Mike Quillen, a Sarasota-based restaurateur, has been named the 2025 Restaurateur of the Year by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) and was inducted into the FRLA Hall of Fame at the recent Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala. The event took place at Henderson Beach Resort in Destin.
Quillen oversees 15 restaurants and bars across Florida and North Carolina as President of Watershed Hospitality Concepts, Gecko’s Hospitality Group, and Cashiers Restaurant Holdings. His leadership in hospitality spans over three decades.
Carol Dover, President and CEO of FRLA, said: “Mike Quillen represents the very best of Florida’s hospitality industry – visionary leadership, deep community engagement, and an unwavering passion for excellence. Mike’s legacy extends far beyond the success of his restaurants – it lives in the thousands of people he has mentored and the careers he has shaped. His dedication to training, empowering, and retaining great employees has set the standard for our entire industry, and his impact on Florida’s restaurant landscape has been extraordinary. We are proud to honor him as our 2025 Restaurateur of the Year and induct him into the FRLA Hall of Fame.”
The gala recognizes restaurant and lodging operators as well as suppliers from across Florida for their contributions to hospitality. The Hall of Fame distinction is reserved for those whose work has had a lasting effect on Florida’s hospitality sector.
Quillen commented: “I’m deeply honored to receive this award from the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, an organization that has played such a pivotal role in shaping the direction of my career and any success I’ve achieved along the way. I share this recognition with the incredible team members that I’ve had the privilege to work alongside of over the years. Our shared dedication, passion to hospitality, and hard work have made this possible, and I’m grateful to share this award with them.”
Since founding Gecko’s Grill & Pub in Sarasota in 1992, Quillen has expanded his operations to include several other concepts such as Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, Cask & Ale, Pie on Main, Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar, and Micas Mountain Kitchen. He employs more than 800 people and maintains low management turnover through a hands-on approach focused on community involvement and internal promotion.
Quillen’s experience includes working in corporate chains as well as family-owned businesses. He has received multiple guest awards for his establishments; notably winning both state-level and national Restaurant Neighbor Awards from the National Restaurant Association. He also received four consecutive Florida Cornerstone Humanitarian Awards.
Beyond running restaurants, Quillen serves on various boards including FRLA itself; local organizations such as Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; Argus Foundation; Selby Gardens; Visit Sarasota County; and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation. He is a Leadership Florida graduate who studied History and Political Science at New College after attending State College of Florida on a tennis scholarship.
FRLA is a non-profit trade association representing more than 10,000 members throughout Florida’s hospitality sector—including independent operators, franchises, theme parks, hotels and suppliers—working to promote an industry valued at nearly $112 billion annually with two million employees statewide. Founded in 1946 as Florida Restaurant Association before merging with another group in 2006,the organization provides advocacy, regulatory guidance including food safety training via Safe Staff programs,and educational support through its foundation.
For further information about Mike Quillen’s career or his restaurant concepts readers can view FRLA’s Hall of Fame video.
