John Kolaski

About John Kolaski

With 30+ years of hospitality experience as his guide, John (jk) Kolaski believes Hospitality will save Humanity. John continues to build upon his foundation of experience in the restaurant industry by taking on the position of President at Patina Group, a subsidiary of Delaware North. Overseeing 40+ Venues in the portfolio, Patina Group delivers stunning quality at high-volume destinations and events. The footprint spans coast to coast - from Segerstrom Center for the Arts to the Empire State Building as a leader in cultural destinations, from Southern California to sunny Florida as The Walt Disney Company’s largest operating partner, and from fairways to clubhouses as the official catering partner of the PGA of America | Ryder Cup.Prior to this, he founded & operated as CEO, K2 Restaurants to bring together the whimsical, the curious and the obsessive to illustrate dreams and change the world.John was previously President of Disruptive Restaurant Group, a subsidiary of sbe. It was his passion and vision for sbe’s global restaurant portfolio that was the catalyst for launching Disruptive Restaurant Group where he managed a team of industry leading professionals to oversee 70+ venues generating over $230M in annual gross revenue under management or license.Kolaski received his AS in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University and his BS in Hospitality Management from Florida International University. He refined his knowledge and hospitality experience with industry leaders including Four Seasons Hotels, Montage Hotels & Resorts and Starwood. Currently he is a board member of Cal Poly Pomona’s Collin’s School of Hospitality and Common Threads, a national nonprofit that provides children and families cooking and nutrition education to encourage healthy eating habits.

Experience

1. President

   Patina Group

   Dec 2023 — Present · Buffalo, NY, US

   A bi-coastal collection of over 40 boutique restaurants and world class events known for cravable menus, leading design, and radical hospitality. We proudly offer numerous and distinctive, one-of-a kind dining destinations within Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World in Orlando and Downtown Disney in Orange County. The intersection of Culinary Excellence and Radical Hospitality, Patina Group offers best in class restaurants, catering, events, management and consulting services for organizations and venues related to their hospitality needs.

Education

• Johnson & Wales University

  Associate of Science, Culinary Arts

  1997 — 1998

• Florida International University

  Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Management

  1998 — 1999

• UC Santa Barbara

  Program Advisor, Customer Experience

• The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona

  Board of Advisors