The Foundry Gastropub Brings Heart, Craft & Community to Downtown Franklin
Writer & Photographer / Christina Cochran
When you step inside The Foundry Gastropub — nestled in the historic building owned by longtime Franklin supporter Fred Paris — there’s an immediate sense the space was created with intention. Warm woods, iron accents, soft lighting and a vintage brass bar set the tone, but the feeling goes deeper than design. It feels cared for. Considered. As if every detail was handled by someone who believes hospitality is more than service — it’s connection.
That someone is owner Kevin Goewey, a hospitality veteran whose career has taken him through casinos, hotels, food halls, cocktail lounges and full-service restaurants across the country. But Franklin, he says, is where everything he’s learned finally came together.
“I’ve spent my entire career in hospitality,” Goewey says. “What’s always driven me is how a great restaurant can make people feel welcomed and looked after. The Foundry Gastropub came from wanting to take all of those experiences and build something meaningful from the ground up.”
A Brand Forged With Purpose
The name The Foundry Gastropub is no coincidence. It reflects both the history of craft and the philosophy behind the restaurant.
“In a foundry, raw materials are shaped into something lasting — something stronger,” Goewey explains. “That’s how we view hospitality. We take foundational elements — great ingredients, honest technique, thoughtful service — and forge them into elevated experiences.”
The hammer and anvil featured in the branding aren’t ornamental. They represent craftsmanship, resilience and the pursuit of something enduring. Goewey wants guests to feel that intention the moment they walk through the door — hospitality forged, not fabricated.
Elevated Yet Comforting
Gastropubs are still a relatively new concept for many diners, but Goewey describes it simply: “It’s where elevated food and drink meet the warmth and ease of a place that feels like home.”
At The Foundry, this philosophy translates to a chef-driven, seasonal menu built on scratch cooking and honest flavors. Nothing is rushed, and nothing is added for show. The same care extends to the beverage program—cocktails made with technique and attention, a curated but approachable wine list, and local beers that honor the community.
“More than anything, we want the experience to feel good,” Goewey says. “Familiar food done exceptionally well. Drinks that make you pause. Hospitality that feels warm and truly caring.”
Why Franklin and Why Now
For Goewey, opening in downtown Franklin wasn’t just a business decision — it was rooted in alignment.
“Franklin has this remarkable blend of charm, momentum and community pride,” he says. “People here genuinely care about supporting local businesses that add something meaningful to downtown.”
A key figure in Goewey’s decision was building owner and community leader Fred Paris. Paris, known for mentoring small business owners and investing in Franklin’s walkable downtown, believed in The Foundry from the beginning.
“Fred has been an incredible supporter,” Goewey says. “Having him support the project gave me the confidence that this concept belonged here.”
The community’s response has been immediate and enthusiastic—proof, Goewey says, that Franklin was ready for a place like The Foundry Gastropub.
Design With Soul and Substance
Though the space exudes sophistication, it’s far from pretentious. Industrial ironwork meets warm wood tones, tufted leather softens exposed brick, elegant marble merges with handcrafted textures.
What sets the atmosphere apart is the story behind the materials.
Reclaimed doors from Monrovia, Indiana, bring the past forward. Dining tables crafted from reclaimed Texas wood carry history that adds warmth and character. A striking wall of shou sugi ban wood — a Japanese technique of flame-treating timber for durability — adds depth and artistry.
At the heart of the space sits the brass-accented bar, a vintage piece that anchors the room with old-world charm.
“Every element had to feel right,” Goewey says. “Nothing was chosen just to fill space. As the pieces came together, the room took on a life of its own.”
The result mirrors Goewey’s approach to hospitality: thoughtful, inviting and rooted in genuine care.
Food With Heart, Drinks With Intention
The Foundry’s menu reflects Goewey’s belief that comfort food deserves respect. Scratch-made dishes lean into bold, welcoming flavors. Seasonal ingredients drive creativity, but technique and fundamentals remain the backbone of the kitchen.
“It matters to us that what we serve feels genuine,” he says. “Comforting, honest, made with heart.”
The same philosophy shapes the bar program. Whether a cocktail, beer or glass of wine, every drink is crafted with intention—familiar yet elevated.
A Team Built on Genuine Hospitality
For Goewey, The Foundry Gastropub’s culture begins with trust. While he sets the vision, he credits a close-knit leadership team with bringing it to life every day.
“The Foundry Gastropub is owned and operated by me,” Goewey says, “but it’s truly brought to life by a team I trust deeply.”
Executive Chef Josh Fields anchors the kitchen with refined technique and thoughtful creativity shaped by his experience at Eataly and the Bottleworks Hotel. Ronda Wright, manager at The Foundry, brings more than a decade of hospitality experience from respected concepts including Livery, Mesh in downtown Indianapolis, Hal’s Fabulous Vegas in Greenwood, and Ford’s Garage in Avon.
Together, they form a leadership team united by care, craft and a shared commitment to making every guest feel genuinely welcomed — values that ripple through the entire staff.
“At The Foundry, culture isn’t a buzzword,” Goewey adds. “It’s the standard we live by.”
Looking Ahead
Goewey doesn’t measure success by expansion or accolades. Instead, he’s focused on becoming a cornerstone of the community.
“My hope is that The Foundry Gastropub grows right alongside Franklin,” he says. “I’m not here to impose a concept—I’m here to listen and serve in a way that feels authentic to the people who call this place home.”
Guests can expect seasonal menu evolutions, thoughtful programming and continued collaboration within the community. Above all, The Foundry remains committed to quality and genuine connection.
“If we stay rooted in our values and connected to Franklin,” Goewey says, “we’ll always be a place where people feel welcomed and truly cared for.”
In a building steeped in history, The Foundry Gastropub is forging something new — something built to last, crafted with intention and shaped by the heart of Franklin itself.
The Foundry Gastropub is located at 90 East Jefferson Street in Franklin. For more information, visit them online at thefoundrygastropub.com or call 317-868-8041.
