STEVEN JENSEN | CHARLOTTE FROM CONCEPT TO LAUNCH: HOW TO BUILD HOSPITALITY PROJECTS IN CHARLOTTE

Just to clear things up: I’m not that Steven Jensen from the FBI. If you Google the name, you’ll probably find him first—suit, badge, serious business. That’s not me. I’m the Steven Jensen whose LinkedIn is right here—sharing my experiences in the Charlotte hospitality world. 🙂

Launching a restaurant or lounge in this city is as much about vision as it is about execution - BAR ONE Lounge & 800 Degrees was no easy task. Guests only see the finished product—cocktails served, music playing, doors open. But behind the scenes, the process is a grind of creativity, planning, and a thousand details that need to line up before the first guest walks in.

NAIL THE VISION

Every successful venue starts with “why.” What does this place bring to Charlotte? When I launched BAR ONE Lounge, the aim was to fuse live programming, elevated hospitality and a unique-not seen before-vibe to Charlotte. With 800 Degrees in South Park, the trick was localizing a national brand so it resonated within Charlotte’s neighborhoods. Without a clear vision, you’ll just be another place to eat or drink.

BUILD IT RIGHT

An amazing architect (visionary, would be a huge asset), vendors, construction, branding—oh my. This phase tests patience and attention. Every decision (lighting, flooring, menu layout & even napkins) should echo your concept. If your brand identity is weak, things fall apart fast.

TRAIN LIKE YOU MEAN IT

A concept is nothing without people who bring it to life. You want staff who “get” your vision and feel like partners, not cogs. In Charlotte, where competition for talent is tight, your team can make you or break you.

OPENING NIGHT - THE SHOW

Launch day is the first real test. It’s where planning meets pressure. But it’s not just about impressing guests. Consistency launches that night—hundreds of nights in—if you survive, you’ll see your concept stick.

THIS MATTERs IN CHARLOTTE!

Charlotte is changing fast—new neighborhoods, shifting tastes, bold competition. The venues that last won’t be the flashiest—they’ll be the ones built with substance from day one. Taking something from an idea on paper to a place people actually gravitate toward? That’s the thrill that makes it all worth the pain & agony.

— Steven Jensen, Charlotte NC