Ben Kendzicky — From FGR to Franchise Ownership
When Ben Kendzicky ’15 took ownership of five Burger King restaurants in Southeast Michigan last fall, it wasn’t a sudden career pivot so much as the natural next step in a path shaped by discipline, community, and a long-standing desire to build something of his own.
Today, Ben is the Managing Member of Midwest Crown Partners, an LLC he formed to complete the transaction in November. While franchising may seem far removed from the world of finance, his professional journey has followed a deliberate arc.
“My career so far has been in private equity and mergers and acquisitions. I went straight into that out of college with the mindset that one day I wanted to own my own business,” Ben said. “Growing up, my dad had a commercial flooring company, so I was constantly exposed to entrepreneurship.”
That early exposure planted the seed for ownership, while his professional experience gave him the tools to pursue it. “Working in private equity gave me a strong understanding of how a business really operates — not just one function, but the whole thing,” he said. “Eventually, I decided to make the jump into franchising because of the support system it offers. It felt like a more manageable leap into ownership.”
After evaluating a range of franchising options, Ben found himself drawn to Burger King — both as a brand and as an opportunity. He points to new initiatives the company is undertaking as a major factor in his decision.
“There’s been a big push in recent years to reimage stores and improve operations,” he explained. “I wanted to be part of that movement.”
Equally important was geography. Ben grew up in Brighton before moving to Ann Arbor and has lived in Southeast Michigan for his entire life. The restaurants he now owns are located in communities he knows well.
“It’s cool to be part of these stores that are in the communities I’ve known my whole life,” he said. “I have family and friends who go to these restaurants. That connection matters.”
Ben traces much of his leadership style back to his time at Father Gabriel Richard High School, particularly through athletics. A multi-sport athlete who played football and ran track, he says that his participation in sports helped shape his approach to work and responsibility.
“Football was my main sport. It’s demanding, especially with offseason workouts starting early in the summer,” Ben said. “You can’t half-commit and expect results. That ‘all in’ mentality carried over into my career.”
That philosophy directly influenced how he approached business ownership.
“That’s actually why I jumped into five stores instead of easing in — I wanted to be fully immersed in the business and learn every aspect before expanding further,” he said.
Beyond athletics, Ben points to the structure and discipline of the classroom — and the people who created it — as lasting influences. Teachers like Mrs. Panning, Deacon Lawrence, and Mr. Smail ’87 left an impression not just through coursework, but through high expectations and consistency.
Yet when asked what mattered most about his FGR experience, Ben doesn’t hesitate.
“The community,” he said. “Most of my closest friends are still my high school friends — and a lot of us married fellow FGR grads. My wife, Julia (Doyle) Kendzicky ’14, went here too.”
That sense of community extended well beyond graduation. When Ben’s father passed away, the response from the FGR network left a lasting mark.
“When my dad passed away, the outreach and support from the community meant everything,” he said. “That network has been a massive asset in my life — even helping me land my first job through an FGR connection.”
Today, Ben says his motivation comes from several places — first and foremost, his family.
“My wife, Julia — no question. She keeps me accountable and grounded. She knows me better than anyone and pushes me when I need it,” he said. “I’m also motivated by my dad’s legacy and by wanting to provide for my family. I’ve got a young son now, and I want to set the right example.”
But beyond personal motivation, Ben finds purpose in the impact of his work.
“Beyond that, I genuinely enjoy the work,” he said. “Seeing the impact I can have on employees — helping them grow and build better lives — that’s incredibly rewarding.”
Looking ahead, Ben is particularly excited about the next phase of development for his restaurants, including plans to renovate several locations. One project stands out.
“The Brighton store has a lot of personal ties for me,” he said. “Getting involved with that community and bringing a refreshed restaurant to market is something I’m really looking forward to.”
For current FGR students and recent graduates, Ben’s advice reflects both his educational background and his professional experience.
“Both FGR and Hillsdale taught me how to think, not just what to learn,” he said. “Having a broad foundation helps you approach problems logically and adapt quickly — because no job is exactly what you expect it to be. You learn on your feet. Flexibility matters. And early in your career, learning broadly is far more valuable than specializing too soon.”
It’s a lesson Ben lives daily — one shaped by faith, family, community, and a willingness to go all in.