit Strategic Hospitality's website, or dine at one of its incredible restaurants.
“I pinch myself every day that we get to work with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood…” says Max.
“The city is growing and we want to work with really talented, wonderful people in whatever capacity we can,” says Benjamin.