Tom DilloN
FoundeR & CEO
As Founder and CEO of Apicii, a bespoke hospitality management and concept development agency, Tom Dillon plays a pivotal role in overseeing and curating our comprehensive team of experts within the restaurant industry. He values people and creativity, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration that acts as the foundational ethos of what Apicii embodies
With more than 30 years of experience as a leader and entrepreneur in his field, Tom has a track record of success creating, developing, or operating several leading global brands such as Pret A Manger, Richard Sandoval Restaurants, Rosa Mexicano, the Patina Restaurant Group and Apicii.
Tom's career has seen every level of the industry, first starting as a dishwasher and working up the ladder to becoming the leader he is today. Throughout his career, he has operated or owned hospitality businesses with combined revenues of over a billion dollars and more than 500 locations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Tom's experience is diverse, having operated at some of the world's leading cultural Institutions and some of America's most famous destinations: the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, the LA Opera, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art Rockefeller Center (Ice Rink, Summer Garden, RCC Café, Sea Grill), Disneyland, EPCOT Center, Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Bowl, and Macy's Flagship NYC store.
He has also developed hospitality venues for many of the world's leading hotel brands: The Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Montage, JW Marriot, Hyatt, Hilton, Fairmont, and Kimpton.
The restaurants and bars Tom has operated have been covered extensively in the press and awarded Best New Restaurant in America on several occasions, as well as several Michelin Stars. In addition to critical acclaim, Tom has operated five of the Top 100 Highest grossing restaurants in America.
Before becoming the Founder and CEO of Apicii, Tom worked all over the world in the hospitality industry in such locations as Brazil, India, Guatemala, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and London. He is now settled with his family in Armonk, NY.
Highlighted Experience:
30 years of experience as a leader and entrepreneur in his field
Record of success creating, developing, or operating several leading global brands such as Pret A Manger, Richard Sandoval Restaurants, Rosa Mexicano, the Patina Restaurant Group and Apicii.
Operated or owned hospitality businesses with combined revenues of over a billion dollars and more than 500 locations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Operated at some of the world's leading cultural Institutions and some of America's most famous destinations: the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, the LA Opera, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, Rockefeller Center, to name a few.
Developed hospitality venues for many of the world's leading hotel brands: The Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Montage, JW Marriot, Hyatt, Hilton, Fairmont, and Kimpton.
Operated 5 of the Top 100 Highest grossing restaurants in America
Several venues he's operated have been awarded Best New Restaurant in America and have several Michelin Stars
Inclusion in Robb Report’s The 25 Most Beautiful New Restaurants in America in 2022
The Wheel voted Best of The Gold Coast Connecticut 2022
Merois at Pendry 5-star review from Time Out 2021