IGNACIO GARCIA-MENOCAL
CO-FOUNDER & CEO

Ignacio launched his career as an Audit Manager at the “Big Four” firm Deloitte & Touche, where he helped make a positive impact for clients such as Direct TV, Perry Ellis, Florida Power & Light, Elizabeth Arden, Baptist Health System and the Miami Dolphins. After leaving Deloitte & Touche, he worked at MasterCard as the Director of Accounting for the Latin America Region.

Upon making the leap into the hospitality industry, Ignacio worked at Shula’s Steak Houses for five years as Vice President of Finance and was instrumental to the company’s sustained financial success. From 2011 to 2014, he joined 50 Eggs Restaurant Group as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, where he managed all business functions of the 400-employee company, including negotiating and closing the $24-million sale of its Lime Fresh Mexican Grill division to Ruby Tuesday. He also negotiated development deals with the Sands Corp and assisted in the development and operation of James Beard Award semi-finalists Yardbird Southern Table & Bar and Khong River House, among others.

In 2014, he joined Grove Bay Hospitality Group as Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. In just a few years, Grove Bay Hospitality Group has experienced tremendous growth and success while receiving numerous awards along the way. In 2018, Restaurant Hospitality Magazine named Grove Bay Hospitality Group as one of the Top 25 Innovative Multi-concept Restaurant Groups in the United States, it was listed by Entrepreneur Magazine at #250 for the Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America and was awarded the 2018 Business of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal.

In addition, Ignacio has been recognized in the community by the South Florida Business Journal Magazine as one of its “Top Movers and Shakers” and in 2018, he was recognized by Ernst & Young as an Entrepreneur of the Year Florida Awards finalist. This award recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellent and extraordinary success in areas such as financial performance, innovation and commitment to their businesses and communities. In 2020, Ignacio was recognized as one of the most influential restaurant CEO’s in the country by Nation’s Restaurant News. A true reflection of a career both diverse and successful at every milestone.

Ignacio holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Florida, a Master of Accounting from Florida International University, and a Certificate of Foodservice Management from Cornell University. He also serves as Board Member – Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.