Team

Michael L. Atkinson | Principal | Managing Director

Principal

Michael L. Atkinson has 30 years of business experience as an entrepreneur, senior-level executive and investment banker in consumer industries. Beginning as a restaurant manager with Victoria Station, Inc. in 1977, Michael has made a career of working with promising young companies and advising corporate executives on business matters dealing with strategy, expansion, corporate finance, corporate development, concept creation, real estate, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and franchising, among other matters. In connection with this, Michael has participated in over 100 investment and business advisory assignment as investment banker, corporate financial adviser and/or registered investment adviser to companies operating in technology, food and beverage, retail, restaurant, financial services, franchising, entertainment, sports and leisure, media, and Internet industries. Michael has originated and closed many domestic and international strategic partnerships and financing in Europe and Asia as both a principal and agent.

Michael began his finance career at Shearson Lehman Bros. in New York City in 1984. Starting as a financial consultant, Michael then worked in the debt securities group in NYC and Albany, NY, becoming an analyst and then an Investment Banking associate. In 1988 Michael co-founded Stanford Capital Partners, a San Francisco-based boutique investment bank and money management firm specializing in advising emerging technology and consumer sector companies and, high net worth investors on money management strategies.

From 1997 to 2005, Michael held senior-level executive positions at Next Century Restaurants, Inc, the operator of four and five star celebrity chef Michael Mina restaurants in San Francisco and Las Vegas; SteppingStone Capital Partners, LLC, a private equity fund-less sponsor and; Cheeseburger in Paradise, a developer and operator of famous restaurants in Hawaii, Las Vegas and Florida and in 2007, founded FOHBOH, a leading social web technology company that is focused on the foodservice industry.

Michael attended the University of Nevada-Reno and held NASD securities certifications Series 7 and 63, and is a former Registered Investment Adviser and is a Michael is a published author and frequent speaker and foodservice industry blogger.

Michael A. Nahkunst | Principal

Principal

Mr. Nahkunst is a highly successful restaurant industry veteran with over 35 years of experience in building and operating several top-rated brands in the hospitality industry. A few of his key leadership roles include Chief Operating Officer of  The Cheesecake Factory and BJ’s Restaurants and various senior level executive positions with Brinker International, Inc. the parent company of Chili’s restaurant group with whom he spent over 17 years growing from its early inception. Mr. Nahkunst is a Principal of Bailiwick Capital Partners, a strategic corporate development and financial advisory firm specializing in the restaurant industry. Currently, Mike serves on the Board of Directors of Kona Grill, Inc. (NASDAQ:KONA) where he is a member of the audit committee and is the  interim CEO. Mike also serves as an Advisory Board member to FOHBOH.com, a leading social web technology company that is focused on the foodservice industry.

Larry DuLittle | Principal

Larry DuLittle has been a successful Restaurant operator for the past 35 years. He encompasses all the skills required to conceptualize, concept development, hire and develop management teams, budget, open, staff/train, expand, direct, and operate a profitable Restaurant company.
For the past 2 years, Larry was Vice President of Food and Beverage, and Development for Crews Enterprises an airport concessionaire with Retail and Food and Beverage outlets in Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International and Los Angeles International airports.
As a Principle at Bailiwick Capital Partners, Larry as had the responsibility to consult, advise, create, and work directly with many Restaurant brands to achieve their goals. Most recently he was the Project Manager from construction through opening of the newly created Urban Tavern Restaurant in conjunction with Hilton Hotels in San Francisco. This 2 ½ star restaurant featured a celebrity chef and grossed in excess of $8 million annually. As a union property we were also charged with negotiating with the union throughout the process, in addition to establishing cash controls, budgeting, and interfacing with the Hotel accounting department.

Prior to this Larry was the Regional Manager/Franchise Consultant for LaSalsa Fresh Mexican grill for 9 years starting in 1999. He was responsible for up 12 quick casual outlets while opening 5 new stores, and all 4 of the company’s full service restaurants located on the Las Vegas strip. The  full service units alone grossed over $16 million.