Mike Quillen, a Sarasota-based restaurateur and President of Watershed Hospitality Concepts, Gecko’s Hospitality Group, and Cashiers Restaurant Holdings, has been named the 2025 Restaurateur of the Year by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA). The announcement was made at the 2025 Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala held at Henderson Beach Resort in Destin. With this recognition, Quillen was also inducted into the FRLA Hall of Fame.
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 annual gala recognizes restaurant and lodging operators as well as suppliers from across Florida for their achievements in hospitality. The Hall of Fame distinction is given to leaders whose long-term service has significantly influenced Florida’s hospitality sector.
Quillen commented on receiving this honor: “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 opening Gecko’s Grill & Pub in Sarasota in 1992, Quillen has expanded his operations to include 15 locations across Florida and North Carolina under several brands such as Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, Cask & Ale, Pie on Main, Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar, and Micas Mountain Kitchen. He leads more than 800 employees with a focus on low management turnover through hands-on leadership emphasizing internal promotion.
Quillen’s experience spans corporate chains as well as family-owned establishments. Under his leadership his restaurants have received multiple guest awards including five consecutive National Restaurant Association Florida Restaurant Neighbor Awards as well as national recognition in 2017. He personally received four consecutive Cornerstone Humanitarian Awards from FRLA.
In addition to managing restaurant groups Quillen serves on several boards including those for FRLA itself; Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; Argus Foundation; Selby Gardens; Visit Sarasota County; and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation. He is a graduate of Leadership Florida with academic backgrounds from New College (History/Political Science) and State College of Florida where he attended on a tennis scholarship.
The FRLA represents more than 10,000 members statewide ranging from independent hotels/restaurants to major franchises—its mission centers around protecting promoting educating—and advocating for interests within Florida’s $112 billion hospitality industry which employs two million people statewide.
