A variety of Nashville restaurateurs and food and beverage professionals gathered on July 23 for an “Accelerate” event hosted by What Now Media Group at Common Ground – Sylvan Park. The event offered a dynamic opportunity for the city’s growing hospitality community to exchange ideas and connect over shared challenges and opportunities in today’s rapidly evolving restaurant landscape.
Common Ground, a lively neighborhood restaurant located at 345 40th Ave N. in Nashville’s Sylvan Park, hosted a complimentary gathering that brought together more than two dozen representatives from restaurants featured on What Now Nashville. In addition to local restaurant owners and operators, several experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners attended to offer professional insights. Guests enjoyed refreshments and conversation before diving into a group presentation on growth strategies and operational best practices.
The evening was led by Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, who welcomed attendees and introduced the discussion topics. Among the restaurateurs in attendance was Matthew Ramos, co-owner and founder of Common Ground, the neighborhood gathering place known for its welcoming atmosphere and locally inspired dishes.
Jesse Alvarez and Anthony Vendramin, co-franchisees of Buona Beef / Rainbow Cone, were on hand to share updates on their expansion efforts as they prepare for the opening of a second Nashville-area location of the beloved Chicago-based brand.
Also in attendance was Pamela Chaudhury, owner of Chaipolitan, a tea-forward cafe concept that celebrates Indian flavors and traditions through a modern lens. Kevin Jackson, co-owner of Hometeam Pizza, discussed the restaurant’s plans for its flagship location and its focus on delivering high-quality, handcrafted pies to Nashville diners.
From the nightlife scene, Dean Marsh and Erika Skiles of Pikeld Concepts, owners of Demure Cocktail Lounge, offered a look at their upcoming Germantown speakeasy, which promises a moody, upscale cocktail experience. Meanwhile, Ollie Gabriel and Cory Mason of Aura Lounge discussed the venue’s forthcoming debut in Wedgewood-Houston, blending nightlife, entertainment, and hospitality into a single concept.
Other restaurateurs included Leshea White, manager of ROASTED @ FLAVORS 90S BAR, and Luke Watson, co-founder of Third Coast Comedy, Nashville’s beloved improv and stand-up venue. Gracey Strevel and Andrew Ashburn of Party Fowl also attended, sharing updates as the hot chicken chain undergoes a rebranding and restructuring under new leadership.
The event also brought together more than a dozen Preferred Partners from What Now Media Group’s network, all offering services designed to help restaurants thrive. From Ecolab Pest Elimination, Trenton Flora and Kevin McGrew provided insight into proactive pest control strategies tailored to the foodservice industry.
Jason Ortiz of Global Payments – Genius POS provided attendees with information on streamlined payment systems and restaurant-specific point-of-sale solutions. Representing Heartland, Ashley Pack discussed tools for payroll and team management designed specifically for hospitality operations.
Vicki Schmidt and Sam Wigger of Ortale Kelley were on hand to discuss restaurant licensing and legal compliance, a critical factor for new and expanding concepts. Meanwhile, Nathan Wornica from Our Town America showcased how direct mail marketing can help restaurants reach new movers and build lasting local customer bases.
Additional representatives from REED Public Relations and SpotOn joined the conversation to discuss the importance of media outreach and POS technology in today’s competitive hospitality market. With expert knowledge and tailored solutions, these partners played a key role in supporting Nashville’s restaurant operators.
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 Nashville 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.
