Stephen DeSousa is the CEO at Tavern in the Square, a Broadway Hospitality Group polished casual dining restaurant brand with 24 locations across New England and growing. Stephen’s journey in the hospitality industry began at 18 while attending Salem State College, working in a small family restaurant in Cambridge. What started as a part-time job quickly grew into a lifelong passion.
After graduating, he left a full-time position to pursue a bartending role at TGI Fridays, where he was recognized as a top performer and promoted to Corporate Trainer, opening locations and mentoring teams across the country. Returning to Boston, he held leadership roles across a variety of restaurants, from fine dining to high-volume venues.
In 2004, he joined the launch of Tavern in the Square in Cambridge. Starting as Bar Manager, he moved up to General Manager, then Director of Operations, and today proudly serves as CEO and Equity Partner.
What sets Tavern in the Square apart is its hands-on approach. Unlike a faceless corporate chain, Stephen and his team work side by side with staff and connect with guests daily. He believes in leading from the front, building strong teams, and creating spaces where people feel valued.
Whether opening unit No. 2 or 200, the real test of a brand is whether its identity holds as it grows. This session digs into how emerging and scaling concepts protect their core DNA while expanding into new markets, new formats, and new guest expectations. We’ll unpack the “portability” question (where does your concept truly fit?), and how to localize without losing yourself. From menu tweaks to design flexes to franchise vs. corporate growth paths, operators will share where they invest time, money, and energy to scale with intention.
