Kola Adewale-Founder and CEO, The Smackers Limited

Mr. Kola Adewale is founder and CEO, The Smackers Limited with the flagship trademark The Place Restaurant. The business is a string of hospitality and entertainment outlets he started out 14 years ago in Ikeja, Lagos.

Since the inception of the first outlet in 2006, the brand has continued to soar, even defying the downswing in the economy in 2020. The ability to keep expanding his service network in 2020 despite economic lockdown and general slowdown in business momentum is the distinguishing mark of The CEO of The Place in the year.

The Place Restaurant-bar-nightclub-hotel continues to experience rapid growth all over Lagos State with locations in Lekki, Victoria Island, GRA Ikeja, Surulere, Alausa and Akowonjo. Other locations are at Ogba, Festac, Maryland, Circle Mall, Ikoyi, Satellite and Oniru, Ikotun,

 all in Lagos.

Moving continually against the business and economic headwinds, Adewale has built a business that is stable amidst volatility and isn’t going anywhere but up in satisfying the food and pleasure needs of customers.

The Place caters for guests who have a craving for restaurant/bar services and night life. Adewale is out to create a better everyday life for customers by satisfying their changing taste and expectations. The Place is popularly known for its array of dishes, including asun, grilled chicken, rice and yam dishes.

The bar/lounge transforms to a major night club on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with great music from top-rated DJs and live performances by “A” list artistes/musicians. It also offers an irresistible package for private party hosts and event planners.

Adewale studied agricultural engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he graduated in first class in agricultural engineering – the best graduating student in the year.  He started his professional career at Arthur Andersen as an audit and accounting staff for six years before moving into business/management consulting and accounting for his next ten years at Arthur Andersen (now KPMG).