At least that was the case for HJL Group Restaurant Advisors’ Cobi Jones, who recently retired from the famed L.A. Galaxy and began a tasty new career. Jones uses his experience on the field to help provide management tactics to up-and-coming restaurants as the Team Leadership Advisor.

Cobi’s skill sets are unique and he brings his passion for teamwork and dedication into the kitchens of restaurants that his company (with co-owners, business guru Jeremiah Higgins and celebrity chef, Scott Leibfried), HJL Restaurant Group help to open.

Along with his leadership abilities, Cobi also showcases his love for a different recreational activity – wine drinking! The past Olympian has a passion for wine, and also serves as HJL’s official Wine Officer. Cobi approaches his wine selections and tastings as a true “everyman” and is never pretentious about his choices. “Cobi’s Wine Club” is offered at Arch Rock Fish, a neighborhood restaurant in Santa Barbara, Calif., owned by HJL.

HJL Group Restaurant Advisors has opened dozens of restaurants since their launch in 2007. Their newest collaborative venture was Fleetwood’s on Front St., in Maui, Hawaii, owned by legendary rockers Mick Fleetwood and Steven Tyler, which opened in August 2012.

Cobi’s experiences and culinary journey are a unique one – to both the sports and the food industry. For more information on Cobi, his leadership tips for new restaurants or to get his pick for his newest favorite Merlot, please reach out. A short bio and additional info on HJL is listed below.

Cobi Jones is a partner and team leadership advisor with HJL Restaurant Group as well as a partner in the very successful restaurant Magnolia, with locations in Hollywood and Downtown at LA Live. Jones is a recently retired record breaking LA Galaxy midfielder. Also an a Hall of Famer and an Olympian, Jones participated in the Summer Games in Barcelona in 1992 and he is also a U.S. National Team player, participating in three World Cups: 1994, 1998, and 2002. In 1998, he was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year as well as Honda’s Player of the Year. After working and playing in professional sports for 18 years, Cobi has acquired invaluable business experience and team leadership training that he brings to every project.

About HJL Restaurant Advisors

HJL is committed to assisting restaurateurs in creating a successful restaurant business. They help their clients conceptualize their concept, create a plan, and assist in brand development, from the very first dream of an idea to opening day. They can also assist clients in evolving their current restaurant into a more profitable brand by improving their daily operations.

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