~Hall of Fame Tribute Video Released~
(L-R: FRLA Restaurateur of the Year Richard Gonzmart, FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover, FRLA 2026 Chairman of the Board Greg Cook)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – At the 2026 Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) named Richard Gonzmart its Restaurateur of the Year, recognizing his longstanding contributions to Florida’s hospitality industry and his commitment to strengthening the communities he serves. As the fourth-generation caretaker of Tampa’s iconic Columbia Restaurant and a respected industry leader known for championing Florida’s culinary traditions and fostering meaningful connections through hospitality, Gonzmart was honored during the ceremony held in Clearwater Beach.
“Richard Gonzmart embodies the very best of Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. “Through his leadership, he has carried forward a remarkable family legacy while building on it in ways that celebrate our state’s history, culture, and culinary traditions. But what truly distinguishes Richard is his belief that hospitality extends FAR beyond the restaurant; it’s about giving back, creating opportunities for others, and bringing people together. His impact on our industry and his community will be felt for generations, and we are proud to recognize him as our Restaurateur of the Year.”
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.
“My father, Cesar Gonzmart, in 1995 was posthumously inducted into the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Hall of Fame three years after his death, said Richard Gonzmart, Chairman of Columbia Restaurant Group. “Now, 31 years later, the FRLA has honored me as the Restaurateur of the Year and inducted me into the FRLA Hall of Fame. I would not have been able to achieve what I have accomplished without the guidance of my grandfather, Casimiro Hernandez, Jr., mother and father, Adela Hernandez Gonzmart and Cesar Gonzmart, all the staff and members of the 1905 Family Of Restaurants, my daughter Andrea Gonzmart and especially my wife of 53 years, Melanie, who has stood beside me through all the ups and downs, the days of working morning, afternoon and nights, six days a week.”
Richard Gonzmart, a fourth-generation caretaker of Tampa’s iconic Columbia Restaurant and leader of the 1905 Family of Restaurants, has dedicated his life to Florida’s hospitality industry. Founded in 1905, the Columbia is Florida’s oldest restaurant and has remained family-owned and operated for more than 120 years. Under Richard’s leadership, the Columbia family expanded from two locations to seven, while he developed additional concepts including Ulele, Cha Cha Coconuts, and Casa Santo Stefano, celebrating Florida’s culinary heritage and diverse cultures.
Beyond his restaurant achievements, Richard is deeply committed to philanthropy, education, and community service. In 1988, he established the Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest program, which has contributed more than $4.8 million to Florida nonprofits. His fundraising efforts have also generated millions of dollars for Moffitt Cancer Center, while his longstanding support of the University of South Florida has helped provide scholarships and educational opportunities for generations of students. His contributions to hospitality and community leadership have earned him induction into multiple halls of fame, including the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame and the Distinguished Restaurants of North America Hall of Fame.
To learn more about Richard Gonzmart and his impact on the industry and community, please watch the FRLA Hall of Fame Video here.
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 20,000 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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