A diverse group of Tampa restaurateurs and industry professionals gathered on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, for the latest “Accelerate” event hosted by What Now Media Group at Sunda New Asian. Located in the heart of Midtown at 3648 Midtown Drive, the stylish, upscale restaurant set the stage for a high-energy evening of networking, idea-sharing, and strategic collaboration within Tampa’s restaurant scene.
Sunda New Asian, a contemporary dining concept that blends modern takes on classic Asian cuisine, hosted the free event, drawing together a broad spectrum of entrepreneurs featured on What Now Tampa. From fast-casual newcomers to established sit-down eateries, attendees had the opportunity to engage with What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners and one another over curated bites and drinks. The program culminated in a presentation focused on accelerating growth in an increasingly dynamic and competitive market.
The event was hosted by Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, who helped orchestrate an afternoon that exceeded expectations. Gisela Gonzalez, Events Manager for What Now Media Group, also attended, saying, “From the moment guests arrived, the hospitality, venue layout, and elevated food offerings set the tone for an engaging and upscale experience. The space was perfect—spacious yet intimate, and designed for meaningful interaction.” The official event ran from 4–6 p.m., but the conversation and collaboration continued well into happy hour, as many chose to stay and build connections.
Attendees included a wide range of Tampa’s restaurateurs and food & beverage entrepreneurs, such as Benjamin Burkhalter, franchisee of Everbowl, who is bringing the superfood bowl brand’s health-forward concept to the area, and Charles Frost and Brittany Frost, co-owners of Crave Coffee + Market, a locally beloved café set to open in Seminole.
Also present was Marlon Yepes, owner of Mi Carreta Restaurant and Bakery, which is known for its rich Colombian flavors and scratch-made baked goods, along with Jen Daysa of Beloved Community Cafe, a socially-driven café opening soon in St. Pete with a “pay what you can” model.
Other notable attendees included Jimmy Nunez, owner of Jimmy’s Tacos, George Brooks and Sarah Brooks, co-owners of The Book Rescuers, a hybrid bookstore and café concept gaining local traction, and Ashley Tucker and Barbara Canty of the soon-to-open Cambria Hotel Tampa-Brandon, which will feature an elevated in-house dining experience. Ian Lieberman, franchisee of Dave’s Hot Chicken and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, was also in attendance as he prepares to debut both concepts in the Tampa market.
Several Preferred Partners from What Now Media Group’s expert network attended the event, providing crucial insights and services to support local businesses. Tiffany LeTendre of ADT offered expert guidance on restaurant security systems, helping operators ensure their businesses are protected from the start. George Gammon from Champion Ordering spoke with guests about streamlining their online ordering systems to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Tammi Kopec, senior product specialist at Heartland, shared how payroll automation and back-office tools can simplify management and scale operations. Thomas Duke of Liquid Environmental Solutions discussed environmentally-conscious grease cleaning services that help restaurants meet sanitation standards and operate more sustainably. Susan Kopstad and Rick Nawojski from Sea Breeze Coffee & Tea were also present, engaging with owners about high-quality beverage solutions that enhance the guest experience.
Additional partners, such as Nick Zadravec and Crystal Mallard of SpotOn POS, and Michael Avallone of Our Town America, also contributed their industry expertise, supporting operators through tailored POS systems and hyper-local marketing outreach to attract and retain new customers.
The restaurant owners and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners shared valuable insights, operational highlights, and expert advice, creating an engaging and informative evening that was both enriching and beneficial for all attendees.
This led Mariah to carry the conversation even deeper by discussing critical business points, such as having an exit plan and efficiently managing operations after expanding to multiple locations. After Mariah and the guests shared their tips, knowledge, and concerns, everyone became quickly interested in learning more about their businesses and how they could help one another.
This event served as a valuable platform for both restaurant owners and industry partners to collaborate, brainstorm, and form new connections. It’s clear that the Tampa restaurant community is eager to continue innovating and evolving, and What Now Media Group’s Accelerate events provide the perfect space for these conversations to take place.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 33 cities across North America, breaking news, and provides timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 33 cities annually.
The industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners help new businesses open and existing businesses grow.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2025. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
Click here for a complete list of our partners. To learn more about becoming a preferred partner, click here.
