The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) is recognizing a longtime Sarasota restaurateur with lifetime honors.
The FRLA named Dick Rivera the Lifetime Achievement Award winner for 2025. With that acknowledgement, he was inducted into the FRLA Hall of Fame.
Rivera was bestowed the honors at the FRLA Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala ceremony recently held at the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin.
Rivera has more than five decades of experience in the hospitality industry in the Sunshine State and has been at the forefront of several developments in the industry. He’s the founder of Suncoast Hospitality Partners LLC. The company, started in Sarasota, went on to launch ventures such as TGI Fridays, Clasico Italian Chophouse, Brick’s Smoked Meats and others.
Rivera had an affiliated company called Rubicon Enterprises that operates another 26 restaurants across America.
“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. 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,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the FRLA.
“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.”
Rivera acknowledged he was overwhelmed by the honors.
“I’m so humbled to receive this award; it’s an incredible honor for a lifetime of work,” Rivera 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.”
