Carl Schuster

Carl Schuster is a visionary hospitality executive with over 35 years of experience, having deployed over $100 million in capital across 70+ locations and generated more than $1 billion in revenue. As Founder and CEO of Cast Iron Partners, he collaborates with real estate developers and hotel owners to curate high-level, chef-driven concepts—currently serving as the owner’s representative for Ty Warner's Santa Barbara resort developments at The Coral Casino Cabana and Beach Club and the Four Seasons Biltmore alongside the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group.

In 1998, Schuster co-founded Wolfgang Puck Catering—a career-defining milestone alongside Wolfgang Puck, an exceptional leader, mentor, and partner. Together, Schuster and Puck built the business into a premier national brand, with Schuster orchestrating a landmark 2004 strategic partnership with Compass Group that scaled annual revenues from $24 million to $200 million prior to its full acquisition in 2022. Today, he advises the brand on business development. In media, he previously co-created and executive produced culinary reality series for NBC and HBO Max, and continues to develop new concepts in the space.

A dedicated civic leader, Schuster is the Immediate Past Chair of both Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA and the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, and serves on the boards of the LA Sports and Entertainment Commission and Camp Corazón for pediatric heart patients. Raised in Minnesota, his early background in hockey instilled the competitive drive that defines his career. Outside of business, he enjoys snow skiing and is the proud father of two young adult children, Alex and Jake.