BUFFALO, N.Y. (Jan. 11, 2024) – Global hospitality and entertainment company Delaware North today announced the appointment of John Kolaski as president of Patina Restaurant Group. He is a veteran hospitality leader with more than 30 years of experience building culinary brands and leading restaurant operations.
Kolaski will report to Jamie Obletz, who has been elevated to the role of group president with responsibility for Patina Restaurant Group. Obletz, who has been a Delaware North operating company president since 2020, currently serves as group president of Sportservice, Patina Restaurant Group and Delaware North U.K.
In addition to Patina Restaurant Group, he is responsible for providing oversight and strategic direction for the company’s sports portfolio which provides concessions, premium dining, catering and retail services to more than 50 sports and entertainment venues in the United States. He also oversees the company’s hospitality operations in the United Kingdom at locations such as Wembley Stadium, London Stadium and Emirates Stadium.
“John Kolaski is an invaluable addition to Patina Restaurant Group, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a well-established track record of success,” said Obletz, who joined the company in 2016 as a senior vice president of corporate development and has also served as president of the company’s Travel division. “His leadership and expertise in building culinary brands align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team as president of Patina Restaurant Group.”
Kolaski joins Delaware North from K2 Restaurants, a Los Angeles-based hospitality group and restaurant incubator that he founded and served as CEO for the past six years. Under his leadership, K2 Restaurants cultivated 20 company-owned brands poised for expansion through various channels, including brick and mortar, management, licensing and franchising.
Before establishing K2, Kolaski served in successive leadership roles with SBE Entertainment, a global lifestyle hospitality and nightlife company based in Los Angeles. His roles at SBE included chief operating officer for restaurants and president of SBE’s Disruptive Restaurant Group. Prior to that, Kolaski held key food and beverage leadership positions at Montage Hotels and Resorts and The Four Seasons.
“John has proven to be a trailblazer in forming enduring partnerships with award-winning chefs and culinary brands,” Obletz added. “His addition to the Delaware North family signifies a strategic move to further elevate our presence in the culinary landscape.”
Kolaski earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management at Florida International University. He also holds an associate’s degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University in Miami, Fla.
About Patina Restaurant Group
Patina Restaurant Group is a bicoastal collection of boutique restaurants, catering and food service operations in the premium segment of the hospitality industry. The group is known for its unique and impeccable market-driven menus, exemplary service culture and outstanding beverage program across all locations. It offers distinctive, one-of-a-kind dining destinations in celebrated cultural institutions. The company has locations in New York, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Florida. Its portfolio includes Patina Catering, Kitchen for Exploring Foods, Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse, Lincoln Ristorante and 15 combined locations across Disney Springs, Walt Disney World and Downtown Disney. Patina Restaurant Group is a subsidiary of global hospitality and entertainment company Delaware North. Learn more at patinagroup.com.
About Delaware North
Delaware North is a global leader in the hospitality and entertainment industry. The company annually serves more than a half-billion guests across three continents, including at high-profile sports venues, airports, national and state parks, restaurants, resorts, hotels and casinos. Building on more than a century of enduring partnerships and a commitment to local communities and sustainability, Delaware North’s vision is to delight guests by creating the world’s best experiences today while reimagining tomorrow. Learn more at www.DelawareNorth.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.