Last year, award-winning local restaurateur Sam Fox opened the doors to The Global Ambassador, a culinary-focused hotel boasting five separate eateries, each inspired by the Arizona native’s extensive travels. But he is not the only local restaurateur making headlines. Fox is joined by a growing number of innovative, veteran entrepreneurs focused on changing the way Arizonans sip and savor.
All the way back in 1998, Wally Collins founded Wally’s Pub ‘n’ Grill. Still in operation and owned by his son Matthew, the restaurateur also birthed a concept mastermind in his son, Christopher Collins. The talented chef launched Common Ground Culinary in 2011, which owns and operates Grassroots Kitchen & Tap, Collins Brothers Public House, The Collins Small Batch Kitchen, The Macintosh, Sweet Provisions, The Neighborly, Arcadia Catering Company, and most recently, Saint Urban. Opened in late 2024 in Scottsdale, it celebrates West Coast–inspired shareable cuisine and eclectic wines.
Another gem: In 2001, a hip indoor-outdoor wine bar called Postino—named for the Italian word for postman because the venue was located in a one-time post office—opened in Arcadia and changed the landscape of an entire neighborhood. While no longer a post office, the small-but-mighty location delivered night after night, growing a faithful following. Its success led to the creation of Upward Projects by Lauren Bailey and Crag DeMarco in 2008 and a vision to take vacant or historically relevant buildings in town and reinvent them into restaurants and bars. In the years since, Postino has grown to more than 35 locations nationwide. Upward is also behind Windsor, Churn, Federal Pizza, and Joyride Taco House.
In the early 2000s, two other food-focused fellows came to town in Michael Nelson and Dan Chaon.
Nelson was a franchise guy, at first focused on Carl’s Jr. with his brother before helping grow Subway restaurants of Arizona to one of the state’s leading food businesses as president of the locally owned development group. He would then take on Wingstop, helping put it in on the map, before founding Craveable Brands in the early 2020s, focused on opening Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop, with an eye to take them nationwide. Chaon also got his Arizona start with a big brand in Chili’s. During his tenure, he helped grow the brand to more than 150 locations across the Southwest before he moved on to the Native New Yorker to help the locally owned brand transition to Native Grill & Wings. And now? Like Nelson, he has launched his own vision in Sneakybird, a fast-casual concept that uses custom-made ovens and a mouthwatering combination of ingredients to make never-ever fried chicken sandwiches, wraps, tenders, and wings. Though he only opened his first location in Scottsdale in December 2022, he has already grown it to include sister locations across the Southeast and West areas of Metro Phoenix, and he recently opened shop in the heart of Arcadia.
Beyond these enterprising entrepreneurs of all things edible, there are also Genuine Concepts, Square One Concepts, and the unstoppable Sheila Bryson.
Genuine Concepts was founded by Tucker Woodbury and Jim Riley in 2006 and started with The VIG, a neighborhood-defining hangout in Arcadia that has grown to five locations Valleywide. The duo are also the brains behind The Womack, The Little Woody, Campo Italian, and a soon-to-launch concept in Flagstaff.
S. Barrett Rinzler and Square One Concepts are to thank for Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers, which was founded in North Scottsdale in 2011 and has grown to 18 delicious locales in Arizona. The success led Rinzler to continue innovating. Square One Concepts also owns and operates Bourbon & Bones Chophouse, Wasted Grain and Old Town Ski Lodge, Famous 48, and also Nook Kitchen with Blue Print Hospitality.
And Sheila Bryson? This enterprising chef has long been associated with quality-first concepts thanks to the success of Soul Café, Vic & Ola’s, and ALMA, all in Scottsdale. In more recent years, she has expanded her portfolio, also opening Pescada and Little Snitch Brunch & Cocktails in Scottsdale.
In more recent years, Sheila Bryson has expanded her portfolio, also opening Pescada and Little Snitch Brunch & Cocktails in Scottsdale.