VANDELAY COMPANIES MARKS EIGHT YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL AMID NATIONAL EXPANSION

With more than 2,000 team members and a growing portfolio of restaurant concepts, the hospitality group celebrates a longstanding charitable commitment as it expands into new U.S. markets.

DALLAS, Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vandelay Companies, one of the fastest growing hospitality and restaurant groups, is celebrating eight years of partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, marking a significant milestone in its longstanding commitment to supporting children and families facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Founded by entrepreneur Hunter Pond, Vandelay Companies has grown into a hospitality organization with more than 2,000 team members and a portfolio of approximately 32 properties, including nationally expanding restaurant concepts Hudson House, Drake's Hollywood, D.L. Mack's, and Jack & Harry's. As the company continues to enter new markets across the country, its eight-year relationship with St. Jude reflects a commitment to philanthropy that has remained a priority throughout its growth.

"Supporting St. Jude has been a privilege and one of the most meaningful commitments we've made as a company," says Hunter Pond, Founder and CEO of Vandelay Companies. "As we've grown from our Dallas roots into new markets, we've never lost sight of the importance of giving back. Our eight-year relationship with St. Jude is something we're incredibly proud of, and one we look forward to continuing for many years to come."

Throughout this period of growth, Vandelay has maintained its support of St. Jude, whose mission is to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, allowing them to focus on helping their child live.

As part of its ongoing commitment, Vandelay Companies is also serving as the Cocktail Hour Sponsor of the 25th Annual St. Jude Evening Under the Stars gala, held on November 7, 2026, in Dallas. Company representatives will join business leaders, philanthropists, and supporters to raise funds and awareness for the hospital's lifesaving mission.

"Eight years is a milestone we're incredibly proud of, but we see it as just the beginning," says Kyle Brooks, Founding Partner of Vandelay Companies. "As our company continues to grow and expand across the country, our commitment to St. Jude and to giving back to the community where it all began remains as strong as ever."

For Vandelay Companies, the anniversary represents more than a charitable milestone. It underscores the belief that business growth and meaningful community investment should go hand in hand, and that a company's success creates greater opportunities to make a lasting difference.

About Vandelay Companies (@vandelaycompanies)

Vandelay Companies is a Dallas-based hospitality and investment organization founded by entrepreneur Hunter Pond. A growing portfolio of restaurant properties, the company develops and operates distinctive dining concepts including Hudson House, Drake's Hollywood, D.L. Mack's, Jack & Harry's, and others. Known for its design-driven restaurants, elevated hospitality, and long-term approach to brand development and real estate, Vandelay continues to expand into key markets across the United States while maintaining a commitment to the communities it serves. For more information, visit vandelaycompanies.com.

About St Jude's (@stjude)

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children.
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org.

For images of Hunter Pond and Kyle Brooks at the event, please click here.

Contact: Kori Slanina
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 214-908-0282

SOURCE Vandelay Companies