VIBE 2018

Patrick Kirk
Vice President Bar & Beverage
Applebee’s


Patrick Kirk has spent the past 17 years in the restaurant industry devoted to marketing and beverage at three major restaurant chains. His career in the industry began in 2001 when he joined the marketing team at international rib chain Tony Roma’s in Dallas. He later moved to Minneapolis to work with fast growing Buffalo Wild Wings for more than a decade as their Director of Beverage Innovation. He most recently accepted a role at Applebee’s as Vice President of Beverage Innovation where he leads the company’s vision and strategy for the bar and beverage experience at the 1,700+ restaurant chain. Throughout his career, Patrick has been a champion for draft beer quality and has worked closely with brewers, equipment suppliers, and members of the Brewer’s Association to improve education and standards in draft beer. He’s also devoted much of his time to improving the On-Premise beverage experience for both team members and guests. He has been a speaker at numerous supplier conferences and beverage industry events including VIBE, NRA’s Bar Show, the Beer Summit, and the Craft Brewers Conference. He’s had a life-long passion for beverage and alcohol, and his parents would tell you it all makes sense to them now. Patrick graduated with honors from the University of Illinois in 1999. He and his high school sweetheart Marcia married in 2002. They reside in the Los Angeles area where they enjoy coaching and watching their three children play sports year-round.

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