With more than 2 decades of culinary experience, hospitality veteran Andy Hooper has managed some of the biggest dining establishments in the US. Having operated in New York City, Nashville and Las Vegas, Hooper has been an instrumental force in the development of inventive initiatives, restaurant operations, profitability and advancing the careers of his team. His unparalleled hospitality has been integral in turning restaurants into top culinary destinations.
After graduating from Tennessee State University with a bachelor of science in hospitality and tourism administration, Hooper took his skill set to Las Vegas, to serve as General Manager at B&B Hospitality Group, overseeing the opening of Mario Batali’s first restaurants in Las Vegas, B&B Ristorante and Carnevino Italian Steakhouse. He also worked with MGM Resorts International as a General Manager, giving him vital insight in collective bargaining agreements and large scale resort management. Hooper continued his hospitality journey by serving as the General Manager of Steven Starr’s Buddakan in New York City, and then Director of Operations for Alicart Restaurant Group and for Chef Daniel Boulud and Dinex Group, where he was responsible for rebranding and redesigning the various concepts and essential executive operations.
In May 2017, Hooper opened The Black Sheep in southwest Las Vegas, serving an original take on casual modern Vietnamese-American food in an elevated neighborhood environment at an approachable value. With the success of The Black Sheep, Eater Las Vegas’ “Restaurant of the Year” 2017, Hooper has been a part of the developing movement of off-Strip restaurants in Las Vegas. In June 2019, Hooper opened a new project called Locale in Mountain’s Edge. Locale has grown into a Italian cuisine powerhouse, being honored with a James Beard nomination in 2019, and 2019 Nevada Restaurant Association New Restaurant of the Year.
In December 2020, HHC opened its Mexican concept, El Luchador – Mexican Kitchen + Cantina in Las Vegas, and in 2021, El Luchador expanded to Henderson, NV. The Saint Italian Steakhouse opened in Downtown Dallas, TX. Night Rooster, Meet Me Outside, Good Neighbor Coffee are next with openings in 2023-24 and a boutique hotel slated for 2026
