Ever wonder what it really takes to grow your hospitality business with private equity—without losing the mission, magic, or sense of community?

In this episode of Science of Service, host Rachel Stainton Markus sits down with Amir Mostafavi, founder and CEO of South Block—a fast-growing fast-casual brand with purpose at its core. Amir shares how he scaled from a single juice bar to a multi-location operation backed by private equity.

From building a team and tightening KPIs, to learning the investor “love language” and staying true to what made South Block special in the first place, Amir offers a refreshingly honest look at what smart, values-driven growth really looks like in the hospitality world.

If you’re dreaming big, wondering what’s next, or looking to build something lasting, Amir’s story is full of love, growth lessons, and authentic acai.

South Block | Culture

Amir Mostafavi | LinkedIn

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00:00 Introduction
02:00 Amir's Early Lessons: From Family Business to Entrepreneurship
05:05 The Birth of South Block: Community and Connection
09:35 Block by Block: From One Location to Many
12:35 The Decision to Scale: Finding the Right Financial Partner
18:55 The Investor Dating Game
22:40 Scaling Up with Private Equity
26:00 Adapting to Growth
29:55 Staying Connected to the Mission