# STARR Restaurants: Stephen Starr. How a Non-Foodie Built Thriving Restaurants on Gut Instinct

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2026-06-22
- Length: 1h 14m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-22-starr-restaurants-stephen-starr-how-a-non-foodie-built-thriving-restaurants-on-g

## Summary

Stephen Starr, founder of Starr Restaurant Group, explains how he transitioned from a comedy and music promoter to building a portfolio of nearly 40 high-grossing independent restaurants, including Buddakan and Pastis. He details the 'shock and awe' design philosophy behind venues like the Continental and Buddakan, the critical role of hiring the right creative teams, and the brutal unit economics that have made scaling the business significantly harder in recent years. Starr also discusses surviving the COVID-19 pandemic through gift card sales and PPP loans, and his desire to eventually exit the industry via acquisition by a luxury brand like LVMH.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-22-starr-restaurants-stephen-starr-how-a-non-foodie-built-thriving-restaurants-on-g#t=0) Introduction: Stephen Starr and Starr Restaurant Group
- [4:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-22-starr-restaurants-stephen-starr-how-a-non-foodie-built-thriving-restaurants-on-g#t=251) Early Career: Comedy Clubs and Concert Promotion
- [35:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-22-starr-restaurants-stephen-starr-how-a-non-foodie-built-thriving-restaurants-on-g#t=2140) The Continental: First Restaurant and Design Philosophy
- [46:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-22-starr-restaurants-stephen-starr-how-a-non-foodie-built-thriving-restaurants-on-g#t=2795) Buddakan: Scaling the Brand and Theatrical Design
- [59:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-22-starr-restaurants-stephen-starr-how-a-non-foodie-built-thriving-restaurants-on-g#t=3552) Expansion to New York and Operational Challenges
- [1:05:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-22-starr-restaurants-stephen-starr-how-a-non-foodie-built-thriving-restaurants-on-g#t=3931) COVID-19 Survival and Current Industry Economics
- [1:10:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-22-starr-restaurants-stephen-starr-how-a-non-foodie-built-thriving-restaurants-on-g#t=4235) Future Plans and Potential Exit Strategy

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Starr Restaurant Group (company)
- Buddakan (product)
- The Continental (product)
- Pastis (product)
- Le Diplomate (product)
- Makoto (product)
- Global 33 (product)
- Shake Burger and Roll (product)
- Cafe Republic (product)
- Philippe Stark (other)
- Owen Kamahira (other)
- Miguel Calvo (other)
- Christian Liagra (other)
- Wolfgang Puck (other)
- China Grill (product)
- Shinwa on Maine (product)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Live Nation (company)
- Ticketmaster (company)
- LVMH (company)

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## Citing this page

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