L-R: FRLA 2025 Chairman of the Board Nick Sarra, FRLA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Dick Rivera, FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association has announced longtime Sarasota restaurateur Dick Rivera as the 2025 FRLA Lifetime Achievement Award winner. With his win, Rivera was inducted into the FRLA Hall of Fame during a recent Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala ceremony, which was held at the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin.
“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,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. “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 Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala pays tribute to restaurant and lodging operators and suppliers from across the Sunshine State for their remarkable work in hospitality. The Hall of Fame distinction is reserved for visionary leaders whose decades of service, dedication, and passion have left a lasting impact on Florida’s hospitality industry. At the event, the FRLA Hotelier, Restaurateur, and Supplier of the Year awards were also given.
“I’m so humbled to receive this award; it’s an incredible honor for a lifetime of work,” said Dick Rivera, 2025 FRLA Lifetime Achievement Award winner, during his acceptance speech. “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.”
To learn more about Dick Rivera and his path to the Hall of Fame, please watch the FRLA Hall of Fame Video here.
Dick Rivera, Suncoast Hospitality Partners, Sarasota
Dick Rivera is a distinguished leader of the restaurant industry with more than 50 years of experience driving growth and innovation. He founded Suncoast Hospitality Partners LLC, a Sarasota-based development and management company with ventures including Vin Cella, TGI Friday’s, Marlow’s Tavern, Brick’s Smoked Meats, and Clasico Italian Chophouse. His affiliated company Rubicon Enterprises owns and/or operates 26 restaurants nationwide.
Rivera began his career with Steak and Ale Restaurants of America and went on to hold senior executive roles with leading brands such as Darden Restaurants, Longhorn Steakhouse, TGI Friday’s, Inc., Applebee’s, and El Chico Corp.
His achievements have earned widespread recognition, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ “Golden Chain” award, the “Restaurant Business Leadership Award,” the prestigious Silver Plate from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, and FIU’s Michael E. Hurst Hospitality Leadership Award. Rivera is deeply committed to service, serving on the boards of Golden Corral Corporation, Ringling College of Art and Design, and the Sarasota Orchestra. He is a past Chairman of the National Restaurant Association and Florida Citrus Sports Association and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University, an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University, and is a proud U.S. Army veteran.
About FRLA: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s nearly $112 billion hospitality industry and its two million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through Safe Staff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.
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