Hanson Li

CEO, Lazy Susan

Hanson Li is the co-founder and CEO of Lazy Susan, a contemporary concept of Chinese American take-out and he is also the founder and managing partner of Salt Partners, a F&B holding company. Salt’s current portfolio includes national brands like Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream, award winning concepts like LocoL, Last Rites, Horsefeather, B-Side, Neighbor Bakehouse and Sunday Bakeshop. He co-founded his first concept, Halcyon, in 2002 – now with 4 locations in Texas. Salt’s legacy portfolio includes Locol and Crenn Dining Group.

Hanson is also an active investor and advisor to companies at the intersection of food and technology: PlateIQ (acquired by FTV Capital), Servy (acquired by Resy), Meitre, Entrée, Territory Foods, Vitabowl, and Pared. Beyond Salt, his food investments include Sanzo, Bacon Bacon, Sufferfest Beer (acquired by Sierra Nevada) and Apothekary.

Prior to founding Salt Partners, Hanson spent 10 years as Managing Director at The Hina Group where he specialized in China focused investments and M&A transactions. Hanson earned an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business where he was named Siebel Scholar in recognition as one of the top 5 graduates in his class and was also recognized as an Arjay Miller Scholar. He graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Human Biology and MA in Sociology (Organizational Behavior). He currently serves as a director on the boards of Center for Asian American Media and Golden Gate Restaurant Association. Originally from Hong Kong, Hanson grew up in Hong Kong, Taiwan, New York, and Malaysia and now makes his home in San Francisco with his family.