A diverse group of Los Angeles restaurateurs and industry professionals gathered for an Accelerate event hosted by What Now Media Group at La Nena Cantina, a bold new concept from the Hospitality 70 Group, located at 6115 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 100. The event created a high-energy space for members of LA’s food and beverage scene to connect, share ideas, and build new partnerships.
La Nena Cantina hosted the complimentary event, which brought together over two dozen representatives from restaurants featured on What Now Los Angeles, along with industry professionals from What Now Media Group’s trusted network of Preferred Partners. Guests enjoyed an evening of curated bites and drinks while engaging in meaningful discussions centered on growth strategies, operational challenges, and the evolving hospitality landscape in LA.
Among the attendees were several notable restaurateurs actively expanding their concepts across the region. Myron Moore, director of operations for StormBurger, shared updates on the fast-casual brand’s expansion plans throughout the city. Mai Sakai, owner of Electric Bleu, represented the highly anticipated bistro from Chef Craig Hopson, which will bring French-influenced fare to West Hollywood.
Glenn Gordo, operations manager for Teofilo Coffee Company, attended on behalf of the vertically integrated cafe brand, which is making waves in Long Beach with its farm-to-cup approach. Also present were Andrew Cho and Chloe Poeppel of Poké House, who are helping expand the poke franchise’s footprint throughout Southern California.
Representing Nick the Greek were franchisees Niko Heliotis and Hany Ghatta, both working to introduce the beloved Greek street food chain to new markets in Los Angeles. Claire Reyes and Daniel Song of Mr. BBQ shared updates on their modern Korean barbecue concept, which is set to arrive soon in Universal City.
Other standout attendees included Santiago Parejo and Vincent Benoliel, the team behind Sora Handroll Bar, an upscale sushi handroll experience set to debut in Thousand Oaks. Members of the team from Wisteria Theater—including Renee Wylder, Lexi Collins, Shelby Miguel, and Joelle Tshudy—were also in attendance to connect with other entrepreneurs as they prepare to launch their bar and performance venue in North Hollywood.
The evening featured insights from a range of Preferred Partners who provide essential services to growing hospitality businesses. More than 10 partners attended the event, offering expert guidance and tailored solutions.
Angel Hueter and Jeremy Thompson from Easy Ice spoke with operators about affordable, full-service ice machine rental programs that eliminate the stress of repairs and maintenance. From Global Payments, Jack Martinez, Nico Rincon, and Oscar Acal presented state-of-the-art point-of-sale technology designed specifically for restaurant operations.
Vanessa Gaytan of Heartland discussed strategies for streamlining payroll, scheduling, and employee management. Joe Nunziata of Our Town America emphasized the power of direct-mail marketing to reach new movers and foster loyal customer bases. Also present was Wil Rodrigues of Playbook Advisors, who offered business consulting support for owners looking to scale responsibly and navigate financial planning with confidence.
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.
The event was led by What Now Media Group’s newest Event Manager, CJ Compton, who independently led her first Accelerate event following a week of mentorship alongside Director of Events and Partner Engagement Mariah Medley in Orange County and San Diego. While Mariah was not in attendance, What Now’s Founder and CEO, Caleb Spivak, was present to support CJ and connect with attendees, further strengthening What Now’s relationship with the Los Angeles restaurant community.
This event provided a valuable platform for restaurant owners and industry partners to collaborate, brainstorm, and establish new connections. It’s clear that the Los Angeles 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.
