Elevate Ep 65: 60 Years of Reinvention | With Blake Fogelsong, Co-Owner of Clancy's Hospitality

What does it take to turn a 60-year family restaurant legacy into a growing portfolio of modern hospitality concepts? In this episode of the Elevate Podcast Jason Ulm sits down with Blake Fogelsong, third-generation owner and operator of Clancy’s Hospitality, to explore leadership, entrepreneurship, restaurant innovation, technology, and the importance of staying connected to your community. Blake grew up in Noblesville, Indiana, working nearly every position in the restaurant business before eventually helping lead the family company into its next generation. Today, Clancy’s Hospitality operates multiple restaurant concepts while continuing to evolve its approach to dining, branding, technology, and guest experience. Blake shares the story behind the family business, his journey from restaurant manager to owner, the evolution of concepts such as Grindstone Public House and The Fountain Room, and the inspiration behind bringing a Hi-Fi listening lounge experience to downtown Noblesville. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Meet Blake Fogelsong and Clancy’s Hospitality 01:27 Growing Up in the Restaurant Business 03:19 Ball State, Mentorship and Choosing Hospitality 04:32 Starting at the Bottom and Working Up 05:57 Growing Sales and Launching Grindstone Public House 07:30 The Family Business Story Begins in 1965 10:12 The Origins and Growth of Grindstone Charlie’s 12:28 Creating New Restaurant Concepts 14:04 The Fountain Room and a New Hi-Fi Passion Project 15:27 Bringing a Hi-Fi Listening Lounge to Noblesville 17:09 Vinyl, DJs and Creating a Different Dining Experience 20:18 Bringing Big-City Experiences to Central Indiana 21:34 Advice for Future Restaurateurs and Entrepreneurs 24:07 How Technology Is Transforming the Restaurant Industry 25:28 AI, Scheduling and the Future of Restaurant Operations 27:39 Loyalty Programs and Restaurant Technology 28:40 What Community Means to Blake 30:33 Why Great Businesses Must Keep Adapting 31:41 Life Outside the Restaurant Business 33:07 Closing Thoughts About Elevate: Elevate brings you conversations with influential leaders who are shaping communities across Indiana and Illinois. Hear the stories behind their leadership journeys, the lessons they have learned, and how they are creating meaningful impact in business and their communities. The Elevate Podcast is powered by Braden Business Systems, hosted by Jason Ulm, and produced by Lauren Knauer. Keywords: Blake Fogelsong, Clancy's Hospitality, Clancys Hospitality, Blake Fogelsong Clancy's Hospitality, Indiana restaurants, Indiana restaurant industry, Noblesville restaurants, Noblesville Indiana, Indianapolis restaurants, restaurant leadership, restaurant business, hospitality leadership, family business, family business leadership, third generation business, restaurant entrepreneur, restaurant entrepreneurship, restaurant innovation, hospitality industry, restaurant technology, AI in restaurants, restaurant AI, restaurant operations, Grindstone Public House, Grindstone Charlie's, The Fountain Room Indianapolis, Noblesville Hi-Fi lounge, Indiana business leaders, Indiana entrepreneurs, local business leadership, community leadership, business growth, leadership podcast, business podcast, Indiana podcast, Elevate Podcast, Braden Business Systems #BlakeFogelsong #ClancysHospitality #RestaurantLeadership #FamilyBusiness #IndianaBusiness #NoblesvilleIndiana #HospitalityIndustry #RestaurantBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ElevatePodcast