Kern's Bakery Business Strategy Intern

Who We Are: 

Four Stones Group is a real estate investment, development, and advisory firm headquartered in Atlanta focused on community-driven development and creating places that foster connection and long-term value. Guided by thoughtful design, local engagement, and responsible stewardship, the firm transforms spaces into meaningful destinations.

As the owner of Kern’s Bakery, a vibrant and reimagined food hall in Knoxville, Four Stones Group is dedicated to building an inclusive environment that brings people together. Kern’s Bakery is designed to be the destination—promoting community and enriching lives through craveable food and memorable experiences. Its approach is rooted in creating a fun and engaging atmosphere, delivering high-quality food and experiences, fostering a strong sense of community, and practicing responsible stewardship in how it operates and grows.

Internship Overview: 

This highly selective, project-based internship invites 4 rising juniors and seniors at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in a field within the Haslam College of Business, Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTM), or Retail and Merchandising Management (RMM) to work directly on real-world growth initiatives for Kern’s Bakery. Interns will function as a strategic consulting team, developing actionable recommendations that directly impact business performance and long-term brand positioning.

Interns will tackle real business challenges, collaborate with stakeholders, and present solutions to leadership. Projects will support Kern’s mission to drive profitability, increase foot traffic, and strengthen performance.

Throughout the experience, interns will focus on key objectives including increasing top-line food hall revenue, creating a loyal University of Tennessee student customer base, and building lasting brand equity for Kern’s Bakery.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct market research on student preferences, spending habits, and dining trends
• Analyze current business performance and identify growth opportunities
• Develop marketing, events, and partnership strategies tailored to college audiences
• Explore pricing, promotions, and vendor mix optimization
• Collaborate with Kern’s Bakery operators and vendors for insights and feedback
• Consistently collect and analyze performance data
• Submit Spring strategy plan before Winter Break and a final strategic recommendation to Four Stones Group leadership in April

Ideal Candidates:

• Rising Juniors and Seniors in the Haslam College of Business OR majoring in Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTM) or Retail and Merchandising Management (RMM)
• Must be full time students during both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Semesters 
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Interest in real estate, hospitality, marketing, or entrepreneurship
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment
• Well versed in AI and its capabilities to problem solve  
• Self-starters who are comfortable navigating ambiguity and proposing bold ideas

Internship Duration and Hours

• Start date for this Internship is August 24, 2026
• End Date is April 2027
• Biweekly Learning Sessions in Fall Semester
• Expected commitment of approximately 10-12 hours per week throughout the academic year (August-April), with flexibility during exam periods

Location:

Kern’s Bakery: 2201 Kerns Rising Way, Knoxville, TN 37920 

Compensation

Winning partnership: 2 interns, each receive $5,000

Second Winning partnership: 2 interns, each receive $2,500

*Project proposed by intern partnership will have objective measurables to determine winner at the end of Spring 2027

If students would like to receive academic course credit, the Internship Coordinator will work with them to ensure all required steps are completed throughout the internship.

How to Apply

Please submit a short video response addressing the following prompts:

• Why are you interested in this internship? (What are you wanting to learn?)
• What makes you the best candidate for this internship? (What are you great at?)

Along with your video, please include your resume.

Please email both your resume and your video responses to elle.roberts@fourstonesgrp.com by June 30 (may change depending on application volume)