BOBBY RUTTER

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Bobby Rutter is the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Forward Hospitality, one of the nation's leading experiential hospitality companies. Since co-founding the company in 2014, Bobby has helped build a portfolio of destination restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues that have become recognized for creating unforgettable guest experiences and distinctive brands.

As COO, Bobby leads the company's operations, strategic growth, leadership development, organizational design, and systems implementation. His philosophy is that exceptional hospitality is never created by systems alone—it is built by exceptional people who share a common purpose and culture. Every decision, from hiring to expansion, is guided by Forward Hospitality's four core values:

• Great Work Ethic – Success begins with people who are willing to outwork the competition, embrace accountability, and pursue excellence every day.

• Positive Energy – Hospitality is contagious. The energy leaders bring to their teams ultimately becomes the experience guests receive.

• Creativity – Every shift is filled with problems. Creativity is ability to solve those problems and turn losses into wins.

• Team First Attitude – Individual success means little without collective success. The strongest organizations are built on trust, humility, collaboration, and a willingness to put the team ahead of personal recognition.

These values have become the foundation of Forward Hospitality's culture and have allowed the company to grow while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit on which it was founded.

Today, Forward Hospitality owns and operates a growing portfolio of hospitality concepts, including Good Night John Boy, Welcome to the Farm, Shiso, Trailer Daddy, Hi-Five, and My Rich Uncle, with venues operating across multiple states and continued expansion into new markets.

A passionate advocate for disciplined entrepreneurship, Bobby has led the company's implementation of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), creating alignment, accountability, transparency, and measurable execution throughout the organization. By combining EOS with a culture rooted in the company's core values, Forward Hospitality has developed leaders at every level while building an organization capable of sustained growth.

Beyond day-to-day operations, Bobby is actively involved in concept development, acquisitions, investor relations, capital planning, and long-term strategy. His leadership style emphasizes empowering people, creating clear expectations, and building systems that allow talented teams to thrive. He believes the best leaders remove obstacles, develop future leaders, and create environments where great people can do their best work.

In addition to his role at Forward Hospitality, Bobby is a partner at Rutter & Russin, LLC, where his background in business strategy, negotiations, litigation, and risk management provides a unique perspective that complements his leadership in the hospitality industry.

Whether launching a new concept, mentoring emerging leaders, or expanding into new markets, Bobby remains committed to one mission: building enduring hospitality brands powered by extraordinary people, an unwavering culture, and experiences that guests remember long after they leave.