Like it or not, the restaurant at the front of your building is your building’s brand. It is what passersby see, it is what your tenants visit daily. Why would you entrust your brand to someone else?
When the rent on that ground floor space is 2% of your rent-making but 80% of your place-making, you need to own and control what goes on there.
STHRN Hospitality Co was created by two firms with unique backgrounds in commercial real estate. Southern Culinary and Creative, a creative culinary event and experience agency and Revel, one of the leading destination retail developers in the country. Their respective principals saw an unmet need to provide turn-key solutions to building owners looking to create vibrant and hospitable places.
We do that by managing F+B for our clients. We work and understand your specific needs, help you create a plan for the development of operation of food services, then execute that plan and oversee all of the day-to-day operations on your behalf.
George Banks is a 24-year veteran of retail real estate with deep roots in food and beverage and experience-driven development. He has played a key role in shaping some of Atlanta’s most notable projects, including Atlanta Dairies, Larkin on Memorial, and Krog Street Market—the first food hall in the Southeast and still recognized among the best in the world. As both a principal and consultant, George has helped create and operate destination retail concepts that blend community, dining, and design. A frequent speaker and writer on urban development, adaptive reuse, and restaurant futures, he brings thought leadership to the evolving conversation around placemaking. Outside of work, George enjoys cooking for his wife and two daughters.
With more than two decades of experience, Elizabeth Feichter is known for her ability to lead complex projects and drive community-focused initiatives. She has built a career spanning event production, nonprofit support, corporate partnerships, and culinary program development—always with an eye toward strategic outcomes. Elizabeth has successfully managed large-scale events, high-level sponsorships, and multifaceted budgets, demonstrating a talent for both big-picture vision and detail-oriented execution. Colleagues value her natural leadership and her ability to unite teams around common goals. Her work reflects a commitment to creating meaningful experiences that strengthen communities and deliver measurable impact.
Kelly Campbell is a 25-year experiential marketing veteran who has led agencies and built award-winning teams for some of the world’s most iconic brands. Her career includes work across sports, entertainment, and culinary properties, where she has developed campaigns that merge creative vision with seamless execution. Known for her thoughtful approach and collaborative spirit, Kelly is a trusted partner and skilled negotiator who brings a unique perspective to brand partnerships. She has cultivated an extensive network of relationships by fostering trust, strategy, and long-term collaboration. Her ability to bridge agency, brand, and property perspectives makes her an invaluable asset to any team.
James Clark is a chef and restaurant operator with over 30 years of experience across fine dining, fast casual, and multi-unit operations. He spent more than 15 years in independent restaurants before scaling a three-unit fast-casual concept to more than 40 locations nationwide. Along the way, James oversaw culinary development, purchasing, kitchen design, and operations—earning recognition with the Nation’s Restaurant News Menu Masters Trendsetter Award. He has also worked with multi-unit operators to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance guest experiences. Today, James continues to contribute his expertise to concept creation and restaurant design across the country.
Marc Taft is an Atlanta-based chef, restaurateur, and hospitality executive with more than 20 years of experience leading food and beverage programs across the Southeast. He first gained recognition as the founder of Chicken and the Egg, a modern Southern farm-to-table concept that became a local favorite. Building on that success, he launched Southern Fried Hospitality, a consulting and management group specializing in concept development and operations. Marc is known for translating Southern traditions into approachable, elevated dining experiences while mentoring the next generation of chefs and hospitality leaders. Today, he continues this work with STHRN Hospitality, bringing distinctive restaurant and bar concepts to life in collaboration with real estate and development partners.
With over 20 years of experience in operations, sales, and hospitality, Ayana Stallings specializes in delivering exceptional client and guest experiences. Her career spans the corporate and private sectors, with a focus on events, consulting, and brand activations. Ayana is recognized for her ability to drive results through meticulous project management, sponsorship negotiations, and stakeholder alignment. Known for her attention to detail and user-first mindset, she consistently fosters seamless partnerships that support both client satisfaction and business growth. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ayana is passionate about family and travel, bringing energy and curiosity to everything she does.
Michaela Palovick is a marketing and brand strategist who specializes in shaping the cultural presence of hospitality brands. As Director of Marketing for STHRN Hospitality Co, she oversees social media strategy, digital campaigns, and experiential programming that connect people to restaurants, bars, and community venues. Previously, she founded Hello Media Co, a boutique agency where she developed content and storytelling strategies for lifestyle and hospitality clients. Michaela brings an entrepreneurial perspective in-house, building integrated frameworks that align social media, PR, and events into cohesive campaigns. With expertise in influencer partnerships, brand activations, and culture-driven marketing, she is passionate about creating experiences that resonate with audiences and neighborhoods alike.
