A diverse mix of Los Angeles restaurateurs and industry professionals came together for an Accelerate event hosted by What Now Media Group on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Florentin Rooftop Bar, a Mediterranean-inspired bar in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. The rooftop venue served as an elevated backdrop for local hospitality leaders to connect, share insights, and strategize on thriving in today’s ever-changing restaurant landscape.
Florentin Rooftop Bar, located at 617 S Spring Street in the heart of Downtown LA and known for its speakeasy vibes and panoramic city views, hosted the free event, welcoming dozens of representatives from businesses featured on What Now Los Angeles. Guests from across the metro area mingled over curated bites and beverages before joining an in-depth discussion on building, growing, and sustaining success in a highly competitive market.
Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, hosted the event, which brought together a dynamic lineup of local restaurateurs, franchisees, and operators, each with unique stories and visions for growth.
Among the attendees was Prince Riley, co-owner of Joyce Soul & Sea, a modern soul food concept coming to South Grand Avenue, who is preparing to launch the brand’s first brick-and-mortar. Tima Bell, co-owner of Washington Square Pizza, a new Venice-based pizzeria concept combining artistic design with a fast-casual menu, was also in attendance.
Jon Rogan, co-owner of Beasties, shared plans for the brand’s Long Beach debut. The concept offers a Mexican-inspired twist on the Smashburger trend. Marsha Tekeste, owner of Harmony by Lavender Blue, attended alongside her general manager, Tebereh Tekeste, to discuss the upcoming Inglewood restaurant and lounge that fuses elevated cuisine with live music and nightlife.
Also present were Michael Grajewski and Travis Waiting of Lobster Guys, who are preparing to open the brand’s fourth Southern California location. Known for their coastal eats and casual seafood fare, the team emphasized their focus on customer experience and community partnerships.
Representing Toastique’s growing LA footprint, Mounir Ouaddi, Ali Ouaddi, and Charles Steynberg connected with other restaurateurs to discuss franchise opportunities for the popular gourmet toast and juice bar concept. Mayra Salman, a Nekter Juice Bar franchisee, also joined the conversation.
Other notable attendees included Laura Estrada, General Manager of Shor Bazaar, a contemporary Indian restaurant, and Carina Quintero, Director of Marketing at Cork and Batter, which is expanding its sports bar and elevated dining concept into new markets.
Several What Now Media Group’s Preferred Partners also attended, offering hands-on advice and resources to help attendees navigate growth and operational challenges. Over a dozen Preferred Partners were present, including point-of-sale specialists, insurance providers, HR consultants, and more.
Representing SpotOn, Jemimah Buerano and Brittani Baker shared how their POS and restaurant management system can streamline operations. Gene Rotondo, Larry Anaya, and Brian Kozlowski of Tagrisk offered insights on tailored insurance coverage.
From E HPS Heartland, Nicole Khodabandeh and Vanessa Gaytan discussed solutions for simplifying payroll and HR. Joe Nunziata of Our Town America introduced direct-mail programs for restaurants. Randy Winans and Steve Soto from Prudential Overall Supply discussed uniform and linen rental services for high-volume foodservice businesses.
The restaurant owners and Preferred Partners shared valuable insights and expert advice, creating an informative and engaging evening for all attendees.
Caleb Spivak, CEO and Founder of What Now Media Group, spoke on critical business points, including having an exit plan and managing operations post-expansion. The event fostered meaningful exchanges of tips, knowledge, and opportunities for collaboration.
This event served as a valuable platform for restaurant owners and partners to brainstorm, network, and forge new connections. What Now Media Group’s Accelerate events continue to foster innovation within the LA hospitality community.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news across 33 North American cities and delivers insights into soon-to-open establishments. Thousands of openings are covered annually across all cities.
The Preferred Partners network helps new businesses launch and supports growth for established ones.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events in 2025. For more details, visit the Accelerate page here.
Click here for a complete list of partners. To learn more about becoming a preferred partner, click here.
