Running a restaurant has never been easy. Independent operators face rising costs, tight margins, staffing challenges, and countless demands on their time and resources. Yet even in the midst of those realities, many restaurant owners continue looking for ways to support the communities around them. Few exemplify that better than Billy Kramer, owner and operator of NFA … [Read more...] about How NFA Burger is Creating a Lasting Impact for Food Service Workers
Featured Post - Profiles
Rising Stars 2026: Remy Loet
As Senior Sommelier at Aria, Remy Loet brings heart and hospitality to everything he does. A first-generation Cambodian-American, Loet says his background really shapes how he approaches hospitality. “Gratitude, generosity and creating a sense of belonging are at the core of everything I do.” That sense of belonging is one he finds through exploring wine with other wine … [Read more...] about Rising Stars 2026: Remy Loet
Rising Stars 2026: Austin Goetzman
Before he ever touched a knife, Executive Chef Austin Goetzman stood at a sink. He was a dishwasher, watching the line, and what he saw changed the direction of his life. The heat, the noise, the controlled chaos of a kitchen mid-service. It did not intimidate him. It gave him a sense of direction. “It was very sports like; it’s competitive,” Goetzman recalls. “When service … [Read more...] about Rising Stars 2026: Austin Goetzman
Rising Stars 2026: Frank Fodor
While studying chemistry and business at Mercer University, Frank Fodor was known for one thing outside the classroom: making food for his whole fraternity. He was the tailgate cook and his friends would always compliment on his food. And, while he nodded at the compliments, he didn't take them too seriously. Cooking was something he enjoyed, something he thought he was good … [Read more...] about Rising Stars 2026: Frank Fodor
Rising Stars 2026: Michaela Finlayson
“Combining a clear hospitality ethos with the professional grit of a seasoned executive, Michaela Finlayson embodies the future of the restaurant industry. She is a powerhouse of integrity, a relentless developer of people and undeniably a Rising Star,” according to her nominator Doug Warner, Chief Solutions Officer for Your 3rd Spot. “What truly sets Mich apart is her … [Read more...] about Rising Stars 2026: Michaela Finlayson
Justin Anthony: Restaurateur, South African and Passionate Soccer Fan
There is no doubt that Atlantans are excited to welcome the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the city this summer. Restaurateurs are some of the most excited, given the potential revenue the event will generate for the hospitality industry here. But imagine being an Atlanta restaurateur who also happens to be a former professional soccer player AND a native of a country playing a group … [Read more...] about Justin Anthony: Restaurateur, South African and Passionate Soccer Fan
Southern Hospitality is a Woman’s Game
March is Women’s History Month, but when it comes to the Georgia hospitality industry, you might say that women are the future. While it’s true that hospitality in the South was originally built upon the work of women, and more specifically Black women, the credit, the recognition and the positions of stature within professional restaurants have long been reserved for … [Read more...] about Southern Hospitality is a Woman’s Game
How Do You Define a Successful Restaurant?
“I wish we built houses,” my partner grumbled to me at the end of a long day. Table & Main was in its fifth week open, and we were still fighting nightly fires while struggling to appear upbeat and in charge. “Why’s that?” I replied, exhausted. “Because if we built houses we could stand back a few months later and say, ‘Hey, everyone, look at this house I built.’ Then … [Read more...] about How Do You Define a Successful Restaurant?
