Yavuz Pehlivanlar

Yavuz Pehlivanlar’s Biography

Yavuz Pehlivanlar is Chief Executive Officer of Hakkasan Group, the global restaurant company behind the brands Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Ling Ling, and Sake no Hana.

Appointed in 2025 as Hakkasan Group entered a new phase under the ownership of Mohari Hospitality, Yavuz oversees operations and strategic growth across the group's international venues. Under his leadership, Hakkasan Group continues to develop its modern Asian dining brands while strengthening its presence in major cities worldwide.

Yavuz has more than three decades of experience in luxury dining, restaurant management and global operations. Prior to joining Hakkasan Group, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Caprice Holdings. In this role, he oversaw operational performance, brand standards and business development across the company’s venues.

Earlier in his career, Yavuz held senior leadership roles with several premier restaurant groups, including 50 Eggs Hospitality Group, d.ream (Doğuş Restaurant Entertainment and Management), COYA Group, The Mina Group and Trader Vic’s. In these positions, he developed expertise... Yavuz Pehlivanlar is Chief Executive Officer of Hakkasan Group, the global restaurant company behind the brands Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Ling Ling, and Sake no Hana.

Appointed in 2025 as Hakkasan Group entered a new phase under the ownership of Mohari Hospitality, Yavuz oversees operations and strategic growth across the group's international venues. Under his leadership, Hakkasan Group continues to develop its modern Asian dining brands while strengthening its presence in major cities worldwide.

Yavuz has more than three decades of experience in luxury dining, restaurant management and global operations. Prior to joining Hakkasan Group, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Caprice Holdings. In this role, he oversaw operational performance, brand standards and business development across the company’s venues.

Earlier in his career, Yavuz held senior leadership roles with several premier restaurant groups, including 50 Eggs Hospitality Group, d.ream (Doğuş Restaurant Entertainment and Management), COYA Group, The Mina Group and Trader Vic’s. In these positions, he developed expertise in restaurant operations, brand development, guest experience and the expansion of premium dining concepts across international markets.

Yavuz’s leadership experience includes luxury restaurants and nightlife venues, with a career centred on the growth and operation of internationally recognised dining brands. In 2025, he was named in the Observer Nightlife & Dining Power Index, recognising influential leaders shaping the future of the industry.

Yavuz earned a Bachelor of Arts in hotel and restaurant management from Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Yavuz Pehlivanlar’s Newsfeed

Catering Today

Yavuz Pehlivanlar named CEO of newly formed Hakkasan Group

Yavuz Pehlivanlar’s Background

Hakkasan Group

Chief Executive Officer & Board Member

Sep 2025 - Present

London, UK

Hakkasan Group is a global hospitality business built around iconic restaurant brands offering innovative, modern Cantonese cuisine and premium dining experiences. In 2025 Mohari Hospitality acquired the Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Ling Ling, and Sake no Hana brands to create Hakkasan Group.

Caprice Holdings Limited

Chief Operating Officer

Jan 2024 - Oct 2025

London, UK

Caprice Holdings Ltd is a London-based restaurant group that owns and operates a collection of high-end dining venues, including Scott’s, Sexy Fish, J Sheekey, and Bacchanalia, as well as private dining and events operations.

50 Eggs Hospitality Group

Chief Operating Officer

Dec 2018 - Jan 2024

Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

50 Eggs Hospitality Group is a restaurant company founded by restaurateur John Kunkel. Launched in 2001 in Miami Beach as a humble sandwich shop, it now develops and operates several restaurant brands, with locations in cities including Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Singapore.

d.ream (Doğuş Restaurant Entertainment and Management)

Executive Vice President

Nov 2016 - Dec 2018

Miami, FL, USA

d.ream (Doğuş Restaurant Entertainment and Management) is a Doğuş Group-backed food and beverage operator founded in 2012. It develops and runs restaurant and entertainment venues in Turkey and internationally.

COYA Group

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Jun 2015 - Jun 2017

Miami, FL, USA

COYA Group is a restaurant and hospitality business centred on Peruvian food and pisco bars. COYA opened in London in 2012 and now has venues in Europe and the Middle East, including London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh and Barcelona. It also previously operated COYA Miami, the brand’s first U.S. outpost.

The Mina Group

Vice President, Operations

2012 - 2015

San Francisco, CA, USA

The MINA Group is a hospitality company founded by chef Michael Mina, known for dining brands such as Bourbon Steak, STRIPSTEAK, Orla, Michael Mina, and Pabu Izakaya. Its portfolio spans steakhouses, seafood restaurants, and other restaurant concepts, with an emphasis on exceptional cuisine, immersive atmospheres, and impeccable service.

Trader Vic's

Various roles and locations culminating in Senior Vice President, San Francisco

Apr 2002 - Jan 2012

Trader Vic’s is a Polynesian-themed restaurant and tiki bar brand founded by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron in California in 1934. Yavuz spent nearly 10 years at the company, progressing from General Manager in Abu Dhabi (2002–2004) to senior operational leadership roles in the San Francisco Bay Area. He served as VP, US Operations (2005–2007), VP for the US & Caribbean (2007–2009), and Senior Vice President (2010–2012).

Trader Vic's at the London Hilton

General Manager

Jan 1999 - Mar 2005

London, UK

Trader Vic’s at the London Hilton on Park Lane was a landmark, basement-level tiki bar and restaurant that opened in 1963. Known for its Polynesian décor, tropical cocktails (including the Mai Tai), and lively atmosphere, it became one of London’s most iconic themed venues. It closed permanently on 31 December 2022 ahead of the hotel’s renovation.

Hotel Breidenbacher Hof

Assistant Front Office Manager

Jul 1993 - Jan 1999

Düsseldorf, DE

Breidenbacher Hof is a five-star luxury hotel in central Düsseldorf, known for its historic “grand hotel” feel and highly personalised service. It offers elegant rooms and suites, a spa with pool and saunas, and on-site dining and bar venues. It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

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Yavuz Pehlivanlar’s Gallery

Current Board Positions

Hakkasan Group

Board Member

2025 - Present

London, UK

Awards & Recognition

Observer Nightlife & Dining Power Index

Ranked #37

2025

Observer’s Nightlife & Dining Power Index is an annual list highlighting influential figures shaping the dining and nightlife landscape. It includes chefs, restaurateurs, operators, investors and innovators, all selected for their impact on hospitality and the industry’s direction