Kokoro Cafe is the collaborative creation of two friends that grew up right here in Milwaukee.

Brandon Crisp is our executive chef and creative visionary. After studying abroad in Japan and graduating from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s Japanese program, Crisp knew he had to share his experiences with anyone who would listen. At the same time he was always working in food service and honing his craft. Combining passion and skill, Brandon came up with the idea to start a Japanese cafe with the primary focus of promoting culture and authentic cuisine to his hometown.

Garrit Welch is the behind-the-scenes strategist at Kokoro Cafe LLC, bringing his expertise in business management and food service to ensure everything runs smoothly. With a background in operations and a shared passion for small business, Garrit focuses on optimizing processes and handling the logistics that keep Kokoro Cafe thriving.

While he stays out of the spotlight, Garrit’s commitment to excellence and efficiency plays a vital role in bringing Brandon’s creative vision to life, helping make Kokoro Cafe a place where the Milwaukee community can gather and experience the beauty of Japanese culture.