Brian Bogert is the founder and CEO of Social Order Dining Collective, a company that includes The Jones Assembly, three Spark locations, and multiple locations of Fuzzy’s and Dave’s Hot Chicken. He’s been in and around hospitality most of his life, and he understands it from the perspective of dishwasher, line cook, manager, franchisee, multi-unit owner/operator, and CEO. His understanding of operations and logistics is expansive, and still he manages to be one of the most approachable people in Oklahoma hospitality.

In the episode we dive into his background, including his grandfather’s popular bar Hobnobbers atop the building at NW 59th and May that the original S&B calls home. He grew up in the bar, a circumstance that would be very unlikely in today’s ABLE-wary concepts.

“Hobnobbers is one of those memories that I’m sure had some subconscious effect on me in choosing hospitality,” Bogert told me once. “As these memories have resurfaced, I think the time spent with my grandfather there introduced me to the allure and romanticism of the industry.”

We also talk at length about what it takes to make The Jones Assembly run, a remarkably complex set of tasks, appointments, meetings, dinner services, concerts, caterings, private events, seasonal events like Apres Ski. We also get a sneak peek, so to speak, at his new bar-restaurant on Main St. downtown.