Two Decades of Hospitality Expansion Good Time Design is marking its 20th anniversary as a significant operator in San Diego's hospitality landscape, having transformed entertainment districts including Downtown and the East Village since its 2006 founding by CEO Ty Hauter. The company now operates 13 venues across San Diego, Nashville, and Las Vegas—a geographic diversification that reflects Hauter's strategic approach to market expansion.

Portfolio and Market Presence The San Diego portfolio includes Moonshine Flats, Moonshine Beach, Happy Does, Blind Burro, Lucky's Lunch Counter, and other establishments. Hauter expanded into Nashville in 2019, opening Front Street Tavern and later partnering with country band Old Dominion on Odie's, a live music venue that emerged from the band's performances at San Diego locations. Recent additions include Sidecar Bar (Nashville, 2024), a second Happy Does location in Nashville's Midtown (2025), and Heartbreaker's Hideaway (Nashville, 2026). Moonshine Flats is scheduled to open at Durango Casino & Resort in Las Vegas in 2027.

Origin and Philosophy Hauter, born and raised in the Midwest, began his career managing bars and restaurants in Chicago before relocating to San Diego. The company's early strategy centered on live entertainment and country music bookings. Moonshine Flats, which opened in 2014, features 18,000 square feet across two levels, an 18-foot LED screen, and has hosted performers including Morgan Wallen, Jon Pardi, Cody Johnson, and Luke Combs. Moonshine Beach followed in 2016 in Pacific Beach.

Operational Longevity Hauter attributes the company's two-decade tenure to his management team's stability and focus on guest experience. "A team that has stayed together long-term and been unwavering during two decades of change," he noted in a statement.

Why It Matters

Good Time Design's multi-market footprint and emphasis on live entertainment demonstrate a viable model for regional hospitality operators seeking to scale beyond a single market while maintaining venue identity. The company's expansion into Las Vegas suggests confidence in the honky-tonk and live-music concept's broader market appeal.

For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.

Written by FBM Publications Editors