Abraham Merchant

President & CEO

Mr. Merchant holds the position of President & Chief Executive Officer at the Company, with a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in the food service and hospitality industry. His impressive tenure has seen him launch and successfully manage over 32 acclaimed New York City restaurants, including renowned establishments such as Philippe Chow, Ophelia Grand Terrace, Merchants NY, Art Bar & Lounge, Industry Kitchen, Treadwell Park among others. He is now spearheading the domestic and international expansion of the Philippe Chow Brand.

In addition to his hands-on approach in day-to-day operations, Mr. Merchant is the Managing Director of each of these restaurants and oversees all affiliated properties. The successes and strategies employed by his company have been so impactful that they have become part of college case studies. Under his guidance, an experienced management team leads a workforce of more than 800 dedicated staff members. 

Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Mr. Merchant is deeply invested in academia and the broader hospitality sector. He has been a guest lecturer at Fordham University's Business School and serves on the board of the NYC Hospitality Alliance. Additionally, he holds a position on the Advisory Board for the innovative hospitality tech firm, SEATED.

In 2024 Mr. Merchant joined an invite-only delegation of company CEOs to the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China, organized by the US-China Chamber of Commerce.

Before reaching his current accolades, Mr. Merchant served as the Regional Director for Riese Restaurants, where he was instrumental in generating $200 million in revenues for one of New York City's largest conglomerates in the realms of restaurant, retail, and real estate management.

Outside of his business commitments, Mr. Merchant cherishes personal moments in Manhattan with his wife and son. An avid sports enthusiast, he enjoys hitting the ski slopes and diving into spirited games of squash and tennis.