CONVERSATIONS
Building Restaurant Brands with Purpose, Culture, and Confidence
On this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, Nancy Sheed is joined by Kelly Fitzpatrick, founder and president of Blue Park Restaurants, discussing her journey from working in hospitality to building successful restaurant concepts in New York City. Kelly shares how thoughtful career decisions, strong mentorship, and a willingness to take calculated risks helped her launch Blue Park Kitchen and now expand into franchising with Jersey Mike’s and Magnolia Bakery.
Key Points
- Kelly’s path into hospitality wasn’t driven by a lifelong dream of becoming a chef, but by her love of the restaurant industry and customer service. After studying hospitality at Cornell and culinary arts in Napa, she gained valuable operational experience that prepared her for entrepreneurship.
- Rather than rushing into business ownership, Kelly spent years learning every aspect of restaurant operations. Working with the founders of Melt Shop gave her firsthand experience opening locations, managing teams, and scaling a fast casual concept.
- Launching Blue Park Kitchen in New York City required careful planning, mentorship, and persistence. Kelly credits experienced industry mentors and local business development resources with helping her successfully navigate the challenges of opening her first restaurant.
- The COVID-19 pandemic tested every aspect of the business, but strong landlord relationships, government support, and an exceptional leadership team helped Blue Park Kitchen survive while also creating opportunities for strategic expansion into a second Manhattan location.
- Recognizing the increasing challenges of competing with large, private equity-backed restaurant chains, Kelly made the strategic decision to diversify her business. She successfully secured franchise rights for Jersey Mike’s in Westchester County and the Bronx and is now bringing Magnolia Bakery to Fairfield County, all while maintaining a people-first culture across every brand she leads.
Kelly’s story demonstrates that lasting business success comes from combining preparation with courage. By investing in experience, surrounding herself with strong mentors, and staying focused on building great teams and company culture, she’s created a business that continues to grow through both independent concepts and national franchise partnerships.
Her journey offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable hospitality businesses while remaining adaptable in an ever-changing marketplace.
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