Exploring Life & Business with Kelsey Drayton of Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Drayton

Hi Kelsey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The most recent part of our story with Brandy’s Restaurant started in 2014 when we purchased it from the original owners, Ed and Brandy Wojciak. However, the real story began in 1995 when Kelsey started at Brandy’s in high school as a dishwasher then baker and server, and continued to work there through getting his Bachelor’s degree at NAU. After an 8 year stint in Los Angeles, we were looking to move back to Arizona and discovered the Wojciak’s were looking to retire. After two years of Kelsey serving as GM at the restaurant it was made official. In 2018 we purchased La Bellavia, Ed and Brandy’s first restaurant they birthed back in 1976, and converted it to a second location, thus expanding our brand. We have worked and continue to work hard to preserve the community and food experience locals and tourists have enjoyed for 32 years while making the modifications necessary to serve our customers evolving palate.

Here’s a link to check out our bio and timeline: https://www.brandysrestaurant.com/brandys-restaurant-about/

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are definitely everyday challenges in restaurants, but I would say the beginning of the pandemic was the most trying time for our business. Between the financial uncertainty, we also were doing our best to take care of our team and maintain a consistent dining experience.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
34-time Best of Flagstaff award winner, Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery is a hotspot for breakfast and lunch. Surrounded by local art, guests enjoy delicious made-from-scratch pancakes and pastries, colorful variations of classic egg dishes, exciting sandwiches, a full espresso bar, and fun brunchy cocktails! Brandy’s uses only the freshest ingredients available and has been locally-owned and operated for 32 years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brandysrestaurant.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandysrestaurant/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandysRestaurant/

Image Credits
Monica Saaty