Operations

Restaurateurs Humm and Guidara, team behind Eleven Madison Park, split up

Daniel Humm will buy out Will Guidara’s shares in the Make It Nice restaurant group, but no closures are planned.
Daniel and will of Eleven Madison park at the James Beard awards
Photograph courtesy of the James Beard Award Foundation

The long-running partnership between Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, the team behind New York City’s award-winning fine-dining restaurant Eleven Madison Park and others, is no longer, the restaurateurs announced this week.

Humm will buy out Guidara’s shares in the Make It Nice company and become its sole principal, according to an all-staff email published in Eater, which cited the pair’s “different visions of the company long-term.” None of the group’s restaurants are slated to close, and all new projects in the pipeline will move forward.

In addition to Eleven Madison Park, Make It Nice runs Made Nice, a fast-casual restaurant, as well as the food and beverage program at The NoMad hotel.

Restaurateur Danny Meyer opened Eleven Madison Park in 1998 and sold it to Humm and Guidara in 2011.

“Over the years, we’ve been together for the greatest highs and achieved so many of our shared goals,” Humm and Guidara wrote in the email to staff. “But as in many relationships – individuals grow apart. We’ve often referred to our partnership as a marriage and, as you all know, with any close relationship there are bound to be ups, downs and challenging moments. That is where we find ourselves now.”

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

This time, Sardar Biglari is villainizing Cracker Barrel's board in hope of seizing control

Reality Check: The persistent antagonist is shifting his aim from a takedown of the CEO to a revolt against her bosses.

Financing

Brands that meet consumers' perception of value are winning right now

The Bottom Line: A new report from Houlihan Lokey notes that brands with clearly defined value propositions have been outperforming. But the definition of value differs from one sector to the other.

Financing

McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King make their case with non-budget diners

The Bottom Line: The three big burger chains, which have been in a value war for the past few months, are all pushing innovative products to win back customers.

Trending

More from our partners