Travel–Tourism

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By Traci McMillan Beach
December 14, 2018

Sub chain CEO: 'I'll clean the worst restrooms'

Don Fox was recently in Tampa for a University of South Florida Muma College of Business “Conversation with a CEO” event. In an interview with the Business Observer, Fox talked about leadership, franchise best practices and connecting business with philan

Leadership

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By Brian Hartz
November 30, 2018

Smooth operator: Franchisee works the system to great success

U.S. Army veteran Emily Harrington has been a Tropical Smoothie Café franchisee for just a couple of years. She already owns five locations in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area and recently signed on to run eight more, in Pasco County.

Travel-Tourism

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By Brian Hartz
November 16, 2018

Economic forecast: Judah Longgrear, founder and CEO, The Nickel Ride

Judah Longgrear, founder and CEO of the The Nickel Ride, has seen big growth for the company in St. Petersburg, Florida, and looks ahead to expanding to Naples and Dunedin.

Travel-Tourism

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By Andrew Warfield
November 16, 2018

Economic Forecast: Zac Kearns, vice president, Kearns Restaurant Group

Zac Kearns sees rebound from off year for Kearns Restaurant Group because of green algae, red tide

Travel-Tourism

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By Brian Hartz
September 14, 2018

Second time around proves successful for restaurateur

Restaurant consultant Louie Spetrini didn't let his first, failed attempt at restaurant ownership stop him from pursuing excellence. Now his Nueva Cantina concept is a nascent chain, with locations in St. Petersburg, Tampa and, coming next year, Largo.

Travel-Tourism

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By Mark Gordon
July 27, 2018

Prominent business family perseveres through odds, obstacles

Richard Gonzmart he’s the fourth generation of his family to run Columbia, the oldest restaurant in Florida. In addition to the flagship Ybor City spot, which opened in 1905, there are six other Columbia Restaurant locations, from Sarasota to St. Augustin

Leadership

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By Ted Carter
July 6, 2018

Brothers expand successful restaurant business

Independent restaurant company D&D Restaurants, even in a market dominated by national chains, finds ways to stand out.

Travel-Tourism

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By Brian Hartz
June 1, 2018

A spark of innovation gets big results

Tampa marketing firm SPARK shares how it pulled off a big win for longtime client Visit Florida.

Travel-Tourism

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By Grier Ferguson
April 27, 2018

To stand out, hotel focuses on the arts

The newly opened Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota brands itself as an authentic arts experience. Will that translate to success in a crowded market?

Travel-Tourism

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By Beth Luberecki
April 13, 2018

Entrepreneur smells opportunity with sweet sauce

Necessity caused restaurateur Bob Overholser to innovate with products. Now he has another revenue stream.

Entrepreneurs

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By Brian Hartz
April 6, 2018

Paradise gained: Ad agency thriving under new owners

Replacing a star, especially in an ownership role, isn't for the weak-minded. A globetrotting power couple gives it a go, with strong results so far.

Travel-Tourism

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By Brian Hartz
March 30, 2018

Innkeeper makes history with an historic property

An innkeeper’s long list of up-at-night worries included a lousy air conditioning system. A rarely used government loan program provided a lifeline.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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By Brian Hartz
December 8, 2017

Law of Attraction

Four years after acquiring one of downtown Tampa's storied buildings, a pair of lawyers are chasing good-eats aspirations. Are they in for a dream ride or a kitchen nightmare?