Schulte Hospitality Group Partners With 34th Floor Hospitality to Expand Restaurant Management Capabilities

Partnership Combines Expertise to Revolutionize Hotel and Restaurant Experiences

Schulte Hospitality Group, a leading hotel management and development company with a portfolio of over 200 properties across five countries, announces a partnership with 34th Floor Hospitality, a premier hospitality restaurant management firm. Under the partnership, 34th Floor Hospitality becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Schulte Hospitality Group, combining their expertise to create a powerhouse in hotel and restaurant management.

The agreement positions Schulte Hospitality to further enhance its restaurant offerings, leveraging the industry-leading 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 of the transaction are not disclosed.

“We are pleased to welcome Olivier, Alex, and the 34th Floor team to Schulte Hospitality Group,” said Darryl Schulte, Chairman and CEO. “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.”

This partnership reflects Schulte’s commitment to redefining the integration of hotels and restaurants. By merging the operational strengths of both companies, Schulte is poised to create dining concepts that cater to evolving guest preferences while setting a new standard for hotel-based food and beverage programs. 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 strong hospitality brands. With experience in restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues, they emphasize practical solutions that enhance guest experiences and financial performance. Their expertise will 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 Olivier Zardoni, Founder of 34th Floor Hospitality. “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 a diverse range of clients, including 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. Founder and CEO Oliver Zardoni brings over three decades of global hospitality experience. Prior to founding 34th Floor Hospitality, Zardoni’s career includes roles as SVP & Managing Partner of Sugar Factory, Director of Restaurant Development & Operations at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas and Wynn Encore Las Vegas, and Director of Operations for the Michelin-starred Aquavit Restaurant in New York City. COO and Partner Alex Taylor also brings decades of experience with a career that 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.

Schulte Hospitality Group partners with a wide array of clients, including hotel ownership groups, real estate investors, and developers. They manage a portfolio of properties across major brands like Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG, as well as independent boutique hotels. Schulte’s focus on operational excellence and value creation has positioned them as a trusted partner for optimizing hotel performance and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Combining forces, the team aims to elevate the dining experiences at Schulte’s properties, setting a new standard in the hospitality industry.

About Schulte Hospitality Group:

Schulte Hospitality Group (“Schulte”) is a professional hotel management and development company that manages 200+ properties under brands from Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, and Graduate Hotels. Schulte also operates a dedicated boutique and lifestyle division, Schulte Boutique and Lifestyle, which operates independent and soft-branded hotels. Schulte was founded in 1999 by several generations of experienced hoteliers who had a passion for the business and the drive and fortitude sought by many owners. Headquartered in Louisville, KY and with an office in London, Schulte has assembled an experienced team with talents encompassing all aspects of hospitality who deliver measured success for our clients, loyalty and pride from our associates, and recognition in the industry. Schulte is best known for providing high-touch client service, delivering data-driven top line and bottom-line results to owners, and developing leaders on the property teams. Schulte European Group, headquartered in London, is Schulte’s dedicated European platform offering management and asset management services across Europe.   

About 34^th Floor Hospitality:

34^th Floor Hospitality (“34^th Floor”) is a vertically integrated firm that provides comprehensive restaurant solutions that include brand, marketing, finance and operations. 34^th Floor specializes in providing tailored solutions for each client, asset and issue that range from developing new or reconceived restaurants, deal analysis, interim C-suite leadership, operational auditing and support and complete third-party management solutions. 34^th Floor is a partnership that was formed by Olivier Zardoni and Alex Taylor, who each have extensive experience across the globe in all facets of creating and running artisanal restaurants, including serving as sommelier in fine dining establishments, and opening restaurants with industry legends.