In this episode of The Pi Files, host Eric Peterson, licensed private investigator in California, sits down with Mario Morovic, CEO of Lounge Group, inside the speakeasy at Malarkey’s Irish Pub in Newport Beach.

Mario shares his family’s immigrant journey from Croatia and how his father’s work ethic shaped everything that followed—from opening a small neighborhood tavern to building one of Orange County’s most respected hospitality groups. With 16 bars and restaurants under his leadership, Mario pulls back the curtain on the real work behind the industry: long hours, calculated risk, hard lessons, and the responsibility of preserving community institutions.

The conversation explores:

• Growing up in a family-run bar and learning grit early

• Leaving banking to return to hospitality

• Scaling multiple concepts without chasing trends

• Preserving iconic venues while modernizing operations

• Labor challenges, lawsuits, and COVID’s impact on restaurants

• Building legacy businesses meant to outlast the owner

Recorded in one of Newport Beach’s most historic locations, this episode is an honest look at entrepreneurship, leadership, and the unseen work behind places people call home.

Support your local bars and restaurants.