A diverse group of Dallas restaurateurs and hospitality professionals came together for an “Accelerate” event hosted by What Now Media Group at The Liam’s Steakhouse. The event, held on April 2, 2026, provided a valuable opportunity for Dallas’ restaurant community to connect, exchange ideas, and discuss strategies for thriving in an increasingly competitive market.
The Liam’s Steakhouse, located at 1713 N Market Street, hosted the free event, bringing together dozens of representatives from businesses featured on What Now Dallas. This included local restaurants and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners. Attendees networked before a presentation 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, and featured a range of notable restaurateurs and business owners. Attendees included representatives from several Dallas-area concepts, including RJ’s Mexican Cuisine, Little Moose Creamery, Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, Shorty’s Coneys & Cocktails, Cocodrie’s Bayou Kitchen, Bite Sushi & Tapas, Vicela: Crafted Excellence, and Coco Shrimp.
Representatives such as Jay Khan (Owner of RJ’s Mexican Cuisine), David Cole (VP of Operations at Moaks BBQ), and Liliana Romero (Investor Relations and Office Manager at La Lupita USA) were in attendance, each actively contributing to the growth and evolution of their respective brands. Additionally, Cecile Luk and Rin Chui, co-owners of Little Moose Creamery, are expanding their beloved dessert concept into new markets.
Among the highlighted restaurants, Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza is known for its artisan-style pizzas and unique flavor combinations. At the same time, Cocodrie’s Bayou Kitchen brings authentic Cajun cuisine to the Dallas dining scene. Bite Sushi & Tapas offers a fusion of Japanese flavors with small plate dining, and Vicela: Crafted Excellence is building a reputation for its creative coffee cocktails and refined atmosphere.
Other attendees included Chris Brooke from Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, Bryan McVay of Shorty’s Coneys & Cocktails, Jesse Gibson of Cocodrie’s Bayou Kitchen, and Ikki Wu of Bite Sushi & Tapas. Concepts such as Coco Shrimp, MilkShake Factory, and On Deck Concepts also had representation, showcasing the diverse culinary landscape emerging in the Dallas area.
Representatives from several of What Now Media Group’s Preferred Partners attended to offer expert guidance and support. Melinda Hudson from PREP Shared Kitchens discussed shared kitchen solutions that help operators scale efficiently. Emily Ratcliff from Auris provided insight into payroll and HR solutions tailored for hospitality businesses.
John Tompkins from Global Payments shared strategies on optimizing POS systems to improve operational efficiency. Amber Belmore of inKind discussed innovative guest acquisition programs that help restaurants build customer loyalty. At the same time, Ryan Layne from LP Enterprises highlighted consulting services designed to guide operators through expansion and growth phases. These partners play a crucial role in helping restaurants streamline operations, reduce costs, and position themselves for long-term success.
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.
