Cooking up brand loyalty and the power of storytelling with Eleni Gates

December 18, 2025

Eleni founded Gates Hospitality Group, which handles brand building, corporate communications, public relations and more for restaurants and other businesses, earlier this year. She was previously head of investor relations and corporate communications for East Manatee County-based First Watch Restaurant Group. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Eleni talked about what she’s learned from some important hospitality mentors on company culture, motivating teams and more. They also talked about her big step in working for corporate brands to going out on her own and going back to school for her MBA.

3 Takeaways

(05:50) Be intentional about how you communicate with specific audiences
(16:00) A leader is never above any work in the organization
(17:00) Be a human, not the boss

Timestamps

(00:00) Introducing Eleni Gates, Founder and Principal, Gates Hospitality Group
(04:00) What is Gates Hospitality Group?
(06:15) Starting at First Watch
(08:20) Working for Chris Tomasso
(09:30) IPO-ing with First Watch
(13:00) Dealing with imposter syndrome
(14:30) Learning from Ken Pendery
(17:25) What is good leadership?
(19:00) Leadership advice
(20:30) Learning from her parents
(23:00) Storytelling in leadership
(24:20) Gates Hospitality Group in 2025

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