Dozens of Columbus restaurateurs and hospitality professionals gathered on Thursday, April 16, for an “Accelerate” event hosted by What Now Media Group at Good Night John Boy. The event offered a valuable space for Columbus’ food and beverage community to collaborate, share insights, and build connections in an increasingly competitive market.
Good Night John Boy, a retro-themed nightclub in the Short North Arts District, located at 906 N High Street, hosted the free event, bringing together over three dozen representatives from businesses featured on What Now Columbus. This included local restaurants and key representatives from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners. Guests enjoyed a lively atmosphere while networking over drinks before diving into a presentation on scaling up and standing out in the local market.
The event was hosted by Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, and featured several notable Columbus restaurateurs. Among the attendees was Ahmed Qaraja, owner of Zaki Mediterranean Grill, a local eatery offering fresh Mediterranean cuisine in a fast-casual setting. Adebomi Nanyanika and Jazma Carter from VitaliTea Juice Lounge were also present, representing their wellness-focused juice and smoothie shop known for its health-conscious offerings.
From the dessert world, Alisha Bergsten and Brian Johnson of Baes Bakery / Dayton Street Snacks made an appearance, with their creative sweet treats gaining attention across the region. Coffee and chocolate lovers were represented by Monica and Miles Thomas, co-franchisees of Winans Coffee and Chocolate, an Ohio-based brand known for its handcrafted confections and small-batch coffee.
Also in attendance was Robert Lee III, founder of Touchstone Hospitality, who is expanding concepts like Donatos Pizza and Preston’s: A Burger Joint, both popular names in the Columbus food scene. Matt Barnes, owner of Homefield / Leisure Club, brought energy and vision from his innovative concepts that blend fitness, social spaces, and dining.
Additional attendees included Cherokee and Michelle Rhoda of Dog Haus, a craft-casual brand specializing in gourmet hot dogs and sausages, and Loren Snow, founder and CEO of For The Love of Dough, known for their unique take on sweet and savory dough-based treats.
Representatives from What Now Media Group’s Preferred Partners were also in attendance, offering support and insights to local restaurant owners. Six Preferred Partners joined the event, including Derek Pentenburg of E HPS Heartland, who talked about payroll solutions, and Mitchell Crank and Conlan Seward from SpotOn, who shared how their POS system helps streamline operations and boost customer engagement.
Michael Farnham and Kyle Leadmon of UniFirst were there to discuss uniform and linen services. Tony Franchini from National Sign Systems provided tips on signage that can help restaurants improve visibility and attract more 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 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 Columbus 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.
For a complete list of our partners and to learn more about how to become a preferred partner, click here.
