Cassie Ghaffar

Cassie Ghaffar is the co-founder and operating force behind Saigon Hustle, where she seamlessly blends culinary creativity with sharp business acumen. As the master chef behind the kitchen and a driving force in daily operations, Cassie leads everything from menu development to team culture, ensuring every detail reflects the brand’s energy, authenticity, and consistency. Before launching Saigon Hustle, Cassie built an extensive career in wealth management in healthcare, serving as Executive Vice President of Marketing & Operations for a private equity and wealth management firm. There, she led strategic growth initiatives across a portfolio of healthcare companies, specializing in capital development, branding, and scaling operations in complex, evolving markets. This foundation shaped her disciplined, systems-driven approach to building businesses that are both profitable and purpose-driven. Cassie is also a highly successful multi-unit franchise owner, having owned and operated multiple locations across Texas. Recognized as a top-performing operator in the state, she developed a reputation for building strong teams, optimizing performance through data-driven decision-making, and scaling businesses with intention and precision. At her core, Cassie’s passion for food began at home, cooking for family and friends and creating moments around the table. What started as a personal expression of love and culture has evolved into a platform to share and celebrate Vietnamese cuisine with a broader community. Today, she brings that same heart into Saigon Hustle, while channeling her entrepreneurial drive toward thoughtful expansion and long-term growth. Cassie thrives at the intersection of creativity and execution, where culture, food, and business come together to build something lasting.

Sandy Nguyen is the co-founder of Saigon Hustle, driven by a deep-rooted love for hospitality and a passion for creating spaces where people feel genuinely welcomed. With a background in finance and operations, Sandy has spent her career building and supporting concepts that bring people together blending thoughtful business strategy with meaningful guest experiences. Prior to Saigon Hustle, Sandy served as a managing partner and CFO across multiple hospitality and lifestyle concepts, including restaurant, cafés, bakeries, and event-driven spaces. Her expertise spans financial strategy, capital planning, and scaling businesses from the ground up, always with a focus on sustainability, community impact, and long-term growth. While her foundation is in numbers, Sandy’s true strength lies in hospitality. She believes great businesses are built on how people feel, and she approaches every detail from operations to service, with that in mind. At Saigon Hustle, she leads with intention, ensuring the brand not only operates efficiently but delivers a warm, memorable experience for every guest. For Sandy, Saigon Hustle is more than a restaurant, it’s a reflection of culture, connection, and the joy of bringing people together around food.

Justin Yoakum joins Saigon Hustle as Vice President of Operations, bringing nearly two decades of experience leading high-performing hospitality teams across the country. With a background spanning multi-unit restaurant groups, fine dining, and large-scale concept development, Justin has overseen more than $36M in annual revenue while driving operational excellence, financial performance, and brand growth. Prior to joining Saigon Hustle, Justin served as Director of Operations for Culinary Khancepts, where he led diverse concepts ranging from full-service restaurants to hybrid dining and entertainment venues. His expertise in scaling systems, developing leadership teams, and executing strategic growth initiatives makes him a key driver in Saigon Hustle’s next phase of expansion. At Saigon Hustle, Justin is focused on building strong operational infrastructure, elevating the guest experience, and supporting the brand’s vision of modern Vietnamese hospitality at scale.