Mon 24th Feb 2025 - Burger & Lobster and Goodman founders announce business split Burger & Lobster and Goodman founders announce business split: The long-time partners and co-founders of Burger & Lobster, Goodman Steakhouses, and Beast Restaurant – Misha Zelman, Roman Zelman, Ilya Demichev, and George Bukhov-Weinstein – have announced a formal split of their business interests to focus on different ventures. As part of this strategic decision, effective immediately, the Zelmans have resigned as directors of Goodman Steakhouses and Beast Restaurant, while Demichev and Bukhov-Weinstein have stepped down as directors of Burger & Lobster. Moving forward, Misha Zelman will lead the continued expansion of Burger & Lobster while also focusing on his growing hospitality venture, Creative Restaurant Group. Meanwhile, Demichev and Bukhov-Weinstein will take full ownership of the operations and future development of Goodman Steakhouses and Beast Restaurant. “This marks a natural evolution of our business journey,” said Misha Zelman. “We have built incredible brands together, and this decision allows us to focus on our respective strengths and visions for the future.” Bukhov-Weinstein and Demichev added: “We remain proud of what we’ve achieved and look forward to taking our businesses to new heights.” The quartet said the amicable restructuring “ensures that each brand will continue to thrive under dedicated leadership, maintaining the quality and innovation that have defined them”. In December, Burger & Lobster said it has “ambitious growth planned for the next few years”, which will see its presence more than double in the UK. Burger & Lobster now operates ten UK sites having just opened in Brighton – its first new site in eight years – and a further 11 international locations including New York, Singapore, Bangkok, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Qatar. Propel revealed in December that Burger & Lobster has also secured a new site in London, with plans to open in the Gordon Ramsay Street Burger site at 222 Kensington High Street. The company, which previously operated sites in Cardiff and Manchester, is also understood to be in talks on a site that will see it return to the latter city. Last month, Bukhov-Weinstein and Demichev who are behind Mediterranean restaurant Wild Tavern, announced they are launching a new Japanese concept in London’s Mayfair. The duo will open Haki at 30 Old Burlington Street. Last December, the duo opened Greek restaurant Krokodilos with friend and business partner Elmira Amdiy in Kensington Church Street. That opening came just days after the trio opened Sardinian-focused restaurant Pinna in Curzon Street, in Mayfair. Last October, Propel revealed Bukhov-Weinstein and Demichev are set to open a new site in the City. Propel understands that the pair have secured a new lease on space at Frederick’s Place in Old Jewry, between Gresham Street and Cheapside. Bukhov-Weinstein and Demichev opened the first Wild Tavern in Chelsea’s Elystan Street in December 2019. They followed that up with the opening of Wild in Notting Hill, at 202 Westbourne Grove, last year. The pair also teamed up with London chef Chris Denney to open neighbourhood restaurant Fantômas at 300 King’s Road, in Chelsea, last year. Burger & Lobster features in the Propel 500 report, an unparalleled resource that profiles the UK’s leading hospitality operators ranked by turnover – which is available now. This comprehensive report provides more than 90,000 words of analysis, delving into company histories, leadership structures, site numbers and financial performance, making it an essential resource for industry professionals. A list of the operators included can be discovered now by visiting the Propel 500 page on Propel’s website. The guide is delivered in two parts: an introductory PDF, featuring deep dives into the top 25 companies and 6,500 words of insight from Propel’s expert writers, and a fully searchable Excel sheet, offering easy access to all the data. Key highlights include Mark Wingett’s exploration of mergers and acquisitions shaping the Top 500’s future, Tim Street’s view of the UK’s franchise market, and Phil Pemberton’s insights into experiential leisure as a hospitality cornerstone. Katherine Doggrell examines developments in UK hotels, while Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, identifies emerging growth sectors, and Maria Vanifatova, founder of Meaningful Vision, analyses trends in quick service restaurants. Premium Club members will receive the report for free on Friday (28 February) at 9am. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.