Jeremy Nichols, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Hospitality
Location: Florida – South & Central
Division: Restaurant
Location: Florida – South
Jeremy Nichols
Florida Franchise Owner, Gecko Hospitality
Hospitality & Restaurant Executive Search | Florida
Phone: (813) 802-9605 | Email: jeremy@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremycnichols/
Credentials: CPC
About Jeremy
Jeremy Nichols has spent 25 years in hospitality recruiting and 17 years before that inside hospitality HR, finishing his corporate career as a Director of Talent Acquisition. Since 2018, he has owned and operated the Florida franchise of Gecko Hospitality, placing permanent leadership talent, general managers, executive chefs, directors, and C-suite, exclusively across Florida’s independent restaurants, boutique and luxury hotels, hotel management companies, and private clubs.
Jeremy stays close to the Florida hospitality community beyond the talent search. He co-hosts Checkin’ In, the hospitality and tourism podcast with Dr. Peter Ricci of Florida Atlantic University, writes The Florida Hospitality Brief, a biweekly LinkedIn newsletter covering the leadership and hiring issues operators are dealing with in real time, and runs a YouTube channel focused on helping hospitality professionals navigate the candidate experience.
Background & Experience
Jeremy started in recruiting in 2000 with H&M in New York before moving into hospitality, joining Covelli Enterprises, the largest Panera Bread franchisee in the country, as Director of Recruiting in 2008. He took ownership of the Florida franchise of Gecko Hospitality in 2018 and has built his practice around Florida hospitality leadership ever since.
Areas of Focus
Positions: Hospitality and Restaurant Leadership (Operations, Culinary and C-Suite)
Markets served: Florida.
How Jeremy Evaluates Talent
I try to look past the resume to whether someone can actually run the operation in front of them. Hard skills like P&L matter, but so does how they got there, their growth trajectory versus a system they inherited or just walked into. I want to see real retention numbers, not just a title. Team size and structure tell me if they’ve led people or just managed a schedule. I care about concept and culture fit specifically: a GM who thrived in a branded property doesn’t always survive in an independent one, and vice versa. And I want evidence of how they operate under real pressure, a bad month, a walkout, a turnaround, not the polished version they give in an interview.
Jeremy’s Market Perspective
Florida hospitality hiring is tighter than any headline suggests. Tourism demand is still strong and development hasn’t slowed, but the leadership talent pool hasn’t kept pace, especially at the GM and executive chef level. I’m hearing the same thing from operators across the state: fewer qualified applicants, longer time to fill, more counteroffers being accepted. Add to this the uncertainty in the US economy, which is making many want to stay and cling to their current job. The leaders worth hiring are already employed and not looking, which means the job boards are producing volume, not quality. That gap is real and it’s widening.
Advice
For employers: Have real clarity on why the seat is open, what’s worked in the past, and what success looks like at 90 days. That intake conversation is where most searches either get it right or waste three months.
For candidates: Come ready to talk in specifics, not generalities: real numbers on covers, cost lines, retention, and team size. The candidates who stand out are the ones who can walk me through what they actually did, not what their title says they were responsible for.
In Jeremy’s Words
“I spent 17 years in internal hospitality talent acquisition before I ever recruited third-party for an agency. That’s the difference. I’m not matching keywords, I’m reading whether someone can actually run your floor, your kitchen, or your club.”
Testimonials
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jeremy for over ten years, and in that time he has consistently gone above and beyond. Jeremy is incredibly thorough, professional, and dedicated to finding the right fit, not just for the position but for the culture and long-term success of the team. What sets Jeremy apart is his genuine commitment to understanding his clients’ needs and building lasting relationships. I couldn’t recommend him more highly.”
Emily Viviano Roeckle, PHR (Client, Director of People & Culture, Hunters Run Country Club)
“If I have any jobs to post as a hospitality and tourism employer in Florida, there’s no other choice. Jeremy tries harder than others, is the most honest, and is authentic in what he does day in and day out. He is the utmost professional; ask for something via email, phone, or text and the response is always faster than expected. The traits and characteristics he possesses are, unfortunately, rare in today’s world, yet needed now more than ever.”
Peter Ricci (Client, Hospitality & Tourism Management Director, Florida Atlantic University)
“After having difficulty finding the right fit for our Director of Food & Beverage position, I reached out to Jeremy. He was very responsive and professional, and requested a meeting to come to our club, meet key players, and tour our facilities. He left with a clear understanding of what we needed because the stream of applicants opened immediately. If you are considering using Jeremy, take the time to meet with him personally. You will be happy you did.”
Matthew Linderman, CCM, ECM (Client, President, COO & GM, Boca West Country Club)
Jeremy Nichols, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Hospitality
Location: Florida – South & Central
Division: Restaurant
Location: Florida – South
Jeremy Nichols
Florida Franchise Owner, Gecko Hospitality
Hospitality & Restaurant Executive Search | Florida
Phone: (813) 802-9605 | Email: jeremy@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremycnichols/
Credentials: CPC
About Jeremy
Jeremy Nichols has spent 25 years in hospitality recruiting and 17 years before that inside hospitality HR, finishing his corporate career as a Director of Talent Acquisition. Since 2018, he has owned and operated the Florida franchise of Gecko Hospitality, placing permanent leadership talent, general managers, executive chefs, directors, and C-suite, exclusively across Florida’s independent restaurants, boutique and luxury hotels, hotel management companies, and private clubs.
Jeremy stays close to the Florida hospitality community beyond the talent search. He co-hosts Checkin’ In, the hospitality and tourism podcast with Dr. Peter Ricci of Florida Atlantic University, writes The Florida Hospitality Brief, a biweekly LinkedIn newsletter covering the leadership and hiring issues operators are dealing with in real time, and runs a YouTube channel focused on helping hospitality professionals navigate the candidate experience.
Background & Experience
Jeremy started in recruiting in 2000 with H&M in New York before moving into hospitality, joining Covelli Enterprises, the largest Panera Bread franchisee in the country, as Director of Recruiting in 2008. He took ownership of the Florida franchise of Gecko Hospitality in 2018 and has built his practice around Florida hospitality leadership ever since.
Areas of Focus
Positions: Hospitality and Restaurant Leadership (Operations, Culinary and C-Suite)
Markets served: Florida.
How Jeremy Evaluates Talent
I try to look past the resume to whether someone can actually run the operation in front of them. Hard skills like P&L matter, but so does how they got there, their growth trajectory versus a system they inherited or just walked into. I want to see real retention numbers, not just a title. Team size and structure tell me if they’ve led people or just managed a schedule. I care about concept and culture fit specifically: a GM who thrived in a branded property doesn’t always survive in an independent one, and vice versa. And I want evidence of how they operate under real pressure, a bad month, a walkout, a turnaround, not the polished version they give in an interview.
Jeremy’s Market Perspective
Florida hospitality hiring is tighter than any headline suggests. Tourism demand is still strong and development hasn’t slowed, but the leadership talent pool hasn’t kept pace, especially at the GM and executive chef level. I’m hearing the same thing from operators across the state: fewer qualified applicants, longer time to fill, more counteroffers being accepted. Add to this the uncertainty in the US economy, which is making many want to stay and cling to their current job. The leaders worth hiring are already employed and not looking, which means the job boards are producing volume, not quality. That gap is real and it’s widening.
Advice
For employers: Have real clarity on why the seat is open, what’s worked in the past, and what success looks like at 90 days. That intake conversation is where most searches either get it right or waste three months.
For candidates: Come ready to talk in specifics, not generalities: real numbers on covers, cost lines, retention, and team size. The candidates who stand out are the ones who can walk me through what they actually did, not what their title says they were responsible for.
In Jeremy’s Words
“I spent 17 years in internal hospitality talent acquisition before I ever recruited third-party for an agency. That’s the difference. I’m not matching keywords, I’m reading whether someone can actually run your floor, your kitchen, or your club.”
Testimonials
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jeremy for over ten years, and in that time he has consistently gone above and beyond. Jeremy is incredibly thorough, professional, and dedicated to finding the right fit, not just for the position but for the culture and long-term success of the team. What sets Jeremy apart is his genuine commitment to understanding his clients’ needs and building lasting relationships. I couldn’t recommend him more highly.”
Emily Viviano Roeckle, PHR (Client, Director of People & Culture, Hunters Run Country Club)
“If I have any jobs to post as a hospitality and tourism employer in Florida, there’s no other choice. Jeremy tries harder than others, is the most honest, and is authentic in what he does day in and day out. He is the utmost professional; ask for something via email, phone, or text and the response is always faster than expected. The traits and characteristics he possesses are, unfortunately, rare in today’s world, yet needed now more than ever.”
Peter Ricci (Client, Hospitality & Tourism Management Director, Florida Atlantic University)
“After having difficulty finding the right fit for our Director of Food & Beverage position, I reached out to Jeremy. He was very responsive and professional, and requested a meeting to come to our club, meet key players, and tour our facilities. He left with a clear understanding of what we needed because the stream of applicants opened immediately. If you are considering using Jeremy, take the time to meet with him personally. You will be happy you did.”
Matthew Linderman, CCM, ECM (Client, President, COO & GM, Boca West Country Club)