Projects & Experience
Big 4 Restaurants
Lee Cohn was the founder and President of Big 4 Restaurants in Phoenix, AZ from 1975 to 2005. Big 4 was the largest restaurant group in Arizona for more than 30 years. His concepts included Steamers, Lunt Ave. Marble Club, Pops Pizzeria, Oscar Taylors, Ed Debevics, American Grill, and Aldo Baldo, to name a few. Lee is known in the restaurant world as one of the most experienced and knowledgeable “restaurant guys” in the world, creating over 30 concepts in the USA, China, Hong Kong, and Canada.
Morton's Steakhouse
Lee Cohn served as Chairman of the Board for Morton’s Steakhouse for 10 years in the 1990s. He helped grow Morton’s to over 65 restaurants. Driven by the desire to provide genuine hospitality, for Morton’s guests and employees, we created a setting where people truly care about one another and show it in everything they do. The high level of respect and enthusiasm that runs through our entire organization is evident in many ways, including the longevity of our staff and managers, some of whom have been with us for decades, all started with Lee’s vision and leadership.
Mastro's Restaurant Group
Lee Cohn spearheaded the acquisition of Mastro’s Restaurant Group in 2007. He remained on the Board until the sale in 2014.
Steak 44
Lee Cohn served on the Board of Steak 44 for two years.
Tacolicious
Tacolicious engaged Lee Cohn & Associates to provide strategic and financial counsel for the development of a strategic growth plan and capital raise. Lee Cohn & Associates’ far reaching experience in the food service and hospitality industry was influential in completing the deal. Joe Hargrave, CEO and founder of Tacolicious Inc., said that “Lee Cohn & Associates navigated my company through a very bumpy reorganization in 2017. They introduced me to a great lender during the pandemic when we needed it most. Most recently they brokered the deal with Tacolicious and a very high-quality capital partner. Wallace and Lee are industry professionals who get the job done, but most importantly, they’re good friends.”
Humble Pie
Humble Pie has restaurants throughout the Metropolitan Phoenix area, as well as one in Tucson. Locations include on Featuring a varied menu highlighted by wood-fired artisan pizza served in a contemporary environment with a neighborhood vibe, the chain has served over a million pizzas in its ten-year history. Lee Cohn & Associates was engaged by the seller to provide strategic and financial advice during the sale process. The Lee Cohn & Associates team’s wide-ranging senior-level experience in the food service and hospitality industries were instrumental in bringing about the successful conclusion of the deal.
Casual Italian Concept
The founder of a casual Italian concept brought us in to initially do a “blink” consultation on his organization. We were engaged to review all aspects of the company. Our findings resulted in a restructure of the organization that put the top people in the field to support operations. We also restructured the company legally and migrated all the shareholders into a parent and sub structure. These improvements increased prime margin by 6 percentage points and resulted in sales increases of 4.8%.
Brands & Clients
- Pita Jungle
- Nektar
- Streets of New York
- Oregano’s
- Flores Family Restaurants – Tucson
- True Salt
- Scott Harris Hospitality
- Francesca’s
- Square One Concepts
- Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers
- Bourbon & Bones
- Macayo’s
- Barrio Queen
- Slanted Door
- Cafe Gratitude
- Charles Phan
- Gracias Madre
- Perspire (first non-restaurant client)
- Daytryp Health