Brian Martinez

Brian was born and raised in the Bronx, where he attended Monsignor Scanlan High School.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, with a dual minor in Marketing and Philosophy, from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York.  It was in college that Brian first applied his leadership skills by founding the first New York chapter of the Latino fraternity, Lambda Sigma Upsilon. He played an intricate role in the growth of the organization, which now has more than 15 chapters in New York.  After graduating from Le Moyne, Brian moved back to his beloved Bronx, where he became involved in supporting and uplifting his community with fundraising, mentoring and community service.

Brian worked several jobs in management, from Operations Manager for Sky Chefs at JFK airport to General Manager for a New York Sports Club location.  He subsequently worked in the Alcoholic Beverage Industry, doing marketing and portfolio management in the multi-cultural segment for several key brands.  During this time, Brian also started his own consulting business, where he helped new business owners with concept creation, opening their businesses, hiring and training staff, and designing menu and beverage programs.

Brian soon wanted to put his expertise to work for himself so, in May 2015, he opened his first restaurant.  He continued to grow and evolve his brand by opening several other businesses, including a coffee shop and a barber shop.  He credits his savvy business ideas to his Dominican and Bronx roots.

Brian has always been involved in his community.  In addition to being a Board Member on Community Board 1 in the Queens, he is also a member of LGBT Network Youth Coalition, Western Queens Small Business Council, has sat on Queens DA Latino Advisory Council and he offers his businesses to special interest groups for events throughout the year.  These include:

• Partnering with Brown Paper Bag NYC to give haircuts to the homeless and providing “Back to School Cuts” for children in the South Bronx at The Bronx Barber Shop,
• Hosting Kids’ Book Clubs, Poetry Nights and Pop-up Shops for local artists and entrepreneurs at his several business’
• Hosting networking, clothing drives for LGBTQ+ homeless youth, women’s empowerment events and much more at Fresco’s Cantina in Astoria.
• Fresco’s Cantina was featured and highlighted by Grub Hub on a national campaign for the “Drag-Livery” during the pandemic when they delivered great food, drinks and Drag Entertainment to their patrons.
• Hosting Queer Artist, Creators and Entrepreneurs to show case and sell their products at Fresco’s Grand Cantina and now organizing a Beauty Health and Wellness fair among other projects in the works.
• Fresco’s Cantina/Fresco’s Grand Cantina, are safe spaces that serves as an LGBTQ+ friendly restaurants and host several events for the community like Drag Trivia, Drag Brunch and Drag Brunch – winning Best Drag Brunch in NYC at the 2023 GLAM Awards
• Fresco’s was also be at CitiField from May 22 to July 2nd 2023 as part of the Taste of Queens – representing not only a Queens Local restaurant, but also a Latino and Gay Owned during Pride Month at the stadium.
• Fresco’s was invited by American Express as a Small Business Spotlight in February 2024 to the UBS Arena
• Most recently spotlighted by Vita Coco for Hispanic Heritage Month national campaign.