Levy Restaurants Launches Curiology, an Experience Design Agency Dedicated to Creating Next Generation Guest Experiences

CHICAGO, June 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Levy Restaurants has launched Curiology, an experience design agency and wholly-owned subsidiary, developing high-touch guest experiences with design thinking at the core. The company brings added design research, creative strategy and design resources to current Levy partners across sports, entertainment, restaurants, convention centers and retail sectors, as well as clients beyond the portfolio. The company was created to meet new and evolving demands in the sports, entertainment and hospitality worlds.

"Curiology represents an important milestone in our growth," said Andy Lansing, Levy Restaurants' President and CEO. "A creative and innovative mindset has always been a part of Levy's DNA, and it extends beyond just the food and beverage experience. The needs of our partners and our industry are changing rapidly with rising fan expectations, emerging technology experiences and competition with new types of entertainment."

Consumers have more personal entertainment options than ever before. Venues and events need agile thinking and adaptability to design experiences worth leaving home for. Curiology does just that, working hand-in-hand with E15 Group's technology and analytics experts and Levy's operating and culinary teams to create tangible experiences.

"Curiology uses design thinking as a tool to solve business challenges and deliver extraordinary experiences that are desired by our partners and our guests," said Alison Weber, Curiology's Chief Creative Officer. "Evolving from our roots as restaurateurs, Curiology provides a beyond-the-plate approach. From new ways for guests to socialize and personalize, to developing a welcoming culture and unique partnerships that bring together surrounding hospitality and style communities – we design a way for all of those to work together as a unified experience."

Chicago design veteran Brian Graziano joined Curiology as Vice President of Experience Design and Innovation and will lead the Curiology team with his 18 years of industry expertise garnered from top Chicago design consultancies. Graziano's career has included the building of design capabilities for companies like Nike, Gatorade, FedEx, and Johnson & Johnson. The team has end-to-end expertise and capabilities spanning user-research, graphic and conceptual design, architecture, strategy, storytelling and brand activation.

Working with the United Center, Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls, Curiology's most recent work elevated the food and beverage experience at the arena, overhauling the 20-year-old arena's concourses with iconic local restaurants through the Chicago's Plate program. Chicago's Plate caters to every detail impacting the fan experience, from space design to staff uniforms. Chicago's Plate at the United Center was recently recognized in the Chicago Tribune's Dining Awards as the city's "Best Unexpected Food Experience."

"More than a convenient food offer for fans of the game, we wanted the United Center to be a reflection of Chicago's nationally-recognized culinary and beverage community," said Terry Savarise, the United Center's Senior Vice President of Operations. "Our goal was to blur the lines between the arena and the surrounding area, making dinner and socializing at the United Center an authentic hospitality experience."

Under development is the Experience Blueprint Curiology and Levy are developing in partnership with AMB Sports + Entertainment for the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons and new Atlanta United MLS club. The effort includes all food and beverage hospitality experiences throughout the stadium.

"We designed Mercedes-Benz Stadium to put the fans first," said Mike Gomes, AMB Sports + Entertainment's Senior Vice President of Fan Experience. "Curiology has partnered with us to thoughtfully craft the food and beverage fan experience in a way that's intuitive and exciting, from the fan first pricing to local partnerships – whether you're cheering on one of our home teams or attending one of the major college football games, concerts, or other events that we'll host, this stadium brings a fully integrated experience for all fans across every level of the venue."

About Curiology
Curiology is headquartered in Chicago and also has offices in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. For more information visit us at www.curiologygroup.com and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

About Levy Restaurants
Founded in 1978, Levy has pioneered premium sports and entertainment dining and remains one of America's fastest growing and most critically acclaimed restaurant companies. Named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company magazine, Levy's diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants, iconic sports and entertainment venues, and convention centers as well as the Grammy Awards, PGA Championship, US Open Tennis Tournament, Kentucky Derby, and NHL, MLB and NBA All-Star Games. For more, visit www.levyrestaurants.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Media Contacts:
Kara Cook – Finn Partners for Levy Restaurants
[email protected] 
312-329-3993

Gloria Hurtado – Levy Restaurants
[email protected]
312-932-4940

SOURCE Levy Restaurants

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