A diverse group of Atlanta restaurant owners and hospitality professionals came together for What Now Media Group’s latest “Accelerate” event on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Hosted at Miss Conduck, a stylish Southern restaurant located at 357 Edgewood Ave SE, the gathering offered a vibrant space for local restaurateurs to share ideas, network with peers, and explore strategies for growing in Atlanta’s ever-evolving food scene.
Miss Conduck, a locally beloved dining destination blending Southern flavors with a creative twist, welcomed representatives from over two dozen local restaurants featured on What Now Atlanta, as well as industry-leading Preferred Partners from What Now Media Group’s network. Attendees had the opportunity to mingle over bites and beverages before engaging in a collaborative discussion focused on navigating today’s competitive market.
The event, led by Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, brought together a dynamic lineup of restaurant owners and business leaders.
Among the attendees was Kay Masri, co-owner of Olive Bistro, a family-run Mediterranean concept soon relocating to Vinings. Jasmine Crowe-Houston, owner of Little Loaf, also joined the conversation, bringing her mission of food equity to the table with her new deli concept, which focuses on affordability and accessibility.
Devon Green, owner of Midtown Social Restaurant & Bar, was in attendance as well, sharing plans for his West Midtown eatery that merges upscale brunch, cocktails, and nightlife. Representing the Thai fusion scene was Matt Bhamaraniyama, co-owner of Tyde Tate Kitchen, a local favorite preparing to open a new location at Krog Street Market.
Other notable attendees included Donald Williams, the driving force behind Blake’s Oyster Bar / D’juan’s New Orleans Bistro, bringing Crescent City cuisine to Atlanta; Crystal Betts, owner of GoodFellas Pizza and Wings, who’s expanding her beloved pizza and wings concept; and Jesse Kauffman of the Pickleball Club of Georgia, sharing how their growing sports and cafe venue aims to become a local destination.
From the entertainment-restaurant crossover space, Angelo Diaz and Franck Mille of The Copacabana offered insights into their highly anticipated revival of the legendary nightclub brand. Rounding out the list was Birdie Niyomkun, founder of Tipsy Thaiger, a new Thai concept pairing traditional dishes with a modern bar atmosphere in Roswell.
The evening also welcomed over a dozen representatives from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners, each offering valuable tools and support tailored to restaurants and hospitality brands.
Representing SpotOn, Mike Sardone, Don Pirone, and Babs Woods discussed point-of-sale and management solutions designed to simplify operations for local eateries. ECOLAB representatives Angela Burbey, Molly Kitchen, and Michael Valdez shared how their pest elimination programs help protect foodservice businesses from sanitation risks.
Heartland’s Nina Goyco spoke with operators about payroll and payment solutions designed to streamline back-end operations, while Our Town America’s Joe Nunziata outlined direct mail programs that help restaurants reach new residents and build a loyal customer base. Via Failla Marketing’s Valerie Failla-Heaberlin also joined, advising on marketing strategies that enhance visibility and brand identity for emerging concepts.
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 provided a valuable platform for restaurant owners and industry partners to collaborate, brainstorm, and establish new connections. It’s clear that the Atlanta 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.
