Sam Nazarian
Sam Nazarian | |
|---|---|
سام نظریان | |
 | |
| Born | 1975 (age 49–50) |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation(s) | CEO of Umami Burger Founder & CEO of SBE Entertainment Group |
| Spouse | Emina Cunmulaj |
| Parent | Younes Nazarian |
| Relatives | Izak Parviz Nazarian (uncle) David Nazarian (brother) Angella Nazarian (sister-in-law) Shulamit Nazarian (sister) |
| Website | SBE.com |
Sam Nazarian (Persian: سام نظریان; born 1975) is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of SBE Entertainment Group, a lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages, and operates hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs globally. In 2023, Nazarian expanded his ventures by launching HQ Hotels & Residences, a hospitality brand in alliance with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Nazarian was born into a Persian Jewish family in Tehran, Iran, in 1975. Following the Iranian Revolution, his family immigrated to the United States, settling in Beverly Hills, California. He is the son of Younes Nazarian, an early investor in Qualcomm. Nazarian attended Beverly Hills High School, graduating in 1993, and later studied at the University of Southern California. In recognition of his support, the Beverly Hills High School basketball court was renamed Sam Nazarian Court after he donated $200,000 to the Beverly Hills Athletic Alumni Association.[2]
Business career
[edit]In 1998, Nazarian founded Platinum Wireless, a telecommunications company specializing in the distribution of Nextel products. After selling the company in 2001, he ventured into real estate with his father, establishing 3Wall Development in 1999. In 2002, he founded SBE Entertainment Group, focusing on hospitality ventures.[3]
Under Nazarian's leadership, SBE expanded to include brands such as SLS Hotels, Hyde Lounge, and Katsuya. In 2020, he sold the remaining 50% stake of SBE's hotel platform to Accor Hotels but retained its food and beverage operations.[4]
In 2023, Nazarian re-entered the hotel industry by launching HQ Hotels & Residences through an alliance with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. This initiative focuses on hospitality experiences through dining, nightlife, and wellness.[5]
The first HQ Hotels & Residences locations are planned in Montreux, Switzerland, and Detroit, Michigan. The Montreux property, The HQ Montreux Hotel & Spa, will feature 155 rooms and 42 residences. The Detroit property, HQ Detroit Hotel & Spa, will offer 174 guestrooms.[6]
Monetary and legal difficulties
[edit]In 2014, Nazarian was scrutinised by the Nevada Gaming Control Board as part of his application for a gaming license for the SLS Las Vegas hotel and casino.[7] The investigation found that Nazarian had used cocaine during a trip to Mexico and made approximately $3 million in payments to convicted felon Derrick "Smokey" Armstrong, whom Nazarian described as an extortionist.[7] Some of these payments were allegedly funnelled through associates, including Suge Knight and Hai Waknine.[8] As a result, Nazarian was granted only a one-year limited gaming license, which required him to submit to random drug testing and removed him from daily casino operations. Operational control of the SLS was transferred to Stockbridge Capital, though Nazarian retained a 10% stake.[7]
The Nevada investigation found that Nazarian had paid around $3 million to Armstrong and his affiliates over several years, which Nazarian said were extortion payments made under duress.[9]
In 2015, a group of investors sued Nazarian over an $8 million investment in the SLS South Beach Hotel in Miami, alleging financial misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty. In 2014, Nazarian was scrutinised by the Nevada Gaming Control Board as part of his application for a gaming license for the SLS Las Vegas hotel and casino.[7] A Los Angeles judge found evidence suggesting Nazarian had structured the deal to favor himself and a new partner at the expense of earlier investors.[citation needed]
In 2015, Nazarian's company, SBE, was removed from a Frank Gehry-designed development in downtown Los Angeles.[10] The project's lead developer, Related Companies, cut ties with SBE following the gaming board hearing.[10]
Nazarian’s SLS Las Vegas venture ultimately failed and was later sold and rebranded. Separately, in 2015, Nazarian partnered with Serena Shi for a proposed resort in Coachella, California.[11] The project was later revealed to be fraudulent, and Shi was convicted of wire fraud in 2021 after diverting investor funds for personal use.[11] Nazarian said he and the company were "taken advantage of".[11]
Film production
[edit]Nazarian has been involved in film production as an executive producer. His credits include Waiting..., Down in the Valley, Five Fingers, The Last Time, Mr. Brooks, and College.[12]
Board memberships and recognitions
[edit]From 2008 to 2011, Nazarian served on the board of trustees of the Southern California Institute of Architecture. In July 2009, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed him to the Board of Airport Commissioners of Los Angeles World Airports. In 2014, Nazarian was named to Fortune's 40 Under 40 list.[13]
Personal life
[edit]Nazarian is married to Albanian-American model Emina Cunmulaj. The couple has been involved in philanthropic efforts.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Sam Nazarian's SBE Forms Strategic Alliance with Wyndham". Wyndham Hotels. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Ceasar, Stephen (February 3, 2015). "Along with his name on Beverly Hills campuses, donor buys controversy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "SBE Entertainment Group". Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Accor takes full ownership of SBE hotel brands". Accor. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "HQ Hotels: Sam Nazarian's New Venture". Hotels Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "HQ Hotels Expanding Globally". Hotels Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Martín, Hugo (April 30, 2015). "Hotel and nightclub mogul Sam Nazarian sued over Miami hotel deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ Ellis, Stacy-Ann (December 18, 2014). "Suge Knight And Rick Fox Linked To Sam Nazarian Drug Scandal". VIBE.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ Martín, Hugo (December 16, 2014). "Nazarian loses control of Vegas hotel after embarrassing past surfaces". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ a b Martín, Hugo (March 7, 2015). "Nazarian's company cut from downtown L.A. development". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c Finnegan, Michael (November 23, 2021). "How a high-living thief reaped millions from a Coachella resort she never built". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ "Sam Nazarian - Rotten Tomatoes". Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Fortune 40 Under 40". Fortune. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Sam Nazarian and Philanthropy". Hotels Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
Sam Nazarian at IMDb
- Living people
- 1975 births
- American chief executives of travel and tourism industry companies
- American film producers
- American investors
- American people of Iranian-Jewish descent
- University of Southern California alumni
- Businesspeople from Los Angeles
- Iranian emigrants to the United States
- Nazarian family
- American restaurateurs
- Businesspeople from Beverly Hills, California
- Businesspeople from Tehran
- Exiles of the Iranian Revolution in the United States
- American philanthropists