Craig Peden

Business: Craig Peden says any major business decisions he takes will be delayed until after the national elections in November. “I'm not doing anything until after the election,” Peden says. “That's going to steer me for where we're going to go.” Peden won't say which candidate he's backing, but he's holding off on plans to open four more Rib City barbecue restaurants from Tampa to Fort Myers until the election is resolved. That includes plans for two restaurants in Sarasota, one in Port Charlotte and another in Fort Myers. “I need to make sure that we're heading in the right direction economically,” he says. “It'll make me feel a little better.” Peden hopes to increase sales in 2013 after a flat year in 2012, but he says consumers remain cautious about spending. Rib City currently operates 13 corporate-owned restaurants and 16 franchises.