Schulte Hospitality Group, a hotel management and development company with a portfolio of more than 200 properties across five countries, has partnered with 34th Floor Hospitality, a hospitality restaurant management firm. Under the partnership, 34th Floor Hospitality becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Schulte Hospitality Group.
The agreement, leverages the experience of 34th Floor Hospitality co-founders Olivier Zardoni and Alex Taylor. Zardoni and Taylor will lead restaurant operations across the combined portfolio, supported by Schulte’s scale and resources. Terms were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to welcome Olivier, Alex, and the 34th Floor team to Schulte Hospitality Group,” Chairman and CEO Darryl Schulte said in a statement. “Their demonstrated success in crafting high-performing, concept-driven restaurants will enhance how we deliver dining experiences to our guests. With their leadership, we’re elevating our hotel restaurants into must-visit destinations that foster guest loyalty and lasting impressions.”
The merger positions Schulte to create dining concepts that cater to evolving guest preferences, according to the company. The partnership also strengthens Schulte’s ability to provide tailored solutions for property owners seeking innovative and profitable restaurant strategies.
34th Floor Hospitality focuses on improving operations, designing effective systems and developing hospitality brands. The company aims to help Schulte refine operations, create cohesive strategies and strengthen its food and beverage presence in the hotels it operates.
“Alex and I are incredibly passionate about hospitality, and it’s rare to find partners like Darryl and the Schulte team who share that same commitment,” said Zardoni. “By combining our expertise in restaurant operations with Schulte’s resources and reputation, we can create innovative dining concepts that exceed guest expectations and drive long-term value for property owners.”
34th Floor Hospitality works with international hotel and casino companies and restaurant and entertainment brands. Their portfolio features projects for TopGolf, MSC Cruises, Barrière Casino & Resort, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, MGM International and Hilton International.
Zardoni brings more than three decades of global hospitality experience. Before founding 34th Floor Hospitality, Zardoni’s career includes roles as SVP and managing partner of Sugar Factory, director of restaurant development and operations at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas and Wynn Encore Las Vegas, and director of operations for the Aquavit Restaurant in New York City.
Taylor's career includes launching Craftsteak with Tom Colicchio, managing food and beverage operations at Mandalay Bay with top chefs like Alain Ducasse and Wolfgang Puck, and opening Wynn Encore’s $2.4 billion food and beverage program. He founded and operated Due Forni, consulted for Kimpton Hotels during their global expansion and more than doubled the footprint of Postino while serving as COO of Upward Projects.