MICHAEL SCHWARTZ

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER + DESIGNER

Michael Schwartz is the Chief Executive Officer and Designer of Forward Hospitality, a Cleveland-based hospitality group known for creating distinctive restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and experiential hospitality concepts.

A Cleveland native, Michael graduated Cum Laude with degrees in Accounting and Finance and began his career as a CPA with Price Waterhouse in the early 1990s. His financial background, combined with the entrepreneurial, design, and construction skills he learned from his father at a young age, shaped the way he approaches hospitality: with creativity, discipline, accountability, and a deep understanding of how great spaces become successful businesses.

Michael entered the hospitality industry in 1996 and has spent nearly three decades designing, building, opening, and operating restaurants and entertainment venues. Over the course of his career, he has designed and built more than 30 facilities, many of which became leading destinations in their markets. His impact on the local hospitality industry earned him induction into the Mayfield High School Hall of Fame, recognizing his leadership and contributions as a Cleveland-area entrepreneur.

In 2014, Michael joined forces with Bobby Rutter to form and grow Forward Hospitality Group. Today, Forward Hospitality operates 19 facilities and continues to expand through original concepts, strategic partnerships, and disciplined growth.

Michael’s role has evolved from hands-on founder and operator to CEO, designer, mentor, and strategic leader. In the early years, he was directly involved in every detail required to open and run a venue, including site selection, lease negotiation, design, construction, staffing, music and entertainment, menu development, accounting, operations, and financial oversight. While he continues to stay closely connected to the creative direction and financial performance of each concept, his primary focus today is leading the company through vision, culture, design, strategy, and the development of great people.

Forward Hospitality’s portfolio reflects the current direction and breadth of Michael’s hospitality experience, with a strong focus on DJ-driven entertainment venues and Nashville-inspired live music concepts, while also spanning sports bars, fast-casual brands, and high-end restaurants. This diversity is one of Michael’s strengths. He understands that every concept needs its own clear identity, brand voice, atmosphere, and guest experience, but that lasting success comes from applying consistent operational discipline, financial standards, and core values across the entire portfolio. Whether creating a refined dining room, a high-energy bar, a neighborhood restaurant, or a destination entertainment venue, Michael’s goal is always the same: to build places that feel memorable, operate efficiently, and connect with the guest.

Michael’s leadership is rooted in the same core values that guide Forward Hospitality: Great Work Ethic, Positive Energy, Creativity, and Team First Attitude. These values are not slogans inside the company; they are the standard Michael expects from himself and the people around him. He leads by example, with a direct, high-energy, and deeply involved style. He believes in outworking the competition, solving problems creatively, supporting the team, and creating opportunities for people to grow into larger roles.

Michael’s design philosophy is central to Forward Hospitality’s success. He believes a great venue should create an immediate emotional reaction the moment a guest walks in. Every detail matters: the layout, lighting, sound, furniture, finishes, bar placement, sight lines, music, service flow, and overall energy of the room. His goal is never simply to build attractive spaces, but to create environments that feel alive, intentional, and financially successful.

His background gives him a unique ability to bridge creativity and business discipline. Michael combines design instincts with construction knowledge, financial analysis, budgeting, operational oversight, and real-world hospitality experience. His formula has remained consistent: create distinctive concepts, build them efficiently, assemble strong teams, and operate with the financial discipline required for long-term success.

Today, Michael continues to lead Forward Hospitality with the same entrepreneurial energy that started his career. His focus is on building enduring hospitality brands, developing future leaders, creating unforgettable guest experiences, and ensuring that Forward Hospitality continues to grow without losing the culture, creativity, work ethic, and team-first mentality that define the company.