Old world hospitality meets modern day technology

About VCR Group

VCR is comprised of kind and talented operators with a simple focus of creating consumer-centric experiences through unmatched hospitality.

VCR achieves this by combining old-world hospitality with modern-day technology to create, develop and operate thoughtful restaurant and hospitality concepts, culinary experiences, and other food products both in the physical and digital space.

All of VCR’s products have unique value propositions and deliver frictionless guest experiences.

Our Approach

VCR believes in differentiated restaurant and hospitality concepts that create unique guest experiences across multiple price points and occasions, both in the digital and physical space. VCR can bring value to these concepts in different forms; as creators, owners, managers and investors while remaining true to our mission of delivering unparalleled consumer experiences. Our combined 75+ years in operations, marketing and branding, hospitality and business development have given VCR the ability, resources and relationships to build scalable and sustainable brands.

Who we work with

VCR collaborates with Chefs, Developers, Hoteliers, Operators, Bakers, Entrepreneurs, and many others in the food & beverage landscape – to produce meaningful projects that bring value and happiness to everyone it touches.

Our team is perfectly crafted

Founder & Chairman

Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary Vaynerchuk is the chairman of VaynerX, a modern-day media and communications holding company and the active CEO of VaynerMedia, a full-service...

Gary Vaynerchuk is the chairman of VaynerX, a modern-day media and communications holding company and the active CEO of VaynerMedia, a full-service advertising agency servicing Fortune 100 clients across the company’s 4 locations.

In addition to VaynerMedia, VaynerX also includes Gallery Media Group, which houses women’s lifestyle brand PureWow and men’s lifestyle brand ONE37pm. In addition to running VaynerMedia, Gary also serves as a partner in the athlete representation agency VaynerSports and cannabis-focused branding and marketing agency Green Street.

Gary co-founded restaurant-reservation app, Resy, which was acquired by American Express in 2019, as well as Empathy Wines, which was acquired by Constellation Brands in 2020.

Gary is a board/advisory member of Ad Council and Pencils of Promise, and is a longtime Well Member of Charity:Water.

Gary is a highly sought after public speaker, a 5-time New York Times bestselling author, as well as a prolific angel investor with early investments in companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Venmo, and Uber.

Gary is currently the subject of DailyVee, an online documentary series highlighting what it’s like to be a CEO and public figure in today’s digital world, as well the host of The GaryVee Audio Experience, a top 100 global podcast, and host of #AskGaryVee, a business and advice Q&A show which can be found on both YouTube and Facebook.

Gary also appeared as judge in Apple’s first original series “Planet of the Apps” alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and Will.i.am.

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

David Rodolitz

David has been in the New York City hospitality industry for 20+ years and has owned and operated various food & beverage establishments, from James Beard nominated restaurants...

20+ YEARS IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AS AN OPERATOR
David has been in the New York City hospitality industry for 20+ years and has owned and operated various food & beverage establishments, from James Beard nominated restaurants, to fast-casual concepts, iconic bars and nightlife venues. David has vast experience in business development, operations, marketing, branding, lease negotiations, financial controls & management, culture optimization, training & more.

STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS
David's extensive and strategic relationships with private equity groups, real-estate developers/owners, builders, designers, & top-tier talent in the hospitality labor pool gives David a competitive advantage in sourcing & securing opportunistic deals and creating long-standing, successful places

FOUNDING PARTNER & OPERATING MEMBER EMPELLON
David is a founding partner of the Empellon Restaurant Group, which he operated and built alongside Chef Alex Stupak from 2011 -2019. During this time, he opened multiple concepts, including a 3-star NYTimes, 7,500 sq ft flagship in midtown, NYC

FOUNDER & OWNER OF IMPULSE PRODUCTIONS
David's entrepreneurial drive in the hospitality industry started at an early age. In 2003, he founded Impulse Productions, a premier Event-Planning company which works with some of the largest Fortune 100 & 500 companies around the world

Founder & Chief Culinary Officer

Josh Capon

Chef Capon’s culinary journey started when he was discovered by the legendary chef Charlie Palmer following his graduation from Johnson & Wales University. Lovingly known as “Capon” to those...

Chef Capon’s culinary journey started when he was discovered by the legendary chef Charlie Palmer following his graduation from Johnson & Wales University.

Lovingly known as “Capon” to those within the culinary and hospitality world, he sharpened his skills as an extern at Aureole, before assisting in the opening of the Lenox Room. He’d go on to work for the great David Burke at the institution that is Park Avenue Cafe before he decided to color his passport with stamps traveling through Italy, Germany, France, and most of Europe building an eclectic palette of tastes and techniques that would prepare him for his next chapter as a celebrated chef.

During his tenure as sous chef under Gary Kunz at The St. Regis Hotel’s Astor Court, he would reunite with chef Charlie Palmer and go on to become the Executive Chef of Alva, Palmer’s American Bistro, and Matthew’s on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

His next act would lead him to New York’s beloved neighborhood of SoHo where he would take the reins as Executive Chef of Canteen, and then opening the iconic Lure Fish Bar, followed by Burger & Barrel Winepub, El Toro Blanco, and Bowery Meat Company where he would serve as Executive Chef / partner in the Mercer Street Hospitality Group.

In 2021, Capon joined David Rodolitz, Conor Hanlon, and Gary Vaynerchuk to start their own hospitality portfolio aptly named VCR Group with a focus of creating consumer-centric experiences through unmatched hospitality.

Capon is a 7-time winner of the People’s Choice award at the NYC Wine & Food Festival, Burger Bash. His appearances on the Food Network, Rachael Ray, CBS Early Show, TODAY, and Good Morning America over the past decade have made him one of the most sought after chefs and entertainers in the culinary world.

When he’s not dancing around the kitchen or the restaurant floor, Capon can be found at his home in New Jersey where he enjoys cooking for his favorite four top, his wife and two kids.

Partner & EVP of Operations

Conor Hanlon

After graduating from college, Conor decided to follow his passion in the hospitality industry and began to work his way up through the positions in the back of house and after three years...

Conor Hanlon, born and raised in Upstate New York, was brought up in a large family that valued tradition and food, which was always at the center of family gatherings. After graduating from college, Conor decided to follow his passion in the hospitality industry and began to work his way up through the positions in the back of house and after three years of working in some of the best restaurants in the country, he found himself working alongside Daniel Boulud at his namesake, Cafe Boulud in Palm Beach, Florida. Over the next six years Conor worked directly with Boulud on several different projects including locations in Palm Beach, New York, Las Vegas, and Miami. Conor had worked his way from a line cook to Chef De Cuisine of Michelin Starred restaurant, DB Brasserie. This time spent with Daniel set the tone for his future.
In 2011, Conor began working with Chef Andrew Carmellini and NoHo Hospitality as the Chef De Cuisine of The Dutch Miami. After a short time, Conor was asked to run the entire Food & Beverage program at the W Hotel South Beach Miami, Starwood’s flagship W location. He continued to hone his skills and was promoted to Culinary Director for NoHo Hospitality and moved to NYC in 2015 to join the corporate Team which oversees 17 Restaurants in New York, Baltimore, Miami, Nashville and Detroit.
Hanlons food pays homage to traditional cuisine, utilizing classic techniques with global and cultural influences that lends to heartfelt dining experiences. Conors keen eye for detail has transcended cuisine and carried over to his design of kitchen and restaurants, believing it plays an integral part in the hospitality experience. From traveling around the world, Conor is fueled by his passion for culture, experience, cuisine, and aesthetic.

An unmatched hospitality experience through every interaction.

VCR Group loves hearing about new projects or concepts to collaborate on. Get in touch today.