Carl Sobocinski
President, Table 301 Restaurant Group
Carl Sobocinski is founder and president of Table 301 Restaurant Group, located in Greenville, South Carolina. Carl has spearheaded the company’s growth and development over the past 20 years which now includes eight signature concepts in its portfolio: Soby’s New South Cuisine, The Lazy Goat, NOSE DIVE Gastropub, Highway 301 Food Truck, CAMP, Southern Pressed Juicery, Table 301 Catering & Kitchen, and The Jones Oyster Co.
A native of Durham, New Hampshire, Carl made his way to South Carolina and Clemson University where he pursued an architectural degree. Following his graduation, Carl quickly realized that his true passion aligned more with the hospitality industry and community service than architecture and design. In the mid-90s, he took a leap of faith and opened his first restaurant called The 858 in Greenville. Soby’s New South Cuisine followed in 1997 and the rest is history.
Today, Carl is an active contributor to Greenville’s and the state of South Carolina’s business and charitable communities. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee for the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA), the Furman University President’s Advisory Council and Mentor Greenville where he participates as a volunteer through the Frazee Dream Center. Carl was nominated and selected for a Liberty Fellowship in 2014, a program that recognizes grass-root leaders of South Carolina and asks them to collaborate on creative solutions to some of the state’s greatest challenges. In spring 2017, he was chosen to participate in Furman University’s Riley Institute DLI Upstate Class XXIII, an initiative that seeks established leaders in the area to help examine critical issues to the state and how they can drive positive change. In January 2018, Carl was invited to join the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Greenville County. In June 2019, Carl joined the Executive Committee for the Heart Ball, the signature fundraising event for the American Heart Association. On a national scale, Carl served for three terms as a board member for the National Restaurant Association where he held the position of Chairman of the Jobs and Careers Committee.
Carl’s dedication to Greenville led him to work with the Executive Committee of the Greenville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau where he was instrumental in the city’s “Branding Initiative,” a successful effort to use a portion of hospitality tax revenues to create a plan for marketing and promoting Greenville as a tourist destination. In 2006, he and platinum-selling singer-songwriter Edwin McCain spearheaded the creation of Greenville’s nationally-acclaimed, four-day food, wine and music festival called euphoria. Over the past 11 years, the event has evolved into a premier culinary and musical arts destination for thousands each September and has helped to raise important funds for Local Boys Do Good, a foundation that supports non-profits in the community. Today, Carl holds emeritus status on the board of euphoria.
Over the past two decades, Carl has been honored for his many contributions, including: South Carolina Restaurant Association’s Restaurateur of the Year, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Greenville Jaycees, finalist for Greenville Magazine’s Nelson Mullins Business Person of the Year, and Leadership Greenville’s Distinguished Alumni Award from the Chamber of Commerce where he is a proud member of the Chamber’s Leadership Greenville Class 26. In 2015, Greenville Business Magazine inducted Carl into the 50 Most Influential People/Hall of Fame and GSA Business Magazine voted him as one of the “Top Twenty Most Influential Leaders in the Upstate.” In September 2020, Carl was presented the “Order of the Palmetto” by Governor Henry McMaster, the state’s highest civilian honor.
Carl’s passion for Greenville started long ago and he remains an enthusiastic supporter for the city’s growth and future. Much of the success with his restaurant group comes directly from his own mantra to provide all guests with an exceptional dining experience, one that exceeds their expectations. Today, his inspiration comes from raising his daughters who keep him busy with everything from tennis to dance recitals to basketball and experiencing all the milestones that come along with being a proud father.