The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

Investing in the hospitality industry with Nate Edgerly

Jul 8, 2025

Nate Edgerly, CEO of Enzo Group Inc., shares his fascinating journey from CPA to private equity leader in hospitality. He discusses how empathy and culture drive exceptional leadership, revealing what separates the great CEOs from the rest. Nate highlights common pitfalls in private equity, stressing the importance of long-term strategies over quick gains. He also unveils Enzo Group’s innovative approach to democratizing investment in hospitality, making it accessible to individual investors and underscoring the significance of effective systems in the sector.

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ANECDOTE

Nate's Career Journey

Nate Edgerly transitioned from CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers to COO/CFO then CEO in private equity focused on hospitality.
He gained deep operational experience, including leading turnarounds and navigating crises like COVID, enriching his investment insights.

INSIGHT

Leadership Empathy Gained

Operating a business enhanced Nate's empathy and understanding of leadership challenges.
This experience made him a better partner to CEOs by deeply relating to their day-to-day struggles.

INSIGHT

People-Focused Leadership

Exceptional CEOs focus on serving and supporting their people to create a thriving work culture.
Empathy and people-centric leadership drive employee and customer success.

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In this insightful episode, Nate Edgerly, CEO of Enzo Group Inc., discusses his journey from CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers to a seasoned private equity investor and executive leader in the hospitality industry. Nate shares valuable insights on leadership, long-term investing, and what makes hospitality businesses thrive or fail.

Key Takeaways:

Nate’s journey from CPA to CEO, highlighting his pivotal experiences in private equity and operating roles.
Lessons learned from running a business, enhancing empathy, and effectively partnering with leadership teams.
What separates exceptional CEOs: empathy, people-focus, and creating a supportive culture.
Common private equity mistakes: prioritizing short-term gains over long-term strategic growth and cultural investment.
The decision behind Enzo Group's unique approach to raising capital—democratizing access beyond institutional investors.

Notable Mentions:

Book Recommendations:
- Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
- Warren Buffett’s investor letters
- Leadership insights by Simon Sinek, Daniel Pink, John Maxwell
- Mastery by Robert Greene
Brands Admired:
- Ladybird Taco, Original Chop Shop, Cava, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Golden Corral

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Nate Edgley
02:30 – Nate’s early career and transition to private equity
06:10 – What Nate learned from operating roles
10:00 – Qualities of exceptional CEOs
13:15 – Mistakes private equity firms make and Nate's long-term investment philosophy
17:20 – Enzo Group’s unique capital-raising strategy
21:45 – Why choose the volatile hospitality industry?
27:30 – Critical success factors for restaurant businesses
32:00 – Brands admired by Nate and reasons behind their success
38:00 – Nate's insights on executive search firms
42:00 – Influences, recommended readings, and learning resources
45:20 – How to connect with Nate Edgley

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection www.raw-selection.com