Copyright 2025 © GOAT Hospitality Group
At Goat Hospitality Group, our leadership is the driving force behind our success. Our founders, along with our executive team, combine their unique perspectives and diverse backgrounds to provide strategic direction and operational expertise. Together, they share a commitment to excellence, innovation, and a steadfast belief in creating memorable experiences for our patrons.
FOUNDER AND CEO, GOAT HOSPITALITY
Derek Gonzalez, the visionary behind Goat Hospitality Group, is renowned for his innovative concepts and flawless execution. With a background in finance and marketing, he made a bold move in 2017 by opening Pilo’s Street Tacos in memory of his Aunt Pilo, who inspired the brand’s essence. Despite the loss of Aunt Pilo to Down Syndrome complications, her legacy thrives in every brand concept. The core mission of Goat Hospitality Group is clear: to become the leading employer of individuals with unique talents.
Since 2017, Derek has introduced three more concepts, aiming to reach a total of 10 operational ones by year-end. An exceptional operator, Mr. Gonzalez combines creativity with market acumen. Yet, his greatest strength lies in identifying and nurturing talent in others. With a dedicated team of diverse experiences, Goat Hospitality Group thrives under his leadership, overseeing all facets with finesse.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Lisa Gonzalez, Esq., serves as the In-House Counsel for Goat Hospitality Group, playing a vital role in its daily operations. Her expert guidance and strategic advice have been instrumental in driving the success of the brand and its various ventures. During her tenure at GOAT, she has skillfully negotiated major deals, crafted meticulous contracts, and provided invaluable legal support to the team.
Graduating with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 2013, Lisa Gonzalez was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014, embarking on a journey through real estate law, contracts, corporate law, and civil law. Beyond her legal expertise, Lisa is an accomplished trial attorney with a track record of successfully representing numerous clients across Florida.
Derek Gonzalez is the mastermind behind Goat Hospitality Group. He is known for his creative concepts and unmatched execution. Mr. Gonzalez has a background in both finance and marketing. During the height of a a successful career in finance, Derek took a leap in 2017 when he opened Pilo’s Street Tacos in honor of his Aunt Pilo. Aunt Pilo passed from complications from Down Syndrome, but her influence lives on in every concept under the brand. The mission of Goat Hospitality Group is simple: to be the largest employer of individuals with ‘special abilities. ‘
Since 2017, Derek has launched an additional 3 concepts and is slated to have a total of 10 operational concepts by year end. Mr. Gonzalez is a phenomenal operator with creative imagination and the know how to understand the demands of the market. While Derek’s ideas and work ethic are of the highest caliber, they are only outshined by his ability to recognize talents and abilities in others. He has successfully cultivated a team with varied experience that assists him in overseeing all aspects of Goat and its concepts.
James has a combined 20 years of legal, executive, M&A, employment, and franchise experience in a variety of industries with a deep focus in the structuring and scaling of multiple offerings in the F&B/Restaurant sectors. James also partners with ownership and executives to assist in strategic operational planning and execution; executive development; structure to scale; and, FP&A. He has significant experience in the buying and selling of various size businesses.
Currently, James is a partner in various hospitality ownership groups launching or growing various concepts serving as owners/investors, operators, and/or franchisors. He is a proud co-owner of Sucré, a New Orleans-based patisserie franchise, where he is also the CEO of the growing brand. Additionally, James is a co-founder of Table 23, an F&B consulting firm specializing in assisting emerging and legacy brands scale and improve profitability.
Prior to the above, James was the CEO, President, COO and a member of the Board of the parent company of Fat Tuesday – one of the world’s first and largest retailers of frozen specialty alcoholic beverages. During his tenure, his team created a dual brand franchising system; nearly doubled EBDITA despite a global pandemic; and, delivered over 80% new store/pipeline growth from original store count. James successfully led the sale of the company for the founding family to a strategic buyer.
Prior to Fat Tuesday, he was the Vice President of Global Franchise for Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (RTI). He led global operations for the RTI franchise system with over 60 stores on five continents and over $100MM in topline sales. At RTI, James also served as the General Counsel of the then- publicly traded company. He led a team that handled all legal, risk and employee relations matters for Ruby Tuesday and its 25,000 team members. In that role, James led the strategic alternatives process for the eventual $150MM public-to-private sale of RTI.