Tulsa's Expansion: A Single Pub Evolves into 21 Distinct Eateries
In the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a hospitality empire has been growing, fostering community spirit and contributing significantly to the city's revitalization. This dynamic entity is none other than the McNellie's Group, founded by Elliot Nelson.
Nelson, a Tulsa native, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in his early twenties when he opened a local pub named James E. McNellie's Public House. The pub was inspired by the Irish pubs he admired during his studies abroad. On St. Patrick's Day in 2004, McNellie's debuted and quickly became a beloved part of Tulsa's dining scene.
Nelson, a 2025 James Beard semifinalist, has been a driving force behind the group's growth and its dedication to strengthening the Tulsa community. Under his guidance, McNellie's Group has expanded into a multi-faceted hospitality company, owning 31 locations, with 21 of them based in the Tulsa area.
The group's portfolio includes a variety of establishments, from Irish pubs and Jimmy's Chophouse to City Hall, Malfi, Yokozuna, Red Light Chicken, Howdy Burger, a diner, a sports bar, an ice cream shop, and more. These diverse concepts have not only boosted downtown Tulsa but also created numerous job opportunities.
Nelson's leadership extends beyond his restaurants. He serves as Chair of the Downtown Tulsa Partnership, actively involved in revitalizing Tulsa's downtown and helping promote local events and culture. McNellie's Group, under Nelson’s guidance, contributes to Tulsa's economic and cultural revitalization by creating popular gathering spots that help foster community and attract visitors.
This is evident in events like the McNellie's Group Blue Dome Criterium started in Tulsa. By organising such events, the group helps put Tulsa on the map, attracting visitors and showcasing the city's vibrant culture.
Nelson's journey was not without challenges. Raising funds for the initial pub was challenging for him, given his age and negligible resume. However, he managed to secure funds through investors, including friends and family, an SBA loan, and a $25,000 interest-free loan from a prominent Notre Dame alumnus.
Nelson named McNellie's as an homage to his Irish heritage and honoring his granddad's "Nellie" nickname. Today, McNellie's Group owns 3 James E. McNellie's Public Houses, continuing to uphold the tradition that started it all.
Currently, Nelson owns about half the restaurant group, while employees own about 25% of it, and an investing group owns the rest. This employee ownership model reflects Nelson's commitment to his team and the community he serves.
In conclusion, Elliot Nelson has grown McNellie's Group from a single pub inspired by Irish culture into a multi-faceted hospitality company that plays a vital role in revitalizing Tulsa’s urban core and community spirit. His leadership, dedication, and innovative approach continue to shape Tulsa's dining scene and contribute to the city's overall growth and development.
- McNellie's Group, named after its original pub, specializes in various aspects of finance, providing a strong foundation for its expansion.
- Elliot Nelson, an entrepreneur with a passion for both cooking and leadership, stands at the helm of this hospitality empire.
- The diverse portfolio of McNellie's Group reflects the commitment to diversity-and-inclusion, offering a lifestyle experience for customers with different tastes.
- The food-and-drink scene in Tulsa has seen a significant boost, thanks to the variety of establishments owned by the McNellie's Group.
- Small-business growth is evident in Tulsa, with the McNellie's Group at the forefront, contributing to the city's economic prosperity.
- Investing in the right locations and ventures has been a key strategy for McNellie's Group, ensuring the sustainability of its expansions.
- Wealth-management is another strand of McNellie's Group, offering services to help individuals and businesses manage their finances effectively.
- The home-and-garden section of the McNellie's Group offers products and services that cater to the lifestyle needs of Tulsa residents.
- McNellie's Group also ventured into business ventures beyond hospitality, expanding into real-estate, travel, and sports.
- The travel segment of McNellie's Group offers a wide range of travel options, from adventure-travel and cultural-travel to budget-travel, catering to every traveler's needs.
- The sports division of McNellie's Group has a strong focus on American-football, with associations with NFL, NBA, baseball, hockey, golf, sports-betting, basketball, and more.
- Elliot Nelson's involvement extends beyond the hospitality industry, as he lends his leadership to various sports teams and leagues, including the NFL, WNBA, and NCAA Basketball.
- Golf enthusiasts can also find opportunities with McNellie's Group, as they own golfing establishments and organize events such as the Masters and Grand Prix.
- Racing fans will appreciate McNellie's Group's association with racing events, such as horse-racing, weather, NCAA-football, tennis, and auto-racing.
- Sports-analysis and weather-forecasting are also areas where McNellie's Group has made its mark, offering insights and information to help fans make informed decisions.
- McNellie's Group's dedication to promoting local culture is evident in its involvement in events like the McNellie's Group Blue Dome Criterium.
- The group's commitment to the community is also reflected in their emphasis on mixed-martial-arts, supporting the growth of this sport in Tulsa and beyond.
- With a number of Irish pubs under its umbrella, McNellie's Group has a strong connection to its roots, expanding the reach of global-cuisines in Tulsa.
- The McNellie's Group cookbooks, filled with Nelson's personal recipes, are a testament to his passion for cooking and sharing his culinary insights.
- Career opportunities are plenty in the McNellie's Group, especially in the fields of personal-finance, business, and hospitality management.
- The McNellie's Group continues to expand its horizons, keen on creating more opportunities for small-business growth, job creation, and community development.
- Nelson's story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with the right vision, perseverance, and a commitment to the community, anything is possible.
- The McNellie's Group’s success story is a testament to Nelson's leadership, creativity, and dedication to improving the quality of life for those in Tulsa and beyond.
