For more than 50 years, Robert Sanderson, CEO & Managing Member of 2B Hospitality, has been building businesses, developing hospitality experiences, and learning what it takes to create successful restaurants. Today, he continues that journey as owner of BellaBrava. This contemporary Italian-inspired restaurant group has grown from its St. Petersburg roots into a growing presence across the Tampa Bay area.
Sanderson and his team recently welcomed members of Tampa’s restaurant community to BellaBrava’s Tampa location — 1015 Gramercy Lane — as the host venue for What Now Media Group’s Accelerate event.
The event featured more than two dozen representatives from restaurants and hospitality businesses across the region. Attendees, ranging from local restaurateurs, operators, and hospitality professionals, connected over refreshments and participated in networking conversations about sustainable scaling operations, navigating industry challenges, and strategies for long-term growth.
Long-term growth is something Sanderson knows all too well about. He has over five decades of business ownership experience, and his restaurant journey began when exploring the Italian countryside. That led to BellaBrava’s 2005 debut.
“We were thinking about opening a pizza restaurant, based on travels to Tuscany. When a complete restaurant came on the market, we bought it and turned it into the first BellaBrava,” Sanderson told What Now Tampa in an exclusive interview.
Inspired by the flavors and atmosphere of Italy, BellaBrava was designed as a casual trattoria-style restaurant that blends traditional Italian influences with modern touches. The concept focuses on fresh, scratch-made offerings, including housemade pasta, pizza dough, and focaccia prepared in-house daily in Woodstone ovens.
Its menu features Italian classics alongside contemporary dishes, with offerings ranging from stone-fired pizzas and handmade pastas to seafood, cocktails, and an extensive wine selection.
After opening two restaurants in St. Petersburg, Sanderson and his team decided to expand into Tampa as part of the brand’s continued growth. The expansion has allowed BellaBrava to reach new communities, while maintaining the approachable dining experience that helped establish the concept.
“Having sufficient capital, both financial and human, to keep with the business through growing pains,” is one of the biggest challenges Sanderson said comes with opening and growing a restaurant business. Despite those challenges, he said the most rewarding part of owning restaurants is “working with and serving people.”
“Running a restaurant group is challenging but rewarding,” he added.
The BellaBrava team continues to grow throughout the Tampa Bay region. The company recently completed openings for BellaBrava Bexley and Stillwaters Tavern Bexley in Land O’ Lakes.
Stillwaters launched in downtown St. Petersburg over 10 years ago, and Sanderson has expanded that concept alongside the BellaBrava growth efforts. The concept is a scratch kitchen and bar focused on modern American tavern fare, including seafood, burgers, steaks, and seasonal dishes.
Looking ahead, Sanderson plans to continue growing while staying focused on the fundamentals that have guided his career: creating quality experiences, supporting employees, and serving guests. While specific plans are under wraps, the community can be sure that bright things are on the horizon for the brands.
