With a career spanning nearly four decades, Kukler’s experience is rooted in strategically building and growing Fifth Group Restaurants (FGR), an Atlanta-based company with numerous casual fine dining concepts. His expertise spanned new business development, culture building and company-wide operations.
After acquiring a degree in Food Systems, Economics and Management from Michigan State University, Kukler spent five years honing his management expertise at a national chain and later became co-owner of South City Kitchen. Over the next 30 years, Kukler worked alongside his business partners to expand FGR to include 14 locations, both company-owned and independently licensed restaurants. Kukler’s track record for growing successful restaurant concepts has earned him various industry honors and recognition, including being awarded Most Influential Leaders in 2022 by Georgia Trend Magazine and Most Admired CEO by Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2018. In 2023 Kukler was awarded the prestigious Georgia Restaurant Association Lifetime Achievement Award
Kukler is a member and active supporter of local professional and philanthropic organizations. He currently serves on the board of directors for both Food Well Alliance and NaanStop and acts as an advisory committee member for Full Course. He formerly served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Community Food Bank and has partnered with the organization on many occasions to mobilize community engagement initiatives.
With the eponymous Kukler Restaurant Advisory (KRA), Robby is utilizing his experience and pragmatic approach to guide restaurateurs in setting performance goals.
He is also one of Restaurant INFORMER‘s contributing writers, having authored informative pieces like Feedback That Inspires Growth and To Grow or Not to Grow: How to Grow Your Concept.
Robby Kukler
Robby Kukler is passionate about fostering an exceptional hospitality model that succeeds for owners, guests and team members while embracing the fundamental hospitality principle of people taking care of people. With 40 years in the business and as a founding partner of acclaimed Fifth Group Restaurants, Robby’s track record for developing and growing successful – and enduring – restaurant concepts and companies has earned him and his teams countless industry awards and recognition. With the launch of Kukler Restaurant Advisory (KRA), Robby harnesses this experience to show restaurateurs how to set and achieve their own KRA – Key Result Areas – for lasting stakeholder success.
