VOL 26 ISSUE 45, Nov. 10, 2025
Main caption: New renderings of Hencraft showcase a whimsical design and efficient operations for maximizing throughput.
John Kolaski (JK), president of Patina Group, was featured in Total Food Service’s November 2025 digital issue to discuss Hencraft, an elevated fast-casual chicken concept that will debut its first stand-alone outlet in early 2026 near Delaware North’s corporate headquarters in Buffalo.
Announced this summer, the Hencraft brand was designed for scalability and an operational model that can be adapted across Delaware North’s portfolio, including professional venues, gaming locations and street-side destinations.
Kolaski explained several key differentiators of the brand, including a chef-driven menu and a radical hospitality approach that ensures consistent and memorable guest experiences.
Excerpts from the story are below. Click here for the full article.
Hencraft is a strategic move aimed at reshaping how Delaware North serves its culinary audience – from downtown streets to major league stadiums. Unlike many standalone restaurant launches, Hencraft has been built from the ground up to be dual purpose.
Not only has it been designed to operate as a national franchise-ready concept, but it’s also engineered to function efficiently in high-volume, high-traffic venues such as arenas, stadiums, airports and even national parks. That’s a major differentiator in a crowded market – and a reflection of Patina’s broader ambitions.
Food isn’t the only focus. Radical hospitality – a long Patina hallmark – is built into the DNA of Hencraft. Whether guests are ordering at the kiosk, chatting with a greeter or picking up a mobile order, the team is aiming to create moments of real human connection, even in a high-volume setting.
Kolaski detailed, “It’s those little touches – someone remembering your name or your order, a real welcome at the door – that keep people coming back.”
The vision is long-term. While the first few locations will be company-owned to maintain quality and branding, Kolaski is open to broader expansion models, including potential franchising in the future.