A diverse mix of Tempe restaurateurs and industry professionals came together on Tuesday, September 16, for What Now Media Group’s “Accelerate” event, hosted at Idle Hands, a cocktail bar located within Devil’s Hideaway at 401 S Mill Ave. The event provided an exclusive opportunity for Phoenix’s hospitality leaders to connect and share ideas on thriving in a rapidly evolving food and beverage market.
Idle Hands hosted the free event, bringing together over two dozen representatives from businesses featured on What Now Phoenix. This included local restaurants and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners. Attendees networked while enjoying signature cocktails before participating in a presentation focused on strategies for scaling in today’s competitive hospitality landscape.
The event was led by Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, and welcomed an impressive roster of local operators and culinary entrepreneurs.
Among the attendees was Julian Wright, CEO and founder of Fork & Dagger Hospitality, and David Calcaterra, operating partner of Idle Hands, a venue that reflects Tempe’s growing cocktail culture with its sleek, speakeasy-inspired aesthetic.
Representing La Lupita Taco & Mezcal, Paul Marrin, vice president of operations, shared insights into the brand’s Baja coastal-style concept, which recently debuted in Scottsdale with an emphasis on mezcal and scratch-made tacos.
Also in attendance were Brian, Leo, and Edson Madrigal of Cocina Madrigal/Centrico, longtime family-run favorites known for their award-winning Mexican dishes and recent food truck launch, as their storefront undergoes repairs.
TJ Tillman, owner of both Outcast Doughnuts and Incomparably Dope Ventures, attended the event to discuss his creative approach to branding and the upcoming expansion of his doughnut concept in Gilbert.
Franchisee Jennifer Dumphy of Parlor Doughnuts joined the conversation as the brand continues to grow its presence throughout the Phoenix metro with its craft doughnuts and coffee-driven cafés.
Also present was Namit Mangat, franchisee of both Moe’s Southwest Grill and Cinnabon Swirl, who shared his thoughts on site selection and scaling multiple fast-casual brands simultaneously.
Representing Pinard Wine Bar & Restaurant, Ashley Garbinski previewed the concept’s plan to introduce a refined wine-forward experience to North Scottsdale.
Rahul Sahota, owner of Tikka Drive, brought excitement around his upcoming launch, which will be the first Indian cuisine drive-thru in the state.
Jorge Gomez, co-owner of Humble Bistro / Humble Market, discussed the group’s growing footprint in Phoenix with its modern bistro offerings and hybrid café-market concept. Nathan Ares of Commoner & Co. / Prep and Pastry / Clare House Social also joined the event, representing the Ares Collective’s ongoing expansion across the Valley.
In addition to restaurant operators, several Preferred Partners from What Now Media Group’s trusted network were present to offer expert insights and resources tailored to the growth of the hospitality industry.
John Navarro of Easy Ice provided operators with strategies for reliable ice machine subscriptions that eliminate downtime and reduce maintenance costs. From Global Payments, Lawrence Chavez and Randall Bowers were on hand to showcase the Genius Point-of-Sale system, which helps streamline transactions and improve operational efficiency.
Melanie Butcher from Heartland shared payroll solutions that simplify team management and reduce administrative overhead for restaurateurs expanding their teams.
Susan Nagi of Our Town America spoke with guests about how direct mail marketing can effectively target new movers and boost foot traffic for local eateries. From Tagrisk LLC, Larry Anaya and Cameron Koch offered tailored insurance packages built to address the specific risks and regulations of the hospitality industry.
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 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 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.
Photo: Official
