Gina Luari is CEO and founder of The Statement Group (TSG) — the only female-only owned and led restaurant group in Connecticut — and The Place 2 Be, the popular brunch-all-day restaurant with multiple locations.
In 2020, when many restaurants were shutting down because of the pandemic, Luari grew the business from $3 million in annual revenue to $10 million and has continued to grow it since. She recently launched TSG, which houses multiple bold restaurant concepts and focuses on developing inspired culinary programs and guest experience design.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career?
At this point, both launching The Statement Group and opening our first location of The Place 2 Be (TP2B) across state lines are my biggest professional accomplishments. With what will be five TP2B locations this year and three new concepts in the works, establishing our restaurant group was the logical next step in our expansion.
How are you involved in the community?
We continuously support different community events by donating our food, time and our gift cards. I also participate in events that encourage young entrepreneurs and women to keep working to achieve their dreams.
A particular passion of mine that I am currently working on is to create pathways for young professionals in the culinary industry to where they see it as a viable long-term career.
What do you like to do outside of work?
There is no free time when you’re building a restaurant group! I love what I do and it’s so dynamic, that every day is a full, active day.
Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty?
• Founded a restaurant brand that has skyrocketed in popularity (thanks to our keen use of marketing, social media, décor, and presentation) and continuously grown every consecutive year, having experienced exponential growth during the pandemic.
• Established and leads the only female-only founded and directed restaurant group in Connecticut and created hundreds of jobs.
• Helping to create attention for Hartford as a culinary destination.
• Survived two restaurant floods, a restaurant fire and four restaurant openings.
Fun Fact
My restaurant career started out working in my family’s diner. I did every job imaginable from dishwashing to building menus and everything in between!
Theme Song
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
“Work B*tch” — Britney Spears
Bucket List
What are two things that you would like to achieve before you turn 40?
I want to go national with TSG and The Place 2 Be. All of my goals right now are centered around the business.
Click here to return to HBJ’s 2022 40 Under Forty Award Honorees