Glass hostaria: restaurant innovation at the heart of Trastevere

This case study is about strategic growth in a creative industry. It presents the steps undertaken by a highly symbolic organisation in order to acquire and maintain a distinctive position in a very competitive environment. Moreover, the case discusses the organisational structure and culture that help in fostering innovation and quality, and offer an interesting example of women’s entrepreneurship. Glass Hostaria is a Michelin-starred restaurant based in Trastevere, a neighborhood in Rome renowned for its stereotypical and fake traditional trattorias. In a relatively short period, Glass succeeded in creating for itself a distinctive position and image. This was achieved thanks to its unique mix of innovation, tradition and managerial practices. The continuous growth in quality and popularity led Glass to gain a Michelin star, a result that was hoped but unexpected. This accomplishment brought Glass management and staff to face a series of radical strategic choices for the future. The case highlights Glass key success factors by presenting the restaurant philosophy, its managerial practices and organisational structure