The best independent restaurants are built on way more than just good food.
That’s why we’re bringing together @cheferickwilliams , @jasonhammel , @codib , and @corrie_wang at UTILITY for a conversation around community, support systems, and building something independently without trying to do it all yourself.
Moderated by @monicaengreporter . Presented by @spoton .
Kevin Hourican knows we exist. He just won’t say our name.
Take our 5-minute survey to give the FTC the evidence it needs to block this merger — and to tell Kevin exactly how restaurants actually run.
Link in bio.
Highlights from a month that went by in an flash 📸
⚾️ @phillies game with the best crew
🎉 Getting to be a tourist in my own city showing @codib philly
🥒 the pickle bar @hymiespa during lunch with my Dad
🍒 time with @axtran always time well spent
🥞 @goldendinerny pancakes reign supreme
🧀 @reganmaria with the epic @bigmozz cheese pull
🚢 cruise conference with @michymendelsohn
😲 surprising @djmanci with an unexpected hang
🌴 brief but necessary time poolside in Miami
🍕 annual NYC trip with Queen @peggypaulcasella
🍝 @midnightpastaco class and watching @natalialeporehagan absolutely shine and dazzle as the host with the most!!!!
Not pictured day date with @chayunfat saying hello to the art museum and goodbye to @fleursphilly and an amazing girls dinner during jubilee weekend with incredible women I absolutely adore!
Very grateful. Very tired. Very ready for birthday month 🎉
We can't wait to participate in UTILITY 2026!
Join us at Mae District in Chicago on Monday, May 18 at 12 pm to learn more about our work, and why it's never been more urgent to build community, and collective action.
🎟️ Visit @theutilityshow for tickets!
When independent restaurant owners raised legitimate concerns about the proposed Sysco acquisition of Restaurant Depot, a self-identified Sysco employee entered the conversation to dismiss them.
Now those comments are gone.
The concerns are not.
Join us in calling on the Federal Trade Commission to block this merger. Sign the Petition Today. Link in bio.
This isn’t just a merger. It’s a shift in who controls the food supply for independent restaurants and bars.
When competition disappears, prices rise—and small businesses pay the price. So do the communities that rely on them.
Add your name. Tell the Federal Trade Commission to block this deal. Link in bio.
Conversations like these with owners and operators from across the country, even in a Kansas college town Lawrence, are moving the restaurant industry forward.
Check out the newest episode with Codi Bates available now wherever you get your podcast.
Being independent shouldn’t mean being alone. Join the coalition of restaurants fighting for a brighter future for our industry.
🔗 Become a member today, link in bio.
Six years ago, independent restaurants and bars came together to solve a problem: the policies shaping our industry were being written without us.
That’s why the Independent Restaurant Coalition was created — and why this work matters more than ever.
Join us and special guests Molly Irani, Co-founder and Chief Culture Officer of the Chai Pani Restaurant Group and Bobby Stuckey, co-founder of Frasca Hospitality Group Tuesday, March 18 for a conversation about the challenges facing independent restaurants today, the policy work underway in 2026, and how you can be part of it.
Register at the link in bio.
It’s #internationalwomensday and I am grateful that I have too many women in my life to tag, post, admire, laugh with, cry with, do all the things always and celebrate today and every day. 💕❤️
Grateful for all the INCREDIBLE women in my life who inspire me always.
Additional tags (what a privilege that I couldn’t tag all)
@billiesima@s_lantz@julialeahbaum@emein29@baumenator@jennblat
