The Sunshine State is home to eight of the Top 100 Independents; last year, the count was six. Three of the highest-grossing restaurants in Florida are on Disney properties.
The Buzz: After the renovation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, Fulton’s was closed in in February 2016 for a six-month transformation into Paddlefish restaurant.
Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze also took home the prestigious G.D. Crain Jr. award for his contributions to business media over the course of his career.