How Many Restaurants Does John Tesar Have?

John Tesar Restaurants: Key Takeaways

John Tesar currently owns 5 restaurants all located in the United States.
His restaurant portfolio includes 1 Michelin-starred venue, the upscale Knife & Spoon in Orlando.
The brand features diverse concepts from steakhouses and Italian steakhouse to casual gourmet burger joints.
Recent expansion focuses on the Dallas, Texas area and partnerships with luxury groups like Ritz-Carlton.

Chef John Tesar is a prominent American chef and restaurateur known for his expertise in steakhouse cuisine and refined dining experiences. His portfolio covers an intimate collection of five restaurants, predominantly in Texas and Florida.

This article explores John Tesar’s restaurant empire, from his acclaimed Michelin-starred offering to his approachable casual brands. We cover locations, key concepts, and his growth strategy through 2025.

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John Tesar Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

John Tesar’s restaurant empire is concentrated entirely within the United States, totaling five venues as of mid-2025. All locations operate under John Tesar’s ownership or licensed arrangements, with no franchised outlets in his portfolio.

His footprint includes upscale steakhouses and more casual concepts, with restaurants primarily located in Texas and Florida. This regional focus supports a coherent brand identity and operational oversight.

Region	Approx. Number of Restaurants	Notable Examples
United States	5	Knife Steakhouse (Dallas, Plano TX), Knife Italian (Irving TX), Knife & Spoon (Orlando FL), Knife Burger (Orlando FL)

Note: All restaurants are owned or licensed; none are franchised. The portfolio focuses on quality control within a limited number of markets.

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Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

John Tesar’s most prestigious venue is Knife & Spoon in Orlando, Florida, which earned its first Michelin star in 2020. This restaurant offers an upscale steak and seafood dining experience with attention to seasonal ingredients and refined techniques.

Knife & Spoon is currently Tesar’s only Michelin-starred restaurant and acts as the flagship of his brand, setting the quality benchmark for other venues.

Knife & Spoon (Orlando, FL, USA) – 1 Michelin star. Opened in 2020, located within the Ritz-Carlton, this restaurant is celebrated for its innovative steak and seafood dishes in an elegant setting.

Its Michelin status distinguishes John Tesar within the competitive American steakhouse landscape, enhancing his culinary reputation nationally.

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Notable John Tesar Restaurant Concepts and Locations

John Tesar’s portfolio includes several distinct restaurant concepts, each tailored to different dining preferences and price points. The collection ranges from formal steakhouse experiences to casual burger joints, all showcasing his culinary style.

Knife Steakhouse

This is John Tesar’s core steakhouse brand, known for dry-aged steaks and a modern ambiance. Knife Steakhouse has two Texas locations: Dallas and Plano.

Both restaurants serve premium cuts with an upscale yet approachable atmosphere. Price range per person runs from $75 to $150, aligning with its fine dining steakhouse position.

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Knife Italian

Located in Irving, Texas, Knife Italian blends Italian culinary influences with classic steakhouse fare. The menu includes house-made pastas alongside steaks, appealing to customers seeking variety.

Its price range is slightly more moderate at $50 to $100 per person, emphasizing approachable luxury.

Knife & Spoon

Knife & Spoon operates as Tesar’s Michelin-starred flagship venue in Orlando, Florida. Opened in 2020 within the Ritz-Carlton hotel, it centers on steak and seafood with a focus on upscale dining.

The pricing here is premium, typically $100 to $200 per person or higher for special tasting menus.

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Knife Burger

Also based in Orlando, Knife Burger is a departure into casual dining, offering gourmet burgers in a relaxed setting. This brand targets a broader audience looking for high-quality fast casual fare.

Prices range from $15 to $30 per person, making it an affordable entry point into the John Tesar dining experience.

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John Tesar Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

John Tesar owns a focused portfolio of 5 restaurants, all within the US, showcasing a strategic balance of fine dining and casual concepts. His single Michelin-starred venue, Knife & Spoon, anchors the brand’s reputation for excellence.

With a strong presence in Texas and Florida and a recent expansion centered on Dallas, his empire emphasizes high-quality steakhouse cuisine with diversified offerings. Partnerships like the one with Ritz-Carlton further enhance the brand’s prestige and reach.

John Tesar’s approach mixes culinary sophistication with accessible dining options, creating a well-rounded restaurant group positioned for steady growth and local acclaim.

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01. How involved is John Tesar in day-to-day restaurant operations?

John Tesar remains actively involved in the strategic and culinary direction of his restaurants, particularly in his flagship venues like Knife & Spoon in Orlando. However, day-to-day operations are generally managed by local executive chefs and hospitality teams to ensure consistent quality across locations.

02. Are John Tesar’s restaurants expensive—and which ones offer the best value?

John Tesar’s dining options vary widely in pricing. Fine dining restaurants such as Knife & Spoon typically range from $100 to $200+ per person, reflecting their upscale menus and ambiance.

More casual venues like Knife Burger offer gourmet food at a more accessible price point of $15 to $30 per person, providing excellent value for high-quality fast casual dining.

03. How does John Tesar choose new cities or countries for expansion?

Expansion decisions are driven by market research and strategic partnerships, often focusing on major metropolitan areas with a strong food culture. The company has prioritized growth in Texas markets like Dallas due to rising demand for upscale dining and steakhouse concepts.

Collaborations with luxury groups like Ritz-Carlton also influence location selection, aligning venues with premium hospitality environments.

04. Are John Tesar restaurants sustainable or locally sourced?

John Tesar’s restaurants incorporate locally sourced ingredients when possible, especially for fresh produce and seafood. Flagship venues emphasize seasonal menus and quality sourcing but sustainability initiatives vary by location.

There is no formalized carbon-neutral program currently, although some restaurants focus on reducing waste and supporting regional suppliers.

05. Can you book John Tesar restaurants online—and are there loyalty programs?

Yes, reservations can be made online via the individual restaurant websites or third-party platforms such as OpenTable for most John Tesar locations.

Currently, there is no unified loyalty program across all John Tesar restaurants, but select venues may offer special promotions or partnerships through affiliated hotels like Ritz-Carlton.