B.A. in Hospitality Business, Broad College of Business, Michigan State University
The Young Alumni Award is given to graduates age 40 or younger who have distinguished themselves through high levels of professional accomplishment early in their careers. These individuals demonstrate a commitment to Michigan State University through outstanding volunteer service on behalf of the university and/or participation and leadership in meritorious public service on a local, state, national or international level.
He’s co-founder and president of Chicago Scoops, a founding board member of Prosper Chicago and a Spartan.
Kyle Welch is an entrepreneur, leader and devoted mentor who has taken Chicago Scoops from a single-unit-operator franchise in 2014 to the largest Cold Stone Creamery franchise with more than 45 locations across 13 states. In 2019, Welch acquired Epic Burger and served as president to the eight-unit Chicago mini-chain. Under his leadership, the Epic Burger brand was named one of QSR magazine’s “40/40 for 2020: America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casuals.”
He is a member of the Northern Illinois Franchise Association, the Illinois Restaurant Association and Young President’s Organization Chicago. He also mentors future leaders through his role with College Possible, a nonprofit promoting college access and graduation for low-income students. He is a mentor at the Food Foundry Chicago, and a founding board member of Prosper Chicago, a nonprofit dedicated to erasing food insecurity. In 2020, Welch was recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago “40 under 40.”
Welch was featured in the MSU Innovation Center’s “Innovate State Speaker Series” and has shared his entrepreneurial insights to students of MSU Hatch, the university’s student startup incubator.
“I was just born to go to Michigan State. Helping inspire others and being recognized by the university I love so much – and the institution that helped me so much – is by far the best feeling.”
Spartans will defy the odds.
Aimee Klevorn