The Founders

Two founders.
One shared vision.

Former investment banker and operator of hotel hospitality group who left to build the company they always wished existed.

Atit Patel

Atit Patel

Managing Member & Co-Founder

M&A minded banker with seven years of operational experience that provides comprehensive experience within the middle market. Business development focused with key relationships with decision makers from both sponsor and debt funds. He loves to coach and mentor young members of the team and enjoys implementing strategic plans for growth using entrepreneurial experience to create synergies within the organization. In his free time he enjoys playing golf and watching sports with family and friends.

Previously
AVP - Value Lending, Enterprise Bank & Trust
Bachelor's of Science · Finance, Indiana University
Jugal Patel

Jugal Patel

Member, CDO & Co-Founder

With a career rooted at the intersection of capital investment and hotel hospitality, Jugal specializes in acquiring, developing, and repositioning real estate assets that drive consistent returns and elevate the guest experience. Jugal leads concept design across 916 Hospitality's studio. Following each acquisition, he uses animation software to build the project virtually, walking the space in immersive detail before it moves to architects and contractors. Over the past 15 years, he has led and advised on projects ranging from mid-size hotels to large-scale mixed-use developments, with a sharp focus on strategic growth, financial discipline, and operational excellence. He understands both sides of the table. Investor expectations and guest satisfaction. Equally well.

Previously
Research & Development, KP Diversified Corp
Bachelor's of Science · Economics, Business (minor), Biology (minor), Chemistry (minor), University of Kansas
Real Estate

They don't just build
the business,
they own the real estate.

Atit and Jugal personally acquire, develop, and own the real estate behind every 916 HOSPITALITY venue. When a new concept takes shape, the founders are already buying the building it will live in, designing the space around the idea, not the other way around. Every dollar of that capital is Kansas City capital, self-funded by two Kansas City natives without a single outside investor.

This means no landlord dictating terms, no rent escalations threatening a concept's future, and no outside party with a say in how a space looks or operates. The result is a hospitality group with genuine permanence, built on ground the founders own outright.

“The two of us built 916 HOSPITALITY because we believed the studio model was the most honest way to build companies. No pitch decks. No portfolio theater. Just people who care, building things that matter.”Atit Patel, Managing Partner
“We never needed to convince anyone Kansas City was worth investing in. We just had to prove it to ourselves first, then build it with our own money.”Jugal Patel, Partner
Culture

How we work
together.

65+

People Across All Venues

Every team member at 916 HOSPITALITY takes pride in their craft. From the bar to the back office, each person is a stakeholder in the success of every venue.

6

Active Business Ventures

Kansas City is our home base, not a market we came to develop. 100% of the capital behind 916 HOSPITALITY is Kansas City capital, funded by two co-founders who grew up here and have never brought in outside investors.

2020

Founded in Kansas City

Built from day one with a people-first philosophy. Excellent guest service is our bread and butter. We truly believe that hospitality is a craft worth building.

Want to work with us?

We're always looking for exceptional people who want to build things that matter.

Get in Touch