Stout NYC Hospitality Group has appointed Annie Borgerding as Chief Marketing Officer, a newly created role that signals the hospitality operator's shift toward more sophisticated brand management as it scales. The move comes after a busy period for the 19-unit operator, which opened four new locations and relocated its flagship Penn Station venue over the past year. Borgerding will oversee marketing strategy, brand development, and guest engagement across the group's portfolio of restaurants and bars spanning Manhattan, Queens, and New Jersey. "Annie brings a unique combination of hospitality, beverage and consumer marketing expertise that will be instrumental as we continue building and evolving our hospitality group," said Percy Rodriguez, Chief Operations Officer at Stout NYC Hospitality Group. "Her deep understanding of consumer behavior and brand storytelling will help us continue to evolve the Stout brand, building on our position as a sports bar destination while creating new experiences and reasons for guests to visit our collection of restaurants and concepts."
Background and Recent Expansion Borgerding brings 13 years of marketing leadership experience in premium spirits and luxury hospitality. Most recently, she served as Director of Marketing at Back Bar Project, where she defined consumer strategy and led multi-channel campaigns including experiential activations and influencer partnerships. Prior to that, she led strategic market and trade planning for Absolut ELYX in New York, overseeing on-premise partnerships and brand representation. The group's recent expansion includes The Splendid NYC, an elevated sporting club in Midtown Manhattan led by Chef Joey Fortunato; Campofiore in Montclair, New Jersey, an Amalfi Coast-inspired farm-to-table concept by Chef Dan Drohan; The Splendid Rooftop, also in Montclair atop The MC Hotel; and Allegory, a high-end food and beverage venue in the same hotel. The relocated Stout NYC Penn Station moved to a 16,000-square-foot space at 215 West 35th Street, up from its previous 33rd Street location. "Joining Stout NYC Hospitality Group at such a pivotal moment in the company's growth is a tremendous opportunity," Borgerding said. "The group has built an incredible foundation as a trusted destination for guests to gather, connect and celebrate. I look forward to partnering with the team to build on that legacy by continuing to expand the brand's story and create meaningful experiences that bring guests back time and again." Stout NYC Hospitality Group traces its roots to 1974, when Irish immigrants Teddy and Maggie Whelan opened Maggie's Place in Midtown. The Whelan family's hospitality legacy expanded under subsequent generations, eventually building what is now a 19-unit operator focused on creating authentic gathering spaces anchored by the flagship Stout NYC brand.
Why It Matters
For operators managing multi-unit portfolios with distinct brand identities, the addition of a dedicated CMO signals an investment in coordinated brand strategy and market positioning—particularly relevant as independent and family-owned groups compete with larger chains on brand storytelling and guest experience differentiation.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
