Cameron Mitchell Restaurants and Designing for Hospitality

Randy Roberty, AIA, NCARB, Director of Design and Architecture at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, joins us to explore how thoughtful design shapes the dining experience - from the moment you walk through the door to the invisible details you feel but never notice. With 113 restaurant openings across 20 concepts, Cameron Mitchell has become one of the Midwest's most influential hospitality groups. Randy shares the philosophy behind their approach: why first impressions matter more than most realize, how lighting and acoustics drive connection, and why back-of-house design is just as critical as the dining room. We also discuss Columbus as a restaurant testing ground, the discipline of walking away from sites that don't fit, and what's next - including their first hotel project at Bridge Park. Whether you're an architect, restaurateur, or just someone who appreciates a well-designed space, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what separates good restaurants from great ones.