Wake Forest Athletics
Frank Scibelli – The Recipe for Success, Generosity and Legacy
6/3/2026 10:33:00 AM | General, Men's Golf
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- When you think of Charlotte's culinary scene, one name stands out: Frank Scibelli ('86, MBA '88, P '30). From a humble 39-seat Italian eatery, Mama Ricotta's, to a growing empire of restaurants spanning multiple cuisines, Scibelli has built a brand that's as much about community as it is about flavor. The story, however, doesn't stop at the dinner table. A proud Wake Forest alumnus, he brings that same passion and care to his support of Wake Forest Athletics, helping student-athletes chase their dreams with scholarships and opportunities that make a real difference.
Scibelli was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and attended Suffield Academy in Connecticut. When it came time to choose a college, his counselor suggested Wake Forest as an academically strong, close-knit option.
An avid golfer, Scibelli received an invitation to attend a summer golf camp at Wake Forest, an opportunity that would ultimately shape his future.
"From the day I stepped on campus, it just felt right," Scibelli noted. "The people, the environment, it was everything I was looking for."
It was then that Scibelli realized his connection to the campus and the community surrounding the Old Gold and Black. The friendships he formed and the experiences he gained made his decision feel effortless and lasting.
Initially pursuing a JD/MBA program, Scibelli soon discovered his passion for business outweighed his interest in law. After earning his MBA from Wake Forest, his consulting career took him to Tampa and eventually back to Charlotte. Still, something was missing.
"I got to a point where I had to figure out what I really wanted to do," he admitted. "I love the book Wishcraft. It advises you to 'do what you love.' I love food, and I kept coming back to it."
Do what you love. For Scibelli, that idea became a blueprint. Food has always been about more than what was on the plate. It is about connection, tradition and identity. For Scibelli, a meal is never just a meal; it's where stories are shared, relationships are built and moments turn into memories that last far longer than the last bite. Influenced by family traditions, travels and shared meals, he understood early on that food brings people together, sparks conversation and creates lasting memories. These beliefs would go on to define his approach to both business and hospitality.
With that mindset, Scibelli opened his first restaurant in Charlotte, Mama Ricotta's. The early days weren't easy. Business was slow at first, but persistence and a strong belief in his concept paid off. A positive review helped put the restaurant on the map, and from there, growth followed. What kept people coming back wasn't just the food itself, but how it made them feel. Scibelli understood that great restaurants don't just serve meals; they create experiences that people build traditions around.
Scibelli's early success also created opportunities to grow and evolve. He expanded into new concepts, including Cantina 1511 and Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, both of which quickly gained loyal followings. In 2012, he sold Cantina 1511, followed by the sale of Bad Daddy's Burger Bar in 2015 after growing it into a multi-unit concept. These moments marked a turning point, allowing Scibelli to refocus, reinvest and continue building new concepts with the same intentional approach that defined his first.
Today, Scibelli has developed a diverse portfolio of restaurants across the Southeast, including Paco's Tacos & Tequila, YAFO Kitchen, Midwood Smokehouse and Plate Perfect Catering, with continued expansion underway. Each concept reflects a different inspiration, but all are rooted in the same philosophy of approaching every restaurant from the perspective of the customer and focusing on doing simple things exceptionally well.
"I've always tried to think like a consumer. What's missing? What would make this a place people want to come back to?" Scibelli said.
His philosophy is evident across his growing portfolio. Whether it's a casual burger spot or a vibrant Mexican kitchen, each restaurant is designed to create an environment where people feel comfortable, connected and eager to return. At the core of it all is consistency, both in quality and experience. More importantly, however, is intention. Every dish, every space and every detail is designed to bring people together, reinforcing Scibelli's belief that food is one of the most powerful ways to build community.
From the ingredients in the kitchen to the atmosphere in the dining room, Scibelli has built more than restaurants. He has helped shape a sense of community in every place he establishes. That same desire to create opportunity and connection led Scibelli back to Wake Forest, this time as a supporter.
After reconnecting with fellow alumnus Ed Balogh and building a relationship with head men's golf coach Jerry Haas, Scibelli learned more about the program's needs. Despite its success and national reputation, Wake Forest men's golf faced limitations in scholarship funding.
What began as a modest contribution quickly grew into something much more meaningful. Scibelli decided to go all in, providing a new, fully funded scholarship to men's golf for the next five years, helping create additional opportunities and enhancing the program's ability to recruit and develop top talent.
"Golf has always been a big part of my life," he said. "And Wake gave me so much. This felt like a way to give back and help the program continue to compete at the highest level."
His support is already making an impact, helping close the gap and create new opportunities for student-athletes who might not otherwise have access to a Wake Forest education.
Beyond athletics, Scibelli's connection to Wake Forest is also deeply personal. His stepdaughter, Ande, will enroll in the fall, continuing the family's connection to the university. While he encouraged her to choose the school that felt right for her, seeing her find her place at Wake has added another layer to his relationship with the institution.
From a 39-seat restaurant to a multi-concept hospitality group, Scibelli's journey is a testament to following passion and staying grounded in what matters most. His business success is matched by his commitment to giving back, bridging his love for food, family and community with a desire to create opportunities for others.
For Scibelli, success isn't measured by the number of restaurants he opens or the awards his chefs earn, but rather by the impact he can make beyond the kitchen. Whether it's providing scholarships that open doors or creating spaces where people come together over a meal, his philosophy remains the same: do what you love and share that passion with others.
Scibelli was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and attended Suffield Academy in Connecticut. When it came time to choose a college, his counselor suggested Wake Forest as an academically strong, close-knit option.
An avid golfer, Scibelli received an invitation to attend a summer golf camp at Wake Forest, an opportunity that would ultimately shape his future.
"From the day I stepped on campus, it just felt right," Scibelli noted. "The people, the environment, it was everything I was looking for."
It was then that Scibelli realized his connection to the campus and the community surrounding the Old Gold and Black. The friendships he formed and the experiences he gained made his decision feel effortless and lasting.
Initially pursuing a JD/MBA program, Scibelli soon discovered his passion for business outweighed his interest in law. After earning his MBA from Wake Forest, his consulting career took him to Tampa and eventually back to Charlotte. Still, something was missing.
"I got to a point where I had to figure out what I really wanted to do," he admitted. "I love the book Wishcraft. It advises you to 'do what you love.' I love food, and I kept coming back to it."
Do what you love. For Scibelli, that idea became a blueprint. Food has always been about more than what was on the plate. It is about connection, tradition and identity. For Scibelli, a meal is never just a meal; it's where stories are shared, relationships are built and moments turn into memories that last far longer than the last bite. Influenced by family traditions, travels and shared meals, he understood early on that food brings people together, sparks conversation and creates lasting memories. These beliefs would go on to define his approach to both business and hospitality.
With that mindset, Scibelli opened his first restaurant in Charlotte, Mama Ricotta's. The early days weren't easy. Business was slow at first, but persistence and a strong belief in his concept paid off. A positive review helped put the restaurant on the map, and from there, growth followed. What kept people coming back wasn't just the food itself, but how it made them feel. Scibelli understood that great restaurants don't just serve meals; they create experiences that people build traditions around.
Scibelli's early success also created opportunities to grow and evolve. He expanded into new concepts, including Cantina 1511 and Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, both of which quickly gained loyal followings. In 2012, he sold Cantina 1511, followed by the sale of Bad Daddy's Burger Bar in 2015 after growing it into a multi-unit concept. These moments marked a turning point, allowing Scibelli to refocus, reinvest and continue building new concepts with the same intentional approach that defined his first.
Today, Scibelli has developed a diverse portfolio of restaurants across the Southeast, including Paco's Tacos & Tequila, YAFO Kitchen, Midwood Smokehouse and Plate Perfect Catering, with continued expansion underway. Each concept reflects a different inspiration, but all are rooted in the same philosophy of approaching every restaurant from the perspective of the customer and focusing on doing simple things exceptionally well.
"I've always tried to think like a consumer. What's missing? What would make this a place people want to come back to?" Scibelli said.
His philosophy is evident across his growing portfolio. Whether it's a casual burger spot or a vibrant Mexican kitchen, each restaurant is designed to create an environment where people feel comfortable, connected and eager to return. At the core of it all is consistency, both in quality and experience. More importantly, however, is intention. Every dish, every space and every detail is designed to bring people together, reinforcing Scibelli's belief that food is one of the most powerful ways to build community.
From the ingredients in the kitchen to the atmosphere in the dining room, Scibelli has built more than restaurants. He has helped shape a sense of community in every place he establishes. That same desire to create opportunity and connection led Scibelli back to Wake Forest, this time as a supporter.
After reconnecting with fellow alumnus Ed Balogh and building a relationship with head men's golf coach Jerry Haas, Scibelli learned more about the program's needs. Despite its success and national reputation, Wake Forest men's golf faced limitations in scholarship funding.
What began as a modest contribution quickly grew into something much more meaningful. Scibelli decided to go all in, providing a new, fully funded scholarship to men's golf for the next five years, helping create additional opportunities and enhancing the program's ability to recruit and develop top talent.
"Golf has always been a big part of my life," he said. "And Wake gave me so much. This felt like a way to give back and help the program continue to compete at the highest level."
His support is already making an impact, helping close the gap and create new opportunities for student-athletes who might not otherwise have access to a Wake Forest education.
Beyond athletics, Scibelli's connection to Wake Forest is also deeply personal. His stepdaughter, Ande, will enroll in the fall, continuing the family's connection to the university. While he encouraged her to choose the school that felt right for her, seeing her find her place at Wake has added another layer to his relationship with the institution.
From a 39-seat restaurant to a multi-concept hospitality group, Scibelli's journey is a testament to following passion and staying grounded in what matters most. His business success is matched by his commitment to giving back, bridging his love for food, family and community with a desire to create opportunities for others.
For Scibelli, success isn't measured by the number of restaurants he opens or the awards his chefs earn, but rather by the impact he can make beyond the kitchen. Whether it's providing scholarships that open doors or creating spaces where people come together over a meal, his philosophy remains the same: do what you love and share that passion with others.
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