Meghan Synco Leads Loud City Hospitality at Paycom Center

The Oklahoma native is the first woman to take the helm of the food service brand at the home of the NBA's Thunder.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:51am

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Meghan Synco, an Oklahoma native, has become the first woman to lead Loud City Hospitality, the food service brand at Paycom Center, home of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. Synco's career path has taken her from local restaurant groups to overseeing the complex food operations at the arena, where she focuses on building a positive team culture and mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Why it matters

Synco's appointment as the executive chef overseeing Loud City Hospitality represents a milestone for women in sports and entertainment leadership roles. Her emphasis on mentorship and cultivating a collaborative kitchen culture also reflects a broader shift happening across the culinary industry.

The details

Synco's journey has included stints at local Oklahoma staples like Sonic and Buffalo Wild Wings, as well as more upscale establishments like the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. She later oversaw multiple kitchens across restaurant groups in Oklahoma City, including more than a dozen concepts with Hal Smith Restaurant Group. This experience prepared her for the scale and complexity of running food operations at Paycom Center, where she coordinates roughly a dozen kitchens to serve thousands of guests on game nights.

  • Synco started in her role as executive chef overseeing Loud City Hospitality on January 26, 2026.
  • Synco will turn 40 years old later this year.

The players

Meghan Synco

The first woman to lead Loud City Hospitality, the food service brand at Paycom Center, home of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kenneth Hardiman

A mentor to Synco who previously worked as the executive chef for the Milwaukee Bucks and now holds a leadership position with Levy Restaurants, the national hospitality company that oversees Loud City Hospitality.

Levy Restaurants

The national hospitality company that specializes in sports and entertainment venues and oversees Loud City Hospitality at Paycom Center.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The NBA team that plays its home games at Paycom Center, where Loud City Hospitality provides the food service.

Edmond Santa Fe High School

A local high school with a restaurant management program that Synco mentors students in.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of the stars had to align.”

— Meghan Synco, Executive Chef, Loud City Hospitality

“You have to take an arena this big in chunks. Excellent executive sous chefs, wonderful supervisors, clear communication, that's how you make it work.”

— Meghan Synco, Executive Chef, Loud City Hospitality

“We don't have to yell. We don't have to throw pans. You can push for excellence without pushing people past their limits.”

— Meghan Synco, Executive Chef, Loud City Hospitality

“Our boys are always talking about how they've got that dog in them, and I feel that too.”

— Meghan Synco, Executive Chef, Loud City Hospitality

What’s next

Synco will continue to lead the food service operations at Paycom Center, overseeing the team of chefs and staff to provide a high-quality experience for thousands of Thunder fans on game nights.

The takeaway

Meghan Synco's rise to become the first woman to lead the food service brand at Paycom Center showcases the growing opportunities for women in sports and entertainment leadership roles. Her focus on building a positive team culture and mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals reflects a broader shift in the industry towards more collaborative and inclusive approaches.