John Anagnopoulos has a long and varied career, with much of it focused on the hospitality industry. He literally grew up in the restaurant business.

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His father Mike Anagnopoulos opened the iconic Matador Restaurant in downtown Phoenix in 1976.

The Matador helped pioneer the remarkable growth of the downtown area and was in business for almost 36 years.

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Anagnopoulos began working summers at The Matador as a busboy at the ripe old age of 15, becoming a partner shortly after graduating from the University of Arizona in 1993.

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As a co-owner he would run the restaurant as General Manager for over nineteen years until The Matador closed in 2012.

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Shortly after the closure of his beloved Matador, Anagnopoulos accepted a job with RED Development helping operate a restaurant they’d just added to their portfolio – Chloe’s Corner. As Assistant GM and Catering Manager, Anagnopoulos helped Chloe’s become one of downtown’s most popular lunch destinations and the go to spot for catering for many of the law firms and corporations located in the area.

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In late 2015, Anagnopoulos was hired as Food and Beverage Director for Days Hotel in Old Town Scottsdale (now called Hotel Adeline), where he oversaw Papi Chulo’s Mexican Grill, Stand Up Scottsdale Comedy Club and all banquets and events for the hotel.

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After the sale of the Days Hotel Old Town, he was named General Manager at Bootleggers Smokehouse, where he would eventually be promoted to Director of Operations for both of Bootleggers’ locations.

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In 2018, Anagnopoulos brought his expertise to the food festival business, taking the position of Head of Logistics for The Taco Group, which operated a national taco festival tour – including the Arizona Taco Festival.

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He never completely exited the hospitality industry, however.

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Next he found himself at MercBar, serving as Director of Operations where he remains today.