Ryan Pernice
Founder, R.O. Hospitality
Ryan Pernice is a lifelong restaurateur with 25+ years' experience building and operating neighborhood-driven restaurants. He began working in kitchens at age 14 and quickly became drawn to the complexity of restaurant operations, specifically the interplay between people, systems, and guest experience.
After graduating with distinction from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Ryan worked in New York City across consulting and operating roles. At Avero, he coached food and beverage leaders on using data and financial insight to improve performance. He later joined the opening team of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group at Maialino, where he served as an Operations Specialist, building costing models, tip-sharing systems, training manuals, and floor plans. That experience shaped his belief that great hospitality is the result of clear systems executed with care.
In 2011, Ryan returned to Roswell to open Table & Main with the goal of creating a neighborhood clubhouse. Under the leadership of executive chef-partner Woolery "Woody" Back, the restaurant has twice earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and sustained long-term profitability. He later co-founded Osteria Mattone with his brother and business partner, Daniel, which has earned consistent national recognition for its wine program and hospitality.
Ryan leads R.O. Hospitality working alongside restaurant owners on forecasting, budgeting, kitchen and dining room design, team structure, and operational clarity. His approach is grounded in real-world operating experience - not theory - with a focus on building restaurants that are resilient, disciplined, and deeply connected to their communities.