Jon Swanson is a seasoned hospitality professional with expansive experience in managing and creating leading-edge restaurant concepts. As a strategic advisor to PHG, Jon provides the vision and strategy for the collection of award-winning restaurants that MRG owns and manages. Passionate about hospitality, Jon works to elevate each concept’s offerings to create distinct, fulfilling, and memorable guest experiences.
A graduate of the University of Denver, Jon began his career by managing and opening successful restaurants and multi-unit concepts in the Bay Area, Portland, Seattle, and Sacramento areas. In 1991, he co-founded the first Paragon Bar & Café in San Francisco’s Marina district and served as its opening General Manager. Paragon quickly expanded into multiple markets as other brands followed, forming the foundation that would become Moana Restaurant Group, a comprehensive management company specializing in developing and managing concepts from inception to all aspects of day-to-day restaurant operations.
Current role