Michael Sponaugle

Co-Owner

Michael Sponaugle grew up in the hospitality industry and worked his way through the ranks as a team trainer for a corporate restaurant group in Houston before moving his career to Florida.

Having spent 27 years in the hospitality industry in the US and Europe, the last 15 years have been in Miami developing restaurant concepts, and in 2016, Michael founded BUYA Restaurant Group, which currently operates locations in the US, Germany, and Portugal.

Sponaugle met Lewis, Maynes, and Haigh in 2016 as the trio opened KYU Miami, and the stage was set to collaborate at some point in the future developing a brand together. The time finally came in 2021, when the group founded UKIAH, a concept that combined their love and experience with Japanese cuisine with the passion for amazing service and just great food.