ABOUT

We specialize in independent start-ups looking to get their restaurant off the ground to multi-unit operators who have a vision of where they want their business to go and are looking to take it to the next level.

 

Tony Bardwell - Owner/Operator

Tony Bardwell’s commitment to the restaurant business spans a 25 year career.   Over the years he has gained a great deal of business acumen and achieved an impressive list of accomplishments.  In 2007, Bardwell’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to branch out on his own.  Since then, his creativity, drive and focus have afforded him much success, most recently as co-creator of the award winning Firecakes Donuts.

 

Co-Creator, Firecakes Donuts, LLC

Opened in 2013, Firecakes Donuts was an immediate success.  The hand made, small batch donut shop in the heart of Chicago’s River North area quickly received local and national recognition as one of the best donut shops in the U.S. with accolades from Condé Nast, Trillist, Eater National, and Zagats.  Firecakes was featured on the Steve Harvey Show, winning a Donut contest against the famed Dough Donuts from Brooklyn.

 

Co-Founder, La Madia, LLC

Prior to his success with Firecakes, Bardwell partnered with former Maggiano’s COO to open La Madia in 2007.  La Madia is an artisan wood fired Pizza & Wine concept located in Chicago’s River North restaurant mecca.  Bardwell’s vision focused on product knowledge, building an internal wine education program, and fostering a culture of hospitality.  Under Bardwell’s leadership, La Madia built a global wine list which offers 78 by the glass wines and over 300 labels and celebrates several Wine Spectator awards.

 

Managing Partner, Maggiano’s Little Italy

Bardwell’s career gained momentum when he accepted a management position at Chicago-based Maggiano’s Little Italy in 1997.  During initial training, his talent gained attention and he was asked to help open the first West coast outpost in Costa Mesa, California.  An initial 6 month commitment turned into a 5 year stint that resulted in a position as General Manager leading a 10+ mm dining room.  That success led him on to open another restaurant in West Hollywood’s Grove development.  When the struggling Chicago flagship was in need of some new leadership, Bardwell returned to Chicago and within 18 months he turned the operation around.  Under his direction they achieved budgeted sales and were chosen as a beta restaurant for new marketing and service initiatives.  Bardwell had risen to the position of Managing Partner by the time he decided to venture out as a co-founder of La Madia.