Bridget Kraft
Bridget Kraft is a dynamic, growth-focused sales executive and Certified Foodservice Professional (CFSP) who serves as Account Director at Franke Coffee Systems. With nearly three decades of experience in the foodservice equipment industry, she specializes in managing large national and strategic accounts while driving complex, multimillion-dollar sales processes. Known for her consultative approach and strategic mindset, Bridget partners with convenience retailers and foodservice operators to design high-performance beverage programs that deliver freshness, variety, efficiency, and profitability. Her leadership and results-driven performance were recently recognized with an Outstanding Sales Achievement Award.
Before joining Franke, Bridget built a 24-year career with Welbilt Inc., where she progressed from customer service to senior leadership roles, including Director of Strategic Accounts. Throughout her tenure, she led strategic pricing initiatives, product management efforts, and national account sales across beverage systems and commercial kitchen equipment, including soda dispensers, ice machines, fryers, ovens, and combi systems. She played a key role in business process transitions, served as a business process owner during a major Oracle system implementation, and consistently demonstrated the ability to align operational strategy with revenue growth.
A graduate of Indiana University Southeast with a degree in Business Management, Bridget is committed to continuous professional development and leadership excellence. She actively participates in major industry trade shows such as NACS and the National Restaurant Show, where she connects with operators and industry partners to stay ahead of emerging beverage trends. Beyond her professional career, Bridget has dedicated more than 35 years to volunteer service with the National Ski Patrol and supports community initiatives through Dare to Care Food Bank. Her career reflects a consistent commitment to leadership, relationship-building, and delivering meaningful results for customers and communities alike.
• Finding Your Leadership Vocabulary with Doug Conant
• Using Questions to Foster Critical Thinking and Curiosity
• Indiana University Southeast
• Outstanding Sales Achievement Award (2025)
• Number 3 Sales Performance (2025)
• Convenience Store Women's Group (CSW)
• Women in Food Service Forum
• National Ski Patrol
• Ski Patrol at Paoli Peaks (35 years)
• Dare to Care Food Bank
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being tenacious. When somebody tells me I can't do something, I'm like, get out of my way and watch. I have that personality from growing up with an older brother close in age, hanging around with him, playing army men and football on the field. I grew up in the 70s and graduated high school in 1983, so my parents weren't always around and we went out and played until the streetlights came on. You learned how to survive and figure things out on your own without a computer or phone. I think that made us a lot more resilient and resourceful. I wasn't the real delicate, real feminine girl, and I'm 5'9" so I'm not petite. I just wanted to be outside doing things. Having an older brother helped, and just not being that typical girl where they say don't get dirty. I'd come in dirt head to toe. I'm pretty headstrong when it comes to not putting girls in a box and saying this is what you're gonna do, this is all you can do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received came from a Women in Food Service Forum lunch and learn with Heather Dubois from Ecolab. She talked about becoming your own most effective champion, and one thing that really stood out to me was to create a brag book. I've learned from the CSW group and the book Women Rise about taking credit for what you're doing. I personally have a hard time taking credit for my work. When someone says I'm doing a great job, it's very hard to say oh, it's nothing, when no, it's actually a lot of work. I have to say thank you, I appreciate that, and take the credit. I think so many times we are so afraid to be that person, basically the guy who beats their chest and goes look at me, look at all the great things I've done. But we need to own our accomplishments.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I tell my daughter all the time, don't let somebody tell you you can't do something. I'm pretty strong-willed, and I work with a bunch of guys, so just because we approach things differently, that's okay, but you still have a lot of value to bring to the table. Keep your options open and don't say no to everything. Sometimes you have to say yes, and then you may feel that maybe this isn't the right thing, but you always have an option to change and do something different. Don't just do it hastily, but think about it and take your time. It's okay to be a strong person. Let girls figure out what they like to do. You've got girls in HVAC, plumbing, construction, building things. Don't put them in a box and say this is what you're gonna do, this is all you can do.