A diverse group of Charlotte-area restaurant operators and industry professionals gathered for What Now Media Group’s “Accelerate” event, hosted at McHale’s Pub at 3112 N Davidson Street in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The event provided a valuable opportunity for Charlotte’s restaurant community to connect, share ideas, and discuss strategies for navigating a competitive and rapidly evolving market.
McHale’s Pub hosted the free event, bringing together dozens of representatives from businesses featured on What Now Charlotte. This included local restaurants and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners. Attendees networked while engaging with fellow operators before participating in a presentation focused on strategies for growing and succeeding in today’s competitive market.
The event was hosted by Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, who guided conversations throughout the evening. Attendees included a range of Charlotte restaurateurs and operators, including Kyle Kennedy, Partner at McHale’s Pub, and Ryan Sanderson, Co-founder of Knowledge Perk Coffee, a growing coffee concept expanding across the Carolinas.
Other participants included Lythe Elhulu, Franchise Owner of Karak House Coffee, and Brian Woulfe, Operating Partner of Sonrisa / Cotton Room / Belfast Mill Irish Pub, a multi-concept hospitality group active in downtown Charlotte’s entertainment districts.
Additional attendees included Herve Laveaud, CEO of Three Lanterns, a fast-casual concept blending Asian cuisines in South End, and Nikki Velazquez, Co-owner of Plot Twist, a Plaza Midwood bar concept focused on curated beverage experiences. Also present was Marian Hall, Owner of Simpli City Cafe, a café concept developing in LoSo.
The event also welcomed Larry Suggs, Owner of All Purpose Bar, a NoDa neighborhood bar concept known for its community-driven atmosphere, and Manolo Betancur, Owner of The Changebaker Place / Manola’s Bakery, a long-standing Charlotte bakery brand expanding its footprint in the city.
Additional operators included Deanna Thompson Brown, Co-Franchisee of Toastique, and Fernando Perez, Co-owner of Small Bar NoDa. Elvado Laing, Co-owner of The Reggae Lounge, also joined the event representing an emerging Caribbean nightlife concept planned for Uptown.
Several of What Now Media Group’s Preferred Partners also attended to provide operational support, business guidance, and strategic insights. Jamaal Baksh and Terrance Evins of ADT Security Services discussed security solutions tailored to restaurant environments, including surveillance and loss-prevention strategies.
From Auris, Carley Renzo, Mark Said, and Tyler Hayes shared insights on payroll and HR systems designed to streamline staffing operations for multi-location restaurant groups. Jason Hirth of ClarkHirth provided guidance on accounting strategies and financial planning for growing hospitality businesses.
From Gen-Con Group, Elijah Baker and Mark Coats discussed construction and buildout considerations for new restaurant openings, while Geoff Weaver and Steven Gates of SpotOn offered expertise on point-of-sale systems and integrated restaurant technology solutions that help operators improve efficiency.
Additional support came from Robert Favetella and Jeremy Roberts of Global Payments, who highlighted payment-processing tools designed specifically for hospitality operators.
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 Medley 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 Phoenix restaurant community is eager to continue innovating and evolving, and What Now Media Group’s Accelerate events provide the perfect space for these conversations.
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 2026. 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.
