We have had the opportunity of working with Michael Karp on several projects over the years in addition to being a celebrated guest on The Restaurant Dealmaker Show Ep#15 (30k views and growing!).
Michael has been in the food & beverage/restaurant business for over 30 years, since graduating Tulane in 1992 and taking a management position with the Acapulco and El Torito Restaurant Group. After becoming the company’s youngest GM, he decided to join Hillstone Restaurants where He managed restaurants in the Los Angeles and Atlanta markets from 1994 to 1996. In 1997, Michael was on the opening team for the Outback Steakhouse location in Mesa, AZ while interviewing with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Hall of Fame baseball player Robin Yount to help open Leinenkugel’s Ballyard Brewery just outside Bank One Ballpark.
Michael was the GM and project manager for the Diamondbacks for two years, and then was recruited to help Alice Cooper do the same at Alice Cooperstown rock ‘n roll sports themed concept where he stayed until 2000.
In 2000 Michael was contacted by Tim Leiweke and Brenda Tinen of the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) to help with the food and beverage service at Staples Center in Los Angeles. He ran the AEG food and beverage program worldwide, managing over $250mm in revenue until 2004. he was then recruited by Live Nation to run their North American food and beverage program from 2004-2008 where he managed over $300mm in revenue. In 2008, he was the COO for a start-up, family owned QSR concept called Sellers Markets. He shared the board with well-known restauranteur, Al Baldocchi, who had much to do with the success of Chipotle.
Starting in 2010, Michael decided to open his own restaurants listed below:
- 2010 – Table 24, American Comfort Food, Orinda, CA (sold 2018)
- 2011 – Barbacoa Mexican, Orinda, CA (currently operating as The Fourth Bore since 2015)
- 2013 – Forge Pizza, Oakland, CA
- 2013 – Forge Pizza, Danville, CA (sold in 2020)
- 2014 – Forge Pizza, Phoenix, AZ (sold 2018)
- 2016 – Forge Pizza, Napa, CA
- 2020 – Forge Pizza Fire Truck, Mobile
- President & Co-Founder of The Siesta Valley Bowl in Orinda, CA (formerly Cal Shakes), a 1000 cap entertainment venue which will host performing arts, nationally touring live music of all genres, private events and festivals started in December 2024. www.siestavalleybowl.com
- Opened in August 2025 a new concept at Deer Ridge Country Club in Brentwood, CA called Eight Acres Kitchen & Bar (8000 square foot restaurant and entertainment venue).
RRC had the opportunity in selling Table 24 in Orinda and Forge Pizza in Danville. We also recently sold Michael the Beer Baron at 5900 College Avenue, “Rockridge,” Oakland and he moved his Jack London Square operations here to open a Forge Pizza there. https://forgerockridge.com/
Michael is a progressive restaurateur, and we wish him continued success in all his endeavors and look forward to working with him on future projects.
Restaurant management background includes:
Acapulco, El Torito, Hillstone Restaurants, Outback Steakhouse, Alice Cooper’s Cooperstown, AEG’s Staples Center, Live Nation’s North American Food & Beverage Program, the Arizona Diamondbacks Food & Beverage and more.
