#269: Mathew Focht, EMERGING - Building the Next Generation of Entertainment Destinations

Mathew D. Focht is the Founding Managing Partner of EMERGING, a growth equity and concept development firm helping best-in-class restaurant and entertainment operators scale nationally. With over 25 years of experience, Mathew has worked with hundreds of restaurant and entertainment founders and CEOs, guiding early-stage concepts and technology investments from inception to national recognition.

Mathew is the founder of EMERGING, Emerging Concepts, Consolidated Concepts, Acutely, and FB Insights. He has created operating companies focused on capital, real estate, supply chain, technology, and cost optimization. His portfolio includes prominent concepts such as Puttshack, F1 Arcade, Flight Club, Batbox, Blue Sushi, Federales, Silverspot Cinema, Pour House, City Works, Doc B’s, The PUB, Levity Live, Improv Comedy Club, Bar Louie, Cheesecake Factory, Brio, Bravo, Blue Martini, Hyde Park Steakhouse, Lucky Strike, and Houston’s.

Prior to founding EMERGING, Mathew served as Vice President and executive at RKF Retail Property Advisors, Sierra Advisors, Pyramid Companies, and Steiner & Associates, providing leasing, marketing, and consulting services to developers and emerging chains. He holds an MBA in Finance and Real Estate and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.

Podcast Chapters:

02:23 The Evolution of Experiential Social Entertainment

05:15 Data-Driven Approach to Scaling Concepts

08:02 Leveraging AI and Technology in Entertainment

12:00 Licensing, Avatars, and the Future of Guest Experiences

16:10 Growth Capital and Investment Strategy

20:05 Key Success Factors: Location, Team, Corporate, Technology

24:30 Sports Entertainment Districts and Global Expansion

29:35 Advice for Founders and Emerging Operators

33:21 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Mathew D. Focht:

🏠 Website:https://emerging.com/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-d-focht-89bb88b/

Andrew Petcash:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/