Longtime Sarasota restaurateur Dick Rivera has been named the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award winner by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA). The announcement was made during the Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala at Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, where Rivera was also inducted into the FRLA Hall of Fame.
Carol Dover, President & CEO of FRLA, praised Rivera’s contributions to hospitality. “Dick Rivera is a true giant of our industry – a visionary whose leadership, integrity, and passion have shaped the future of hospitality in Florida and far beyond,” Dover said. “For more than five decades, Dick has elevated every organization he has touched, developing iconic brands, inspiring the next generation of leaders, and showing all of us what it means to serve with heart. His rare ability to combine operational excellence with genuine mentorship has earned him the admiration of peers across the industry. Dick’s impact is woven into the fabric of this industry, and his legacy will endure for generations. We are deeply honored to welcome Dick Rivera into the FRLA Hall of Fame as our 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.”
The gala honors restaurant and lodging operators and suppliers from across Florida for their achievements in hospitality. The Hall of Fame distinction recognizes leaders whose service and dedication have had a lasting effect on Florida’s hospitality sector. Other awards presented at the event included Hotelier, Restaurateur, and Supplier of the Year.
In his acceptance speech, Rivera expressed gratitude for being recognized by his colleagues. “I’m so humbled to receive this award; it’s an incredible honor for a lifetime of work,” he said. “To be awarded by your peers in the industry makes it even more special. The joy in this business comes from the people you serve, the people you work with, and the times you have with them. Success is never a solo act – there are a lot of people involved. Winston Churchill once said, ‘Success is never final,’ so getting this award raises the bar for me as I ask what’s next.”
Rivera leads Suncoast Hospitality Partners LLC in Sarasota and has over 50 years’ experience in restaurant management and development. He has worked with well-known brands such as TGI Friday’s, Marlow’s Tavern, Brick’s Smoked Meats, Clasico Italian Chophouse, Darden Restaurants, Longhorn Steakhouse, Applebee’s, El Chico Corp., and Steak and Ale Restaurants of America. Through Rubicon Enterprises—an affiliated company—he is involved in operating 26 restaurants nationwide.
His career includes recognition from Nation’s Restaurant News (“Golden Chain” award), Restaurant Business Leadership Award, International Foodservice Manufacturers Association Silver Plate Award, and FIU’s Michael E. Hurst Hospitality Leadership Award. Rivera serves on several boards including Golden Corral Corporation and Ringling College of Art and Design; he is also a past chairman of both the National Restaurant Association and Florida Citrus Sports Association.
Rivera holds degrees from Washington and Lee University (bachelor’s) and Johnson & Wales University (Honorary Doctorate), along with being a U.S. Army veteran.
The FRLA represents more than 10,000 members from hotels to theme parks throughout Florida. Its mission includes advocacy for its members’ interests as well as offering training programs such as Safe Staff through its subsidiary RCS Training.
