What Now Media recently hosted its Orlando Accelerate networking event on Wednesday, October 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Primrose Lanes, 400 N. Primrose Drive, bringing the local business community together. Hosted by What Now’s COO Joshua Spivak, the gathering offered a place for hospitality professionals, retailers, and industry partners from across Central Florida to convene and share ideas.
The event welcomed 48 attendees: 28 business attendees and 20 industry partner representatives. In attendance were owners, co-owners, franchisees, founders, and management professionals, meeting with companies that provide restaurant technology, payment processing, accounting, payroll, telecommunications, and other business services.
F&B and Retail Attendees
Nep Sai Gon BBQ & Hotpot — 6817 Eagle Watch Drive, Suite 275, Orlando
Owner Oanh Vo and attendee Tary Tam represented Nep Sai Gon BBQ & Hotpot. The Vietnamese restaurant, formerly Pho Au Lac, is introducing a new concept this week centered on barbecue, hot pot, and traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Fuelhouse — 8457 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando
Owner Chelsey Ducharme represented Fuelhouse, an independently owned restaurant serving handcrafted drinks and fresh, locally sourced food. The concept features Italian grinders, breakfast sandwiches, and other made-to-order offerings.
MilkShake Factory — Kissimmee, FL
Capt. Miller Johnson, franchisee, represented MilkShake Factory, a dessert franchise specializing in handspun milkshakes, housemade ice cream, and gourmet chocolates. Its first Central Florida location opened in Downtown Orlando in July, with additional locations planned.
Johnson’s Coffee Co. — 1480 E. Michigan St., Orlando
Co-Owner Sean Johnson and attendee Natalia Barrera represented Johnson’s Coffee Co. The business expanded from a mobile coffee trailer into a brick-and-mortar café offering espresso drinks, matcha, drip coffee, and breakfast items.
H&H Brazilian Steakhouse — 3250 Rolling Oaks Blvd., Kissimmee
Owner Sabrina Hendler represented H&H Brazilian Steakhouse, a Brazilian churrasco restaurant near Disney World. Its offerings include tableside rodízio service, premium cuts of meat, a gourmet salad bar, and traditional Brazilian desserts.
Pink Brick Boutique — 421 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
Lisa Layton represented Pink Brick Boutique, an apparel retailer preparing to establish a Winter Park storefront. The boutique secured a 1,741-square-foot space in April, with an opening targeted before the end of the year.
John 3:16 Caffe — 1111 New York Ave., St. Cloud
Owner Kristy Cook and attendee Abir Blaney represented John 3:16 Caffe. The faith-centered coffee shop relocated earlier this year to a nearby property in downtown St. Cloud with an outdoor space.
Vicky Bakery — 334 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando
Franchisees Dione Brady and Maria Isabel represented Vicky Bakery. The Cuban bakery serves traditional favorites such as pastelitos, croquetas, Cuban bread, café con leche, and custom cakes.
F&D Cantina — 1 Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach
COO Tim Barber represented F&D Cantina, a Mexican restaurant concept known for its food and handcrafted cocktails. The brand is expanding into Daytona Beach with a location at ONE DAYTONA, coming soon.
Fluffy Fluffy — 4250 W. Plaza Drive, Ste H, Orlando
Franchisee Artie Stoeke represented Fluffy Fluffy, a fast-casual concept specializing in Japanese-style soufflé pancakes. The business announced its UCF-area expansion in 2025, and is expected to debut in December.
62 Cigar Bar and Social Club — Central FL
Co-Owners Donny Itwaru and Karen Moreta represented their venture 62 Cigar Bar and Social Club. The concept, a cigar lounge and social club, has been in development since 2024.
Eola Food Hall — 150 E. Central Blvd., Orlando
Owners James Ekbatani and Shahek Ekbatani represented Eola Food Hall, a multilevel downtown Orlando food and entertainment destination. Its plans include 12 food vendors, a full bar, sports lounge, wine bar, and speakeasy, with an opening targeted for late 2026.
Sweet Cone Ice Cream — 14990 Kissimmee Vineland Road, Suite 132, Orlando
Business Partner Stefan Da Silva Larsson and Owner Zack Ijaz represented Sweet Cone Ice Cream. The upscale parlor recently debuted and features a premium indoor lounge atmosphere designed for late-night gatherings and community events.
Ijaz shared his experience at the Accelerate event, saying, “What Now Orlando Accelerate was a wonderful experience. We loved meeting the founder and connecting with so many amazing business owners who generously shared their stories. Hearing about their journeys was inspiring, and we really enjoyed the opportunity to come together as a business community.”
Dr Drips Coffee Lounge — 1618 N Orange Ave, Orlando
Founder and Owner Wyl Robinson represented Dr Drips Coffee Lounge. The vintage-inspired coffee lounge opened in Ivanhoe Village in October 2025, offering specialty coffee, lattes, and more.
Reserve 925 / Trellis 925 — 1801 Maitland Blvd., Orlando
Attendees Nicolle Maya and Olivia Price represented Reserve 925 and Trellis 925, associated with 925 Group. Reserve 925 is an upcoming upscale restaurant and sports bar planned for the former Sam Snead’s Oak Grill and Tavern space, and Trellis 925 operates as the company’s event venue.
Fat Cats — 306 W. Ardice Ave., Eustis
Owner Scott Stoltz represented Fat Cats, an entertainment and restaurant concept planned for Eustis. Development plans include billiards, darts, food, drinks, and a pro shop.
Daje Pinsa — 7823 S. Orange Ave., Unit 148, Orlando
Owner Gabriele Uberti represented Daje Pinsa, a fast-casual Italian restaurant specializing in Roman-style pinsa that’s debuting this fall. The concept features a lighter, crispier pizza with an airy interior, using traditional Italian ingredients and a 72-hour fermentation process.
Dougie’s Dog Bar / The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel — Orlando
Assistant Marketing Manager Liz Leon represented Dougie’s Dog Bar and The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel. Dougie’s combines a dog-friendly social setting with food, drinks, and indoor and outdoor play areas, while The Ark offers related pet care services.
TaKo Cheena — 932 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Owner Edgardo Guzman represented TaKo Cheena, an Asian-Latin fusion restaurant known for its creative tacos and globally inspired dishes. Last month, the restaurant announced plans to move back to its original location; a reopening date has not been confirmed.
Lechonera De Kissimmee — 1205 John Young Parkway, Kissimmee
Co-Owner Jaden Chery represented Lechonera De Kissimmee, a new restaurant specializing in Puerto Rican-style roast pork. The business debuted last month.
Partner Attendees
SpotOn
Team Lead Luis Lora Garcia represented SpotOn, a payment processing and restaurant technology provider offering point-of-sale systems, online ordering, reservations, marketing, and customer loyalty tools.
DoorDash
Merchant Lead Phil Prasisto represented DoorDash. Its Merchant Suite helps restaurants expand online sales, reach new customers, manage delivery orders, and grow their businesses.
Global Payments – Genius Point of Sale
Senior Relationship Manager James Faherty and District Manager Jose Saint Esteben represented Global Payments. Its Genius division provides payment processing and point-of-sale technology for restaurants and other businesses.
Human Interest
PAM Gina Grim represented Human Interest, a financial technology company providing full-service 401(k) retirement plans designed for small and midsize businesses.
Liquid Environmental Solutions Corporation
Sales Executives Craig Yoquelet and Ric DeGennaro, along with Regional Account Manager Thomas Duke, represented Liquid Environmental Solutions Corporation. The company provides commercial liquid waste management, grease trap cleaning, used cooking oil recycling, and wastewater disposal.
OpenTable
Senior Account Executive Victor Scott represented OpenTable, a restaurant reservation and guest management platform that helps restaurants manage bookings, connect with diners, and improve table utilization.
A Head For Profits
Installation Manager Derek Zumbrum represented A Head For Profits, which specializes in draft beer system installation, maintenance, and service for restaurants and bars.
Auris
PCM Casey Kopec and Territory Manager Tammi Kopec represented Auris, a payroll and human resources provider serving small and midsize businesses.
Broward Nelson
Sales representative Steve Oliver represented Broward Nelson, a supplier of beverage-grade carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and draft beer gases for restaurants and bars.
Charter/Spectrum
Associate Rafael Ogura represented Charter/Spectrum. Through Spectrum Business, the telecommunications company provides business internet, phone, and connectivity services.
ClarkHirth
CPA Jason Hirth represented ClarkHirth, an accounting firm providing financial and accounting services to businesses, including restaurant operators.
JJ’s Waste & Recycling
Regional Vice President Rich Raley, Florida Sales Manager Wendy Edwards, and Orlando Sales Administrator Corina Sandoval represented JJ’s Waste & Recycling, a commercial waste management and recycling provider.
Easy Ice
Senior Business Development Manager Shawn Cannon and Sales Manager Horatio Highland represented Easy Ice, a commercial ice machine provider offering equipment rentals, installation, maintenance, and repair services.
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.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2026. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
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