Francesco Balli

CO-FOUNDER & CEO

Francesco co-founded Grove Bay Hospitality Group in 2010, with the goal of becoming an industry leader in innovative and profitable restaurant concepts. As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Francesco has led the group to successfully launch eight (8) street-side celebrity chef driven restaurants across Miami and successfully been awarded contracts for over 24 restaurants in four international airports across the country. Balli was also instrumental in securing an 80-year lease with the City of Miami for three restaurants, a 300-boat marina, and 60,000 sq. ft. of retail space on a 7-acre waterfront property in Coconut Grove, previously known as the Charthouse and Scotty's Landing property; where the group's Bayshore Club restaurant and private event space, The Hangar are located. Francesco was recognized by Ernst & Young, as a finalist in the Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 Florida Awards program, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellent and extraordinary success in areas such as financial performance, innovation and commitment to their businesses and communities.  In 2020, Francescowas recognized as one of the most influential restaurant CEO's in the country by Nation's Restaurant News. A true reflection of a career both diverse and successful at every milestone. In 2024, Francesco was honored by the South Florida Business Journal with the Ultimate CEO Award and Power Leaders in Hospitality