Sam Bakhshandehpour is chief executive officer and board member of José Andrés Group (JAG), a restaurant and media company. Driven by the mission of “Changing the world through the power of food,” JAG’s platform spans 40-plus world-class restaurants across nine markets globally, including the 2-Michelin starred minibar by José Andrés and numerous Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants.

Bakhshandehpour also runs José Andrés Media (JAM), which produces food-related cultural content across scripted and unscripted media channels—film and television, books, podcasts, and digital content, including the Emmy-award winning series José Andrés and Family In Spain and The New York Times bestselling Zaytinya cookbook. JAG also houses numerous global partnerships as well as a consumer products platform offering best-in-class products from around Spain.

Through his hospitality investment platform, the Silverstone Companies, Bakhshandehpour has made numerous investments including The Electric Jane (private membership club and live music lounge/restaurant); Cultivate Hospitality (F&B programming); Bazaar by José Andrés; and select other hotel, restaurant, and lifestyle properties.

Named one of the “Most Important People in Hospitality” on the Observer’s 2023 Dining and Nightlife Power List, Bakhshandehpour previously served as president, CEO, and board member of sbe Entertainment, a private-equity backed hotel, restaurant, and nightlife company with over 80 properties globally.

Bakhshandehpour started his career on Wall Street with J.P. Morgan Securities running the Global Casino and West Coast Real Estate & Lodging Investment Banking practice focused on mergers and acquisitions and capital raising.

Bakhshandehpour holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. He serves on the board of Shift4 as an Independent Director and member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. Sam also serves on the Restaurant Advisory Boards for both Fiserv Inc and Bilt Technologies, Inc. He is currently a member of Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA)’s 2025 Advisory Board and Food & Beverage Committee.