Venu Holdings names Vic Sutter COO to bolster operational scaling

Venu Holding Corporation elevated Vic Sutter to chief operating officer as part of an internal reshuffle intended to tighten operational alignment across its growing mix of venues, restaurants and entertainment experiences. The change, announced Jan. 15, separates the chief operating responsibilities from the president role and signals a push to professionalize operations as the company expands nationally.

Sutter was promoted from executive vice president of operations and will lead day-to-day operational strategy across Venu’s portfolio. The company framed the move as a response to rapid growth and upcoming venue expansions. In connection with the change, Will Hodgson will step back from combined president and chief operating duties to concentrate solely on the president role, providing expanded enterprise-level oversight.

Sutter brings roughly two decades of luxury hospitality experience, including about a decade at Live Nation where he oversaw well-known brands such as House of Blues and Brooklyn Bowl. Hodgson’s background includes investment banking and an extended track record in entertainment-industry leadership. Together, the pair’s experience stacks operational know-how against capital and strategic oversight as Venu scales multiunit operations that blend restaurant and live-entertainment models.

For employees on the ground, the shift has practical implications. A dedicated chief operating officer typically accelerates standardization of front-of-house and back-of-house procedures, clarifies reporting lines for general managers and regional directors, and centralizes tools for scheduling, training and inventory management. That can deliver clearer career ladders and more consistent operating standards across sites, which benefits managers and hourly staff who move between venues.

At the same time, tighter central oversight can reduce local autonomy for general managers who have historically tailored menus, staffing and vendor relationships to neighborhood demand. Operational streamlining often brings new playbooks and technology rollouts that require training and adjustments from servers, cooks, door staff and production crews. The company’s stated goal of operational strengthening suggests those changes will be a priority in the months ahead.

For workers, the appointment means to expect initiatives around consistency, scalability and efficiency as Venu opens additional locations and adds new entertainment offerings. For managers, it signals a renewed emphasis on execution and alignment with enterprise standards. Watch for forthcoming announcements on staffing, training programs, and site openings that will reveal how the new leadership structure translates into day-to-day operations and career opportunities across Venu’s venues.