FoxFire Interior

Chef K.C. Gulbro

Award-Winning Chef · Restaurateur · Certified Angus Beef® Ambassador

Building a legacy of destination dining in the Fox Valley — one restaurant, one community, one unforgettable experience at a time.

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🏆 Certified Angus Beef® Steakhouse of the Year 2023📺 WGN-TV Chicago — Lunchbreak Feature🎙️ Authority Magazine — "5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me"🗞️ Northwest Quarterly — "The Cheers of Geneva"🌟 The Takeout — Expert Chef Contributor🎤 "It's Showtime with Rikki Lee" Podcast Guest📰 Shaw Local Media — Featured Restaurateur🔥 Restaurant Business Online — Steakcuterie Innovation🏆 Certified Angus Beef® Steakhouse of the Year 2023📺 WGN-TV Chicago — Lunchbreak Feature🎙️ Authority Magazine — "5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me"🗞️ Northwest Quarterly — "The Cheers of Geneva"🌟 The Takeout — Expert Chef Contributor🎤 "It's Showtime with Rikki Lee" Podcast Guest📰 Shaw Local Media — Featured Restaurateur🔥 Restaurant Business Online — Steakcuterie Innovation
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Years in Business

0

Restaurant Concepts

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Steakhouse of the Year

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Events Hosted Annually

The Man Behind
the Fire

Chef K.C. (Kristopher) Gulbro has been a cornerstone of the Fox Valley culinary scene since 2003. What began as a family-driven steakhouse vision has grown into one of Illinois' most respected restaurant groups — built on Certified Angus Beef®, genuine hospitality, and an unwavering commitment to community.

A nationally recognized chef, Certified Angus Beef® Ambassador, and frequent media contributor, Chef K.C. brings decades of expertise and a deeply personal approach to every concept he creates. His restaurants are not just places to eat — they are experiences that define downtown Geneva.

Chef K.C. Gulbro

"Hospitality is a responsibility, not a transaction."

— Chef K.C. Gulbro

KC and his father Curt Gulbro

A Family Legacy

Built on Family,
Carried Forward with Purpose

FoxFire was founded as a family vision alongside Chef K.C.'s late father and co-owner, Curt Gulbro. That founding spirit — warmth, integrity, and a genuine love for people — remains the heartbeat of every restaurant in the group today.

From welcoming regulars by name to hosting milestone celebrations for generations of Geneva families, the Gulbro restaurant group has become woven into the fabric of the community it serves.

The Restaurant Group

Three distinct concepts, one shared philosophy: exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and an unwavering commitment to the communities we serve.

FoxFire Restaurant & Steakhouse
Open

Est. 2003

FoxFire Restaurant & Steakhouse

Award-Worthy Steaks & Fresh Seafood

Downtown Geneva's premier steakhouse since 2003. Home of Certified Angus Beef® cuts, signature weekly specials, live music, and the iconic Steakcuterie Board. Named Steakhouse of the Year 2023.

SteakhouseSeafoodLive MusicPrivate Events
Visit Website
Johnny Fox's
Opening Soon

Est. 2025

Johnny Fox's

Downtown Geneva's Modern Gastropub

Opening at 201 W State Street — the former Old Town Pub — Johnny Fox's is a community-centric gastropub serving gourmet burgers, tavern-style pizzas, craft beers, and specialty cocktails. Live music, comedy nights, and trivia make it Geneva's new gathering place for families, blue-collar workers, and young professionals alike.

GastropubLive MusicCraft BeerCommunity Hub
Visit Website
Nine Vixens
Coming Soon

Est. 2025

Nine Vixens

Geneva's First Allergen-Aware Dining Experience

Chef K.C.'s newest concept — a refined, eclectic dining space designed for all guests. Nine Vixens is Geneva's first allergen-aware, chef-driven restaurant with soulful hospitality and inclusive design.

Allergen-AwareEclecticInclusiveNew Concept
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Meet the Leadership Team

Chef K.C. Gulbro

Chef K.C. Gulbro

Chef / Owner

Certified Angus Beef® AmbassadorSteakhouse of the Year 202323+ Years in Hospitality

K.C. Gulbro's culinary story began not in a classroom, but in the trenches — washing dishes, working the line, and learning every station from the ground up. That relentless work ethic led him to open FoxFire in 2003, transforming a single steakhouse concept into the cornerstone of Geneva's dining scene.

Today, K.C. is one of the most recognized chef-restaurateurs in the Midwest. Named Certified Angus Beef®'s Steakhouse of the Year in 2023, he has appeared on WGN-TV, Fox 32, ESPN Radio, and Daytime Chicago, and has been quoted in national publications including Tasting Table, Eat This Not That!, and Food Republic. His expanding restaurant group — FoxFire, Nine Vixens, and Johnny Fox's — reflects his belief that great food and genuine community are inseparable.

Dylan Headmark

Dylan Headmark

General Manager — FoxFire

Front-of-House LeadershipTeam Culture & TrainingGuest Experience Excellence

Dylan Headmark is the operational backbone of FoxFire. With a sharp instinct for hospitality and an unwavering commitment to the guest experience, Dylan ensures that every table, every service, and every interaction reflects the standard of excellence that FoxFire has built its reputation on.

His leadership style is rooted in mentorship — he invests deeply in the FoxFire team, creating an environment where staff are proud to work and guests feel genuinely welcomed. Dylan's ability to balance the demands of a high-volume, award-winning restaurant with a warm, people-first culture makes him an indispensable part of the Gulbro Restaurant Group's continued growth.

Mandy Isaacson

Mandy Isaacson

Events & Marketing Manager

Private Events & WeddingsBrand & Social StrategyCommunity Partnerships

Mandy Isaacson is the creative engine behind FoxFire's brand presence and event programming. With a talent for turning vision into reality, she has produced hundreds of events at FoxFire — from intimate wine dinners and corporate buyouts to large-scale community celebrations that have become annual Geneva traditions.

Beyond the events calendar, Mandy drives FoxFire's marketing strategy, managing the restaurant's social media presence, press relationships, and community partnerships. Her deep understanding of the FoxFire brand and her genuine passion for connecting people through food and experience make her a vital force in the restaurant group's identity and growth.

FoxFire Team

A Team Built on Passion & Pride

Geneva, Illinois · Est. 2003

A Proven Platform
for Growth

The Gulbro Restaurant Group represents a rare investment opportunity: a nationally recognized brand with over two decades of operational excellence, a loyal and growing customer base, and a visionary chef-owner actively expanding his portfolio.

With FoxFire as the award-winning flagship, Johnny Fox's projecting $200,000 in gross monthly revenue in year one, and Nine Vixens as the allergen-aware dining experience, the group is positioned to scale into new markets while maintaining the quality and community connection that defines the brand.

23+

Years of Proven Operations

50K+

Annual Covers Served

3

Active Restaurant Concepts

$200K

Johnny Fox's Projected Monthly Revenue

20+

Media Features (2023–2025)

Since 2003

Certified Angus Beef® Partner

Johnny Fox's — 201 W State Street, Geneva

🍺

Concept

Modern Gastropub

🎵

Entertainment

Live Music, Comedy, Trivia

🍔

Menu

Gourmet Burgers, Tavern Pizzas, Craft Beer

📍

Location

Former Old Town Pub — Prime Downtown

💰

Yr 1 Revenue Forecast

$200K / Month

🌱

Sourcing

Local Farmers & Artisan Producers

Johnny Fox's will serve as a community hub for Geneva — a welcoming spot for blue-collar workers, families, and young professionals. Leveraging FoxFire's brand recognition, supplier relationships, and operational expertise, it is positioned to become a beloved fixture in downtown Geneva from day one.

Steakhouse of the Year Award

Certified Angus Beef®
Steakhouse of the Year 2023

Out of thousands of Certified Angus Beef® partner restaurants nationwide, FoxFire was recognized as the best steakhouse in the country in 2023 — a testament to Chef K.C.'s relentless pursuit of quality and his team's dedication to excellence.

This recognition, combined with consistent media coverage from WGN-TV, Restaurant Business Online, and national culinary publications, positions the Gulbro brand as a credible, scalable platform for investment.

WGN-TV Chicago — Live on Lunchbreak

Chef K.C. Gulbro has been a recurring guest on WGN-TV Chicago's Lunchbreak segment — one of the most-watched midday programs in the Midwest — demonstrating his culinary expertise to hundreds of thousands of viewers.

Featured Segment

Steakhouse Leftovers Reimagined

Chef K.C. shows WGN viewers how to transform premium steakhouse cuts into next-day culinary masterpieces — a testament to his philosophy of zero waste and maximum flavor.

Network

WGN-TV Chicago · 688K Subscribers

One of Chicago's most-watched local news stations

View All Appearances

Secure Inquiry

Connect with
Our Team

Whether you are exploring a partnership, evaluating an investment in Johnny Fox's or Nine Vixens, or interested in the broader Gulbro Restaurant Group, we want to hear from you.

All inquiries are reviewed personally by Chef K.C. Gulbro and responded to within 2 business days. Your information is kept strictly confidential.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will only be used to respond to your inquiry.

Join the Team.
Build a Career.

At the Gulbro Restaurant Group, we believe that great hospitality starts with great people. We invest in our team members, celebrate long tenures, and create an environment where careers are built — not just jobs filled.

Whether you are an experienced culinary professional or someone passionate about hospitality who is just getting started, there is a place for you in our growing family of restaurants.

Kitchen team in action

Open Positions

Line Cook

FoxFire — Geneva, IL

Full-Time

Front of House Manager

FoxFire — Geneva, IL

Full-Time

Bar Manager

Johnny Fox's — Geneva, IL

Full-Time

Sous Chef

Nine Vixens — Geneva, IL

Full-Time

Bartender

FoxFire — Geneva, IL

Part-Time / Full-Time

Server

FoxFire / Nine Vixens

Part-Time / Full-Time

Follow the Journey

Connect with Chef K.C. across every platform and stay close to the FoxFire story as it continues to grow.

For Media & Investors

Download the Official
FoxFire Press Kit 2025

Includes Chef K.C. Gulbro's full biography, media coverage highlights, restaurant group overview, high-resolution photography, and press contact information. For interview requests, contact Laura Orrico Public Relations.