A Fresh Italian Concept, With a Quiet Link to the Group’s Legacy.
Vertice was a new move for Summit Hospitality Group, a team already known around Kansas City for Summit Grill and Third Street Social. The goal was to introduce an Italian concept that felt fresh and elevated, without feeling like it came from a different world than the rest of their restaurants.
We built a brand that stands on its own, but carries a subtle connection back to Summit’s broader lineup. It feels distinct, yet unmistakably “theirs.” A new destination for guests, and a natural next chapter for the group.
Shaping the Vertice brand around a single, memorable “V” that feels like both a signature and a symbol.
Because the letter V is naturally strong and easy to remember, the concept work focused on styling it as a first-letter mark that can stand alone when needed. Vertice means “summit” in Italian, a nod to the owners’ first restaurant, Summit Grill, which led the exploration toward the Italian Dolomite mountains known for their distinct, off-to-the-side peaks. That idea became a slanted summit “V” that balances letterform and landscape, with a bonus read for some people as a slice of pizza. The rest of the visual system came together through warm, appetizing colors, old-world ingredient illustrations, and type choices that make the whole brand feel classic, inviting, and special.
