Guy Vaknin, Founder, CEO, and Executive Chef of City Roots Hospitality, shares how he built a unique New York City portfolio of eight plant-based restaurant concepts by owning the “behind-the-scenes” engine—an in-house production facility that drives consistency, reduces waste, and elevates execution. He explains how he rebuilt after COVID, grew the business 1500% since 2020, and why he turned down a $1.5M Shark Tank deal to preserve the ability to pivot fast and control his destiny.
The interview was recorded on March 5th, 2026.