SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA (August 2, 2023) — Christopher J. Collins has joined OTO Development as Vice President, Food & Beverage, bringing a medley of operations experience in restaurants, sports and entertainment venues, private clubs, and hotels.
As part of The Johnson Group, South Carolina-based OTO develops, owns, and operates approximately 70 hotels across the country. Some of these properties offer brand-standard food and beverage while others feature OTO’s proprietary restaurant concepts.
Collins will oversee the full F&B portfolio with an emphasis on elevating the guest experience while expanding revenue opportunities and maximizing profit.
“My goal is to redefine what it means to be a ‘hotel restaurant,’” Collins says. “I’m intrigued by the challenge of drawing in local patrons as well as hotel guests with F&B venues that are destinations in their own right — creative, compelling restaurants and bars that just happen to be located inside hotels.”
This dynamic hospitality executive began his F&B journey at TGI Fridays, where he competed in that brand’s iconic flair competitions while working toward his bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality, and Tourism.
Prior to joining OTO Development, Collins most recently served as Vice President of Food & Beverage with Kraft Sports & Entertainment at Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL’s New England Patriots. His robust resume also includes roles of increasing responsibility with Marriott International at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, and Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa; Levy Restaurants at the AT&T Center; Legends Hospitality at The Star, Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters; and ClubCorp’s City Club & Collegiate Stadium Division.
Collins has earned industry recognition ranging from Marriott’s Spirit to Serve Award to Levy Restaurants’ Presidents of Excellence Award. He has expanded his own knowledge base via certified programs such as LHH Executive Leadership Development & Coaching and General Electric’s Executive Presence, and he has coached others through Marriott’s Impact Breakthrough Leadership Program.
“Chris brings creative and diverse expertise to our leadership team,” says David Ward, COO of OTO Development. “His proven ability to cultivate high-performing teams while emphasizing results-driven procedures will bring our food and beverage venues to the next level.”
Beginning in April 2018 with Castell Rooftop Lounge at AC Hotel in Times Square, New York — and up to, most recently, The Remedy at Beal House in Fort Walton Beach, Florida — OTO Development has been creating proprietary F&B concepts for many of its new and newly renovated properties. From big-city bars to coastal beach cafés, the company operates original brands including:
- Bar Harbor at Hyatt Place National Harbor
- Cane & Barrel Rooftop Bar at AC Hotel St. Petersburg
- Castell Rooftop Lounge at AC Hotel Times Square
- Coconut Charlie’s at Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach, Hyatt Place Panama City Beach, and Homewood Suites Myrtle Beach
- Corella Café & Lounge at AC Hotel Bethesda
- Fairchild’s Public House at Hyatt Centric Mountain View
- Solstice at Lumina on Wrightsville Beach and Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City
- The Kitchen at Hilton Garden Inn in Annapolis, Sunnyvale, Burbank, and Palo Alto
- The Remedy at Beal House Fort Walton Beachfront
- The Starlite Restaurant & Pool Bar at Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach
As Vice President, Food & Beverage, Collins is based out of OTO Development’s corporate headquarters in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina. Away from the office, he enjoys cooking, golfing, and water sports, but his favorite activity of all is family time with his wife, Taylor, and their young daughters Raelynn and Kinsley.
