USA Head Office
USA Team
Eleanor Barratt / Co-Founder
Eleanor has degrees in both Marketing & Communications and Business Management, along with 15 years of hospitality experience. Having started as a waitress while studying in Melbourne, she worked her way up to Restaurant Manager, Brand Manager and Co-Founder of her own hospitality businesses.
Eleanor’s greatest passion is food and travel, making it only natural that she found a liking to the restaurant industry. Having travelled extensively throughout the world, she has harnessed her experiences to create a diverse hospitality business that combines traditional concepts enhanced by the ever changing world of technology.
AUStralia Head Office
Australia Team
George Pezaros / Co-Founder
The first Degani Bakery Café was established in 1999 by George, located in Clifton Hill, Melbourne.
George has dominated the Victorian market and today, he has been involved in and built over 250 cafes and restaurants around Australia.
George is a passionate businessman and a great leader. With over 30 years experience with coffee and food, George continues to surprise the market with his innovativeness and enthusiasm for the industry.
Amy Cobden / Operations Assistant
Amy has a background in hospitality management, utilising her knowledge to bring a strategic and innovative approach to her role. A true foodie and coffee aficionado, Amy curates exceptional culinary experiences, drawing inspiration from global trends and her six years in the hospitality industry. With her keen eye for detail and a knack for blending creativity with practicality, Amy is poised to introduce fresh and exciting ideas to the market.
Lifeng Yu (Joe) / Executive Consultant
Joe, a seasoned hospitality expert with 25 years of experience, initially thrived in Melbourne’s café industry, renowned for his innovative menus and profitable pricing strategies. His success led him to invest in major players like Coffee Club and Degani Bakery Café, skilfully operating over ten stores that consistently ranked among the top 10%. Recently, Joe ventured into his coffee roasting and retail business, Velvet Bean, already establishing four retail outlets and planning four more by Q1 2024.
Joe has now teamed up with a familiar partner, HOH, with whom he has collaborated with closely in the past. Together, they aim to leverage their expertise and develop and introduce a range of exciting new hospitality brands, setting the stage for further success in the industry.