Platform Key Milestones

A vertically integrated team oversees all aspects of the investment and ownership process, seeking to provide a total alignment of interests with investors.

Driftwood Capital Founder Carlos Rodriguez, Sr. launches Cardel Hospitality Group
1997
Driftwood Hospitality Management (DHM) founded by Driftwood Capital Managing Partner David Buddemeyer, with Lehman Brothers as anchor investor
1999
Cardel Group merges with DHM
2003
DHM buys out Lehman Brothers’ interest
2009
Rodriguez, his son Carlos Rodriguez, Jr. and Buddemeyer create an innovative private equity platform for accredited investors and launch Driftwood Acquisitions & Development (DAD), a fund focused on hospitality
2015
DAD founders launch Driftwood Capital and raise three “GP Funds” dedicated to hospitality acquisitions, development and lending
2019
Driftwood Capital recapitalizes DHM, which then becomes a controlled subsidiary, creating a fully-integrated hospitality ecosystem
2021