R.J. Melman
Managing Partner of HUB 51, SUB 51, Paris Club, Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City, Three Dots and a Dash,
M Street Kitchen & Stella Rossa Pizza Bar
RJ Melman is managing partner of HUB 51, adjoining nightclub SUB 51, Paris Club, indoor/outdoor nightclub Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City and Three Dots and a Dash – all located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood –and M Street Kitchen and Stella Rossa in Santa Monica, Calif.
With an interest in restaurants dating back to his teenage years, RJ began bussing tables and running food at age 13 at the former Bub City in Chicago. By high school, he was cooking at various Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) restaurants where he further developed his understanding and passion for the restaurant business.
In 2001, RJ received his degree from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication Studies. Upon graduation, he immediately embarked the next phase of his career – restaurant management. In the past decade, RJ has helped open more than ten LEYE restaurants and has served as the general manager of LEYE’s iconic first restaurant, R.J. Grunts. He has also served as a consultant to a variety of restaurant projects outside of the company.
With his strong background and varied expertise in the restaurant business, RJ, along with his brother Jerrod, opened HUB 51 and lower-level club SUB 51 in June 2008, offering Chicago’s most coveted neighborhood a unique mixture of dining, nightlife and entertainment. In February 2011, with the goal of reintroducing French cuisine to a new generation of diners, the duo teamed up with internationally-acclaimed Chef Joho to create Paris Club – a casual French restaurant and bar – located two doors down from HUB 51. Four months later, the duo opened Studio Paris – an exclusive indoor/outdoor nightclub and lounge above the restaurant. In February 2012, RJ, Jerrod, and their sister Molly, partnered with celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic and acclaimed chef Doug Psaltis to open RPM Italian, presenting a menu that is Italian in spirit and modern in style.
In December 2012, RJ and his siblings, in partnership with chef Psaltis, acclaimed mixologist Paul McGee and Joe’s Bar founders Ed Warm and Tom DiSanto, opened country bar and restaurant, Bub City. In early 2013, RJ, Jerrod and Molly, alongside Paul McGee, will open tiki bar Three Dots and a Dash.
Residing in Chicago, RJ is active within the Chicago philanthropic and business community and serves on a number of boards and committees.
Jerrod Melman
Managing Partner of HUB 51, SUB 51, Paris Club, Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City, Three Dots and a Dash,
M Street Kitchen & Stella Rossa Pizza Bar
Jerrod Melman is managing partner of HUB 51, SUB 51, Paris Club, Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City and Three Dots and a Dash – the dining, nightlife and social establishments created by him and his siblings, RJ and Molly, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, as well as M Street Kitchen and Stella Rossa Pizza Bar in Santa Monica, California.
Jerrod’s earliest memories of working in restaurants began at the young age of 10 as a busboy at the original Maggiano’s. After Maggiano’s, Jerrod took a five-year hiatus from the restaurant business to pursue other interests, namely finishing grade school. During high school and college, he held various roles in a dozen or so Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) restaurants, as well as IN-N-OUT Burger in Arizona, learning the business from the ground up.
The summer before his senior year in college, he participated in the LEYE internship program which solidified his interest in pursuing a restaurant career. After graduating from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Jerrod managed LEYE restaurants Osteria Via Stato and R.J. Grunts and gained valuable experience in New York at B.R. Guests and Union Square Hospitality Group.
Jerrod brings this wealth of restaurant knowledge to each new venture he pursues. In June 2008, along with his brother RJ, he opened HUB 51 and lower-level club SUB 51, offering Chicago’s most coveted neighborhood a unique mixture of dining, nightlife and entertainment. The brothers teamed up with internationally-acclaimed Chef Joho to introduce Paris Club, a casual French restaurant and bar that opened in February 2011. Four months later, the duo opened exclusive indoor/outdoor lounge Studio Paris above the restaurant. In February 2012, Jerrod, RJ, and their sister Molly partnered with celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic and celebrated chef Doug Psaltis to open RPM Italian, presenting a menu that is Italian in spirit and modern in style.
In December 2012, the Melman siblings, in partnership with chef Psaltis, renowned mixologist Paul McGee and Joe’s Bar founders Ed Warm and Tom DiSanto, opened country bar and restaurant, Bub City. Jerrod and his team’s next project is tiki bar Three Dots and a Dash, slated to open in 2013.
A longtime Chicago resident, Jerrod is an avid supporter of several local philanthropic and community initiatives. He also enjoys playing basketball and softball, going to the movies, and a night out with good friends.
