Nils Westlind’s path to owning a trio of Chicago hotspots was anything but direct. Raised in Colombia and relocating to Chicago at 15, he entered hospitality through a side hustle and stayed for the creativity, community, and chaos. After years working for major restaurant groups, he broke off on his own, opening Komo, a refined Japanese dining experience, and Esco, a booming nightclub.
Each space is its own world, but behind the scenes, the same operational demands apply. That’s why Westlind partners with F3, a restaurant technology and support provider that handles everything from system setup to real-time troubleshooting. Whether it’s configuring point-of-sale networks across multiple floors, maintaining connectivity between nightclub and kitchen operations, or resolving late-night service outages, F3 acts as an embedded IT and infrastructure team for hospitality brands that can’t afford downtime.
24/7 Service
“F3 just makes things smoother. There’s no other way to put it,” Westlind says. “When we had a systems meltdown at 11 p.m., Dan Diaz from F3 got in his car and drove down himself. That kind of support? It’s everything. Especially when your biggest sales hours are between midnight and 3 a.m.”
As his hospitality group expands, Westlind is adamant about scaling with intention. That means working with professionals who not only understand the tools but also the rhythm of the business. F3 knows his venues, his layout, and how each system ties together. They don’t just install. They stay connected, anticipate problems, and step in when it matters most.
The Power Of Storytelling
But tech is just one piece of the puzzle. Culture and storytelling are equally central to Westlind’s vision. Komo, for example, evolved during the pandemic in partnership with renowned sushi chef Mako Chan. Their shared backgrounds, including Westlind’s Latin roots and Chan’s Tokyo upbringing, blend into a culinary narrative that plays out in every dish and design detail.
“Chicago’s a melting pot,” Westlind says. “That’s what makes this city great. We’re bringing our own mix into that pot, and our story is part of the experience.”
At Esco, that storytelling takes a different shape, one filled with nightlife, music, and theatricality. It’s where Westlind channels his early dreams of being on stage and behind a guitar. Now, instead of performing, he’s producing the whole show.
Still, he knows none of it works without the right people. “You can’t just hand off twenty different jobs to one person and expect excellence,” he explains. “That’s how burnout happens. We believe in role clarity and giving each team member the ability to focus and succeed.”
Creating Brand Identity
That includes leaning on creative agency GAZ for social media and branding, which is led by Westlind’s sister. Their partnership ensures that each brand’s visual identity matches its in-person energy, while freeing up internal teams to stay focused on operations.
With new projects in the pipeline and an ambitious year ahead, Westlind is clear-eyed about the challenges. But he’s just as energized by the possibilities.
“I’m not doing this just to run restaurants,” he says. “I’m doing it because I love creating. I love seeing a room full of people having the time of their lives. That’s the payoff. That’s why we keep building.”
Whether it’s a quiet dinner at Komo, a packed dancefloor at Esco, or a rare Japanese whiskey at Shogun, Nils Westlind’s hospitality philosophy remains the same: connect, delight, and deliver. Night after night. Guest after guest.
And when the lights flicker or the system stalls, F3 is just a phone call away.
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