Barteca Restaurant Group announced the appointment of Sabato Sagaria as president of bartaco, the group’s popular coastal-inspired, upscale street food concept. Sagaria succeeds bartaco’s co-founder Scott Lawton, who has been vital in growing and evolving the brand as well as bartaco’s sister concept, Barcelona Wine Bar. A seasoned hospitality industry veteran, Sagaria brings vast expertise to the thriving brand from time spent over the past two decades at several nationally acclaimed hotels and restaurants.
Before joining bartaco, Sagaria served as Chief Restaurant Officer at Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), where he oversaw the company’s New York-based restaurants, helping them expand from nine to 17 concepts over the course of four years. He also brings over 20 years of experience holding various culinary, beverage, and leadership roles at esteemed restaurants and hotels around the country, including The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado; The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, VA; and The Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, WV.
As president of bartaco, Sagaria will work closely with Barteca’s CEO Jeff Carcara and the entire executive team to establish long-term goals and strategies for bartaco’s continued growth. Additionally, Sagaria will oversee all of the brand’s existing locations, which currently span 15 locations across the U.S., advising on overall operations, design, and brand messaging.
“Sabato is joining us from one of the most well-respected companies in the industry,” Carcara says. “The work he has done with concepts that are hyper-focused on hospitality aligns with our company’s constant focus on prioritizing the guest experience. With our planned growth for bartaco and the foundation Scott Lawton has laid, we feel we’ve really found the right person to take it to the next level.”
“When I look at the restaurant industry today, I can’t imagine a more exciting concept to be working with right now than bartaco,” Sagaria says. “It is the perfect vehicle to bring great food, beverage, and hospitality to guests all over the country. I am looking forward to working with the team and continuing to build on their well-deserved success over the past seven years.”
Lawton, who also played an integral role in developing Barteca’s first concept, Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant, will continue to advise on special projects and be a resource to the team as Sagaria assumes his new role.
There are 15 bartaco restaurants in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
