Quick Facts: Nobu Hospitality
| Co-Founders | Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, Meir Teper |
| CEO | Trevor Horwell |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, USA |
| Founded | First Nobu restaurant: 1994 (New York City) |
| Portfolio | 50+ restaurants and hotels worldwide |
| Known For | Luxury Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine; celebrity dining |
| Publicly Traded | No |
Who Owns Nobu?
Nobu Hospitality is a privately owned luxury restaurant and hotel company co-founded by three partners: world-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Hollywood actor and producer Robert De Niro, and entertainment industry producer Meir Teper. The partnership that became Nobu Hospitality began with the opening of the first Nobu restaurant in New York City in 1994. Today, the company operates more than 50 restaurants and luxury hotels across five continents, with Trevor Horwell serving as CEO of Nobu Hospitality. The company is entirely privately held with no public shareholders.
About the Co-Founders
Nobu Matsuhisa is a Japanese master chef who pioneered the globally celebrated Nobu cuisine — a fusion of Japanese culinary traditions with Peruvian ingredients, reflecting his years living and cooking in Lima, Peru. Robert De Niro, one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors, became a partner and invested in the expansion of the brand from its earliest days. De Niro was instrumental in convincing Matsuhisa to pursue the New York flagship. Meir Teper, a film producer and business partner, rounds out the founding trio, helping to manage the commercial and operational expansion of the Nobu brand globally. Together they built Nobu into one of the world’s most recognized luxury hospitality brands.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper co-founded the Nobu brand with the opening of the first Nobu restaurant in New York City in 1994.
- Nobu Hospitality now operates 50+ restaurants and luxury hotels globally, including locations in London, Miami, Tokyo, Malibu, and Doha.
- Trevor Horwell serves as CEO of Nobu Hospitality, overseeing the global expansion of both the restaurant and hotel verticals.
- The Nobu hotel brand has become one of the most sought-after luxury hospitality experiences in the world, combining the restaurant aesthetic with high-design hotel environments.
- The company is entirely private — no shares are publicly traded and no external institutional investors have been publicly disclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Nobu restaurant?
Nobu Hospitality is co-owned by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro, and producer Meir Teper. The company is privately held with Trevor Horwell serving as CEO.
Is Nobu publicly traded?
No. Nobu Hospitality is a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange.
How did Robert De Niro get involved with Nobu?
Robert De Niro became a partner and investor after eating at Nobu Matsuhisa’s Los Angeles restaurant and being impressed by the chef’s cuisine. De Niro was a driving force behind opening the flagship New York Nobu in 1994, helping turn a celebrated local restaurant concept into a global brand.
How many Nobu locations are there?
Nobu Hospitality operates more than 50 restaurants and hotels worldwide across locations in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
