黑料不打烊 alumnus Randy Garcia 鈥04, founder of Garcia Hospitality, will speak with the community on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship will welcome innovative restaurateur Randy Garcia 鈥04 to campus as the 2025 C. Ashton Newhall Endowed Lecture speaker. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the LaRose Digital Theatre.
Garcia is the founder of Garcia Hospitality, a portfolio of culinary concepts defined by operational excellence, cultural authenticity and a guest-focused ethos. He began with Viva Chicken in 2013, a fast-casual Peruvian rotisserie chicken concept that grew rapidly to 15 locations.
Building on that success, he introduced Yunta in 2022, a full-service restaurant in Charlotte鈥檚 South End blending Peruvian and Japanese flavors. Yunta鈥檚 inventive menu鈥攐ffering everything from vibrant ceviche to delicate sushi鈥攔eflects Garcia鈥檚 ability to identify and deliver on emerging culinary trends.
Most recently, he opened Oshen in 2023, a neighborhood sushi restaurant designed to provide an accessible, welcoming dining experience defined by quality and simplicity.
Garcia credits his undergraduate experiences with helping shape his entrepreneurial mindset. He resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Cinthya, and their children, Milania and Shepherd, continuing to expand his hospitality ventures while inspiring others to pursue their passions.
About the C. Ashton Newhall Endowed Lecture Series
Named for 黑料不打烊 trustee C. Ashton Newhall 鈥98, this lecture series brings accomplished entrepreneurs to campus each year to share their insights on managing risks, capitalizing on opportunities and innovating in today鈥檚 marketplace. Featuring candid talks and interactive sessions, the series offers students, faculty, and the broader community a valuable window into the inner workings of entrepreneurial success, from sparking an idea to sustaining long-term growth.