In the rapidly evolving landscape of "eatertainment"—a sector where culinary excellence meets immersive social activity—AMP Up1 Hospitality has positioned itself as a primary disruptor. In late October, the Atlanta-based experiential dining powerhouse announced a significant restructuring of its senior leadership team. This strategic move is designed to underpin a multi-year expansion plan that includes the launch of a massive new concept in downtown Atlanta and the first steps of a regional rollout into the American Midwest.
By promoting internal talent and recruiting high-caliber external expertise, AMP Up1 is signaling that its next phase of growth will be defined by operational rigors and a "chef-driven" philosophy. The group has named Chris Barrows as Chief Operating Officer, Erin Callahan as Senior Vice President of Operations and Managing Partner for the Midwest, and Joe Schafer as Culinary Director and Executive Chef. These appointments represent more than just corporate shuffling; they are the architectural blueprints for a company aiming to redefine the "third place" for a modern, connection-starved audience.
Main Facts: The Strategic Restructuring of AMP Up1
The leadership appointments arrive at a critical juncture for AMP Up1 Hospitality. The company, founded by Chief Vision Officer Josh Rossmeisl and Chief Solutions Officer Doug Warner, is currently managing two high-stakes projects that will dramatically increase its footprint and operational complexity.
1. The Executive Appointments
- Chris Barrows (COO): Previously the Chief People Officer, Barrows’ elevation to COO places him at the helm of the company’s daily operations and long-term scaling strategies. His role focuses on maintaining the brand’s culture and operational consistency as the portfolio expands.
- Erin Callahan (SVP of Operations, Midwest): A veteran operator with a 25-year history with Rossmeisl, Callahan is tasked with spearheading the company’s expansion into the Chicago market. She will oversee the development of the second "Your 3rd Spot" location.
- Joe Schafer (Culinary Director & Executive Chef): A heavyweight in the Atlanta culinary scene, Schafer brings fine-dining sensibilities to high-volume operations. His mission is to ensure that the food at AMP Up1 venues is a primary draw, rather than a secondary amenity to the games.
2. The Project Pipeline
The leadership team is currently focused on two flagship developments:
- The Looking Glass: Set to open in downtown Atlanta in Spring 2027, this "immersive social playground" is designed to accommodate over 1,000 guests. It represents a massive scale-up in both square footage and guest throughput.
- Your 3rd Spot (Schaumburg, IL): Scheduled for a 2028 opening, this marks the brand’s first venture outside of Georgia. Located at Veridian—a 225-acre mixed-use development on the former Motorola campus—this venue will serve as the litmus test for the brand’s national scalability.
Chronology: From a Single Warehouse to a Regional Powerhouse
The trajectory of AMP Up1 is a study in calculated growth and long-term relationship building. The roots of the company’s leadership can be traced back nearly two decades, long before the "Your 3rd Spot" concept was a reality.
- 2007 – The Foundational Meeting: Chris Barrows begins his hospitality career as a host at Kings Dining & Entertainment in Boston. It is here that he first works under Josh Rossmeisl. Simultaneously, Erin Callahan is rising through the ranks at the same organization, establishing a professional rapport with Rossmeisl that would span a quarter-century.
- Fall 2022 – The Birth of Your 3rd Spot: After years of conceptualization, Rossmeisl and Warner open the first Your 3rd Spot in Atlanta’s Westside at "The Works." The 26,000-square-foot warehouse conversion features 80+ games and an upscale small-plate menu. It quickly gains national attention, eventually earning a spot on FSR Magazine’s Top 50 Independent Restaurants list.
- 2023-2024 – Testing the Model: The Atlanta location serves as a laboratory for the "Managing Partner" program, an employee-ownership model that gives hourly workers a path to equity and leadership. During this period, the company refines its technology-driven guest experience and culinary systems.
- Late October 2024 – Leadership Surge: AMP Up1 officially announces the appointments of Barrows, Callahan, and Schafer, signaling the transition from a single-unit operator to a multi-concept hospitality group.
- 2027–2028 – The Expansion Horizon: The company is currently in the pre-construction and planning phases for The Looking Glass (2027) and the Schaumburg expansion (2028), with the new leadership team now fully integrated to oversee these milestones.
Supporting Data: The "Skin in the Game" Model and Operational Scale
What distinguishes AMP Up1 from typical venture-capital-backed hospitality groups is its internal socio-economic structure. The company’s growth is fueled by a unique "Managing Partner" program designed to combat the high turnover rates endemic to the hospitality industry.
The Employee Ownership Paradigm
According to company data, approximately 90 percent of AMP Up1’s managing partners began their careers in hourly roles. The program assigns "units" to participants based on their role, tenure, and contribution to the brand’s success. This model is not merely a recruitment tool; it is a retention strategy. By providing "skin in the game," the company ensures that the leaders opening new venues in 2027 and 2028 are deeply invested in the long-term health of the brand.
Culinary and Volume Capacity
The appointment of Joe Schafer is a data-driven response to the "Eatertainment 1.0" era, where food was often an afterthought. Schafer’s experience at State Farm Arena is particularly relevant. During his tenure, the arena was ranked No. 1 in the NBA for food and beverage satisfaction.
Managing culinary quality at a 1,000-person capacity (the projected size of The Looking Glass) requires a specific blend of fine-dining precision and industrial-scale logistics. Schafer’s background with James Beard-nominated chefs like Anne Quatrano provides the "fine-dining eye," while his time with the Atlanta Hawks provides the "high-volume mentality" necessary to execute thousands of covers a night without a dip in quality.
Official Responses: Voices from the Vanguard
The leadership team emphasizes that their roles are not just about oversight, but about the "engineering of escapism."
Josh Rossmeisl, Founder and Chief Vision Officer, highlights the necessity of early preparation:
"We’re thinking about the company we want to become, not just the one we’re operating today. Great real estate and access to capital are important, but ultimately, the success of our brands will be determined by the people we surround ourselves with. You can’t wait until you’re ready to open the next location to start building that leadership foundation."
Chris Barrows, Chief Operating Officer, reflects on the journey from hourly worker to C-suite:
"Starting as a host taught me that the opportunity in front of you matters more than the destination you can’t control yet. I took a pay cut to be around the right people. Stop fixating on where you’re going and do something with where you are. The next rep leads to the next opportunity."
Erin Callahan, SVP of Operations (Midwest), discusses the challenge of exporting a culture to a new market:
"Opening a venue isn’t really about opening a building. It’s about building a team and a culture that can deliver what you imagined long after the excitement of the opening is gone. With Schaumburg, we get to take everything we’ve learned in Atlanta—what worked, what didn’t and, most importantly, why—and build something better from day one."
Joe Schafer, Culinary Director, on the convergence of food and fun:
"I’ve been looking for a place to bring a combination of the things I learned over the years… a fine dining eye alongside quality at high volume. It is very apparent that there is growth preparedness here. My goal is to give the kitchen teams the tools they need to be successful without me, ensuring no beats are missed as we shift attention to The Looking Glass."
Implications: Redefining the "Third Place" and the Future of Chef-Driven Eatertainment
The expansion of AMP Up1 Hospitality has broader implications for the American retail and dining landscape. As traditional brick-and-mortar retail continues to struggle, developers are increasingly turning to "experiential anchors" to drive foot traffic.
1. The Evolution of the "Third Place"
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term "the third place" to describe social environments separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the office ("second place"). In a post-pandemic world, the traditional third places—coffee shops and bars—are being supplemented by high-tech, high-touch "playgrounds" like Your 3rd Spot. AMP Up1 is betting that the future of social connection lies in shared activity (gaming) paired with high-end hospitality.
2. The Death of "Concession Stand" Eatertainment
The hiring of a chef of Schafer’s caliber signals a permanent shift in guest expectations. The modern consumer is no longer satisfied with frozen appetizers and mediocre cocktails while they bowl or play arcade games. By prioritizing a chef-driven menu, AMP Up1 is attempting to capture a demographic that values culinary sophistication as much as entertainment. This forces competitors in the space to either elevate their food programs or risk obsolescence.
3. Economic Impact and Regional Development
The move into Schaumburg’s Veridian development is a significant economic indicator. By taking over a massive piece of a 225-acre mixed-use site, AMP Up1 is participating in a new wave of suburban revitalization. These "destination venues" are becoming the centerpieces of new mini-cities, creating hundreds of jobs and serving as a magnet for further residential and commercial investment.
4. The Internal Talent Pipeline as a Competitive Advantage
In an industry plagued by labor shortages, AMP Up1’s focus on internal promotion (as seen in Barrows’ and Callahan’s trajectories) provides a blueprint for sustainable growth. By proving that a host can become a COO, the company creates a powerful narrative that attracts ambitious talent. This internal pipeline may prove to be a more significant competitive advantage than their proprietary gaming technology or prime real estate holdings.
As AMP Up1 Hospitality moves toward 2027 and 2028, the industry will be watching closely. If they can successfully replicate the "vibe-forward" success of their Atlanta flagship in the Midwest while scaling up for the massive Looking Glass project, they will have successfully codified a new standard for the hospitality industry—one where the people, the plate, and the play are equally paramount.
