The growth capital firm behind the food-and-games brands Puttshack, F1 Arcade and Flight Club has added more restaurant industry firepower to its leadership team.
G.J. Hart, the former CEO of Red Robin, has joined the firm Emerging as managing partner, the company said Tuesday.
Emerging is a company founded by Mathew Focht that describes itself as investing “at the intersection of restaurant innovation, technology and experiential entertainment.”
The company has brought together a collection of technology-fueled restaurant and entertainment industry leaders and concepts, including Puttshack, F1 Arcade, Flight Club, Batbox and the upcoming Poolhouse. Investments also include tech companies, such as order aggregation platform Chowly, automated beverage concept Botrista, and lease management software company Leasecake.
Among Emerging’s partners are Puttshack Founder Adam Breeden, FB Society Founder and CEO Randy DeWitt, Flagship Restaurant Group Founder and CEO Nick Hogan, and other industry veterans.
In 2023, the company launched the Emerging Fund, initially raising about $52 million with a goal of reaching $100 million, to invest in matching promising tech firms with emerging concepts.
Hart, who stepped down from Red Robin in April, has also served at the helm or C-suite of Torchy’s Tacos, California Pizza Kitchen and Texas Roadhouse. He is currently a board member at Portillo’s and Dutch Bros.
“G.J. brings unmatched expertise and a proven track record of leadership across some of the most well-known brands in the restaurant industry,” said Focht, in a statement. “His insight, character and operational rigor are a perfect fit for the next chapter of Emerging as we invest in the future of hospitality and guide our portfolio companies to scale.”
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