Mike Quillen, a Sarasota-based restaurateur, was named the 2025 Restaurateur of the Year by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) at the annual Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala. The event, held at Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, also saw Quillen inducted into the FRLA Hall of Fame.
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 businesses include establishments such as Gecko’s Grill & Pub, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, Cask & Ale, Pie on Main, Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar, and Micas Mountain Kitchen. Since opening Gecko’s Grill & Pub in Sarasota in 1992, he has developed restaurant concepts that employ over 800 people.
Carol Dover, President and CEO of FRLA, stated: “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 Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala recognizes notable contributions from restaurant and lodging operators throughout Florida. The Hall of Fame distinction is reserved for individuals whose service and commitment have had a lasting influence on the state’s hospitality sector.
In response to receiving this recognition from FRLA, Quillen said: “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.”
Quillen is known for his hands-on management style focused on hospitality standards and internal promotions. He is classically trained across corporate, franchise, and family-owned restaurants. Under his leadership, his establishments have earned multiple guest awards including five consecutive National Restaurant Association Florida Restaurant Neighbor Awards as well as national recognition in 2017. Personally he received four consecutive Florida Cornerstone Humanitarian Awards.
Quillen serves on several boards including FRLA itself; Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; Argus Foundation; Selby Gardens; Visit Sarasota County; and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation.
The FRLA is a non-profit trade association representing more than 10,000 members statewide including independent hotels and restaurants as well as large franchises. Its mission includes legislative advocacy for its members’ interests while offering compliance support through food safety training programs such as Safe Staff via RCS Training. The organization also provides career-building high school programs through its Educational Foundation.
To learn more about Mike Quillen or view a video highlighting his career achievements visit the official FRLA website.
