Fritz Brogan ’03 loves to meet and speak with people — this has been key to his success in the hospitality industry and politics.
Fritz is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of The Mission Group, a hospitality company that develops, owns, and operates leading high volume bar and restaurant concepts in Washington, D.C. However, Fritz did not always see himself in the restaurant business. After graduating from Pine Crest, Fritz moved to Washington, D.C. to attend Georgetown University where he eventually earned his law degree. After earning his degree, he returned to Florida and served as a Deputy Chief of Staff for then-governor Rick Scott.
While he enjoyed the world of politics, he realized his real calling was entrepreneurship.
Mission Group is now one of the fastest growing hospitality companies in Washington D.C and employed more than 300 people before the COVID crisis occured. Once stay-at-home orders came into effect, most employees were furloughed.
“Our staff is the key to our success,” said Fritz. “We had to think of them and their families’ safety and well-being during the shutdown. So we began providing weekly meals for their families, and focused on helping them receive unemployment insurance.”
In early June, D.C. restaurants were able to re-open but could only receive customers on their outdoor patios.
“The hospitality industry has changed dramatically due to the virus,” said Fritz. “Health and hygiene are the most important pieces of the puzzle when reopening a restaurant to full capacity. We make sure our employees and customers are safe before they even enter the restaurant.”
“Each of our locations has enough personal protection equipment for every employee,” Fritz continued. “We provide free masks and hand sanitizers and check their temperatures at the beginning of every shift. We also provide hand sanitizer and masks to customers who are not wearing one before they enter our restaurants.”
As people venture back to restaurants, Fritz says keeping your hands clean, social distancing from other tables, and keeping masks on while not eating and drinking play an important role in keeping us safe.
In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Fritz offers strategic advice and counsel to elected officials and candidates running for federal and statewide office in Florida and nationally. He serves as Chairman of Maverick PAC and is an advisor to Florida Congressman Francis Rooney. He and his wife, Brooke, reside in Washington D.C with their 18 month old son Francis IV.
“My 14 years of experience at Pine Crest laid the foundation for my career,” said Fritz. “I’m especially grateful for Ray Sessman, who nurtured my political side. I spoke with everyone on campus and learned to talk to anyone at any time. This was incredibly important in building my self-confidence.”
Fritz reminds his fellow Panthers that, in this stressful and difficult time, “you are fortunate to be at Pine Crest and will get through this. Build strong relationships, and always keep moving forward.”
Fritz is the son of Barbara Lee Brogan, who taught English at Pine Crest for over 20 years in the Upper School. His sister Rebecca (Brogan) Morse ’98 and her husband, Tyler own a national hotel business which recently opened the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport.