Jon Murray

Founder

With Southern roots and a global lens, Jon Murray is reshaping modern hospitality through Noko and Kase—two acclaimed East Nashville restaurants grounded in purpose, creativity, and care. With nearly two decades in the industry, Jon is committed to changing hospitality from the inside out—building people-first workplaces and concept-driven restaurants that challenge industry norms and deliver thoughtful, intentional dining experiences.

Jon’s career began in music management, where years of touring sparked a deep appreciation for food as a form of connection. In 2011, he pivoted to hospitality and quickly rose from server to General Manager at celebrated restaurants across the Southeast. By 2019, he was serving as Chief Restaurant Officer at Indigo Road Hospitality Group, overseeing more than 20 concepts and guiding new restaurant openings across the region.

In 2023, Jon founded Noko, an Asian-inspired, wood-fired restaurant in East Nashville with Executive Chef Dung “Junior” Vo and Managing Partner Wilson Brannock. Celebrated by Eater and OpenTable as one of the nation’s top restaurants, Noko is guided by a people over profit ethos. Jon has been instrumental in developing an employee betterment program—offered across all their restaurants—that includes four-day workweeks, paid vacation, complimentary therapy and gym memberships, travel stipends, and more. Reflecting his and the team’s strong commitment to community, Noko donates 1% of net profits to the Nashville Children’s Alliance and co-hosts the annual “Dine to Shine” gala that raises vital funds for children affected by abuse. Just next door, Jon and the team opened Kase in 2024, a 14-seat omakase bar focused on affordable luxury—offering a $75-per-person tasting menu and one of the hardest-to-get reservations in the country.

Guided by purpose and passion, Jon is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming hospitality—he shapes his restaurants with intention, inspires his teams to grow, and encourages positive change throughout the industry, continuing to push boundaries with growth and new concepts on the horizon.