Dallas restaurateur wanted in Colorado for harassment and disorderly conduct

SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, Colorado. A warrant has been issued in Colorado for a Dallas restaurateur accused of harassment and disorderly conduct.

The warrant was issued in the name of William Hunter Pond, 36-year-old founder and CEO of the Vandelay Hospitality Group. The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office said Pond is wanted for harassment – hitting/pushing/kicking, as well as disorderly conduct – offensive gestures.

Vandelay Hospitality Group has several restaurants open around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with more planned to open in Houston and Beverly Hills, California. The group’s brands include Hudson House, Drake’s Hollywood, DL Mack’s and Brentwood.

Restaurant group Pond has come under scrutiny in recent years, with lawsuits filed against it for allegedly rejecting black guests and discriminating against employees.

According to the Dallas Morning News, two former Vandelay Hospitality Group employees have filed two lawsuits against the group, accusing them of laying off black, Hispanic, or “ugly” employees.

Other Drake’s Hollywood employees told the Dallas Morning News at the time that employees were encouraged to turn down customers who didn’t exude wealth, with some saying the restaurant used a dress code to keep “riff-raff” out.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Pond denied any of the allegations were true at the time, calling them “ludicrous”.

In 2015, Pond made the Forbes “30 Under 30” restaurant owners list.

Joshua Bony, chief executive and partner at one of the group’s restaurants, Lucky’s Hot Chicken, left the restaurant in November 2020, citing a toxic corporate culture, news reports have revealed.

Police are asking anyone with information leading to Pond’s arrest to call the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office at 970-728-1911.