Meet Jon Wright of Riot Hospitality Group in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Wright.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jon . So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in the small town of Cary, Illinois. Like a lot of people who are raised in small towns, I was determined to get out of there and since my family owned a bar there, the restaurant industry had always been in my blood. During my time in Cary, I worked a series of jobs – everything from cleaning pools to working for the city – and eventually saved up $6,000 to move away with. After moving from Illinois to Arizona, I attended Arizona State University where I got my degree in Marketing. Following graduation, I was a personal trainer at World Gym, I bartended and eventually worked my way up to management in the industry while making some money doing real estate. In 2006, I opened up the Lodge in Scottsdale and in 2011; I made the decision to separate from my partners at the Lodge to form Riot Hospitality Group. We then opened our first concept – El Hefe Scottsdale – and it’s been nonstop ever since.

Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest struggles I have encountered along the way have been emotional struggles and simply dealing with the risk factors involved in the majority of the decisions I have had to make. Emotionally, it was tough to make the decision to separate from my partners at the Lodge to form a new company. When it comes to risk factors, moving to Arizona with $6,000 to my name, investing everything I had into the Lodge, and then starting a new company are just a few. I had to overcome one of my biggest personal struggles when RHG opened our second El Hefe in Chicago. It was our first project in a new city and I picked up my entire life to move there and get it started. For the next two years, I worked to manage that location, while also managing the rest of our company from a remote location.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Riot Hospitality Group – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Riot Hospitality Group is dedicated to evolving the typical restaurant landscape into one which provides unique and meaningful experiences for each and every guest. We currently own and operate 5 concepts – El Hefe, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Riot House, and Hand Cut Chophouse – and our fifth, Riot House, will be opening in Scottsdale soon. As a whole, Riot Hospitality Group strives to constantly be on the cutting edge in all things hospitality. What sets us apart as a company is also what I’m most proud of – our company culture. My partners and I have put a heavy focus on taking care of our employees and creating a culture throughout our company that makes employees feel valued.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Some of the best things about our city are all of the activities you’re able to do here. I love hiking new trails in Arizona and exploring everything this state has to offer! As far as what I like least, I think that’s the same as everyone – the heat.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7525 E. Camelback Rd. Suite #100
  Scottsdale, AZ 85251
• Website: riothg.com
• Phone: (480) 947-3763
• Instagram: @riothospitalitygroup
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiotHospitalityGroup/

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