MYRTLE BEACH, SC – The Ellie Beach Resort, a new Tapestry Collection by Hilton property on Myrtle Beach’s historic Springmaid Beach, announces the appointment of Kaitlyn Lofgren as director of food and beverage.
In her role, Lofgren oversees the resort’s full dining and bar portfolio, including Ocean Blue Restaurant & Lounge, the resort’s signature waterfront restaurant; Southern Tide Bar & Grill, a casual open-air spot offering coastal favorites and cocktails; The Market, a convenient grab-and-go option for snacks and beverages; and The Pool Bar, serving handcrafted cocktails and daily happy hour. She will lead menu development, service standards and overall programming across each venue, ensuring that each concept reflects The Ellie’s lively coastal atmosphere and guest-focused approach.
Lofgren brings nearly a decade of resort hospitality experience, advancing from front-line service roles to senior leadership positions. Most recently, she served as senior food and beverage manager at the 1,000-room Tradewinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach, where she oversaw three high-volume restaurants and bars generating multimillion-dollar annual revenues. Her responsibilities included financial forecasting, labor management, menu and beverage development, inventory controls and daily operations. Earlier in her career, she managed a $2.3 million waterfront restaurant and helped drive record-breaking sales following a full concept refresh.
Lofgren is recognized for her steady and collaborative management style and ability to support cross-departmental operations. She is ServSafe Manager Certified and a graduate of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute, with a strong focus on training, mentorship and long-term team development. Her philosophy centers on creating welcoming, social and approachable dining experiences that encourage guests to gather, connect and return throughout their stay.
“Kaitlyn brings exceptional operational expertise to The Ellie,” said Robert Pici, general manager of The Ellie Beach Resort. “She understands how to balance strong financial performance with thoughtful leadership and has a proven ability to build engaged teams while elevating the overall guest experience across every dining touchpoint.”
The Ellie Beach Resort is located at 3200 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. For more information, visit theelliebeachresort.com, call 843.315.7100, or follow The Ellie on Instagram and Facebook.