Meet Erika Fitzpatrick, one of the newest outside sales representatives at PMR, covering healthcare and school operators south and east of Atlanta. We sat down with Erika for our latest PMR Preview interview to get to know the person behind the role — how she found her way into the foodservice equipment industry, what she looks for in a great rep group, and what she's up to when she's not visiting kitchens. Get to know Erika in her own words below.
I’ve spent most of my life in or around the restaurant industry, along with holding a variety of sales roles over the years—everything from suits to wine. Those paths eventually came together when a friend referred me to a sales opportunity with TriMark, and I remember thinking, “Well, I’ve used restaurant equipment before.”
I never expected to end up in this field, but it’s proven to be far more rewarding than I ever imagined.
Having worked with manufacturer rep groups over the years, I developed clear preferences—not just based on the brands they represented, but on the expertise, professionalism, and accessibility of their reps. The team at PMR consistently earned my respect, and they were always a pleasure to work with. When I decided to pursue a new career path, PMR was at the top of my list.
My position is outside sales.
Healthcare and schools, mostly south and east of Atlanta.
For me, the most rewarding part of any job comes down to hospitality—helping people find solutions that make their lives easier. I’ve always been drawn to creating positive experiences, whether that’s making someone smile or providing meaningful service.
It’s not always about making a sale. Sometimes it’s simply about listening, understanding their challenges, or offering a fresh perspective, maybe even a new twist on a recipe. At its core, it’s all about building genuine connections with people.
The people! We all represent great brands, but when the sale is more important than the customer—it shows. Great rep groups make the customer’s satisfaction priority and are willing to help the customer find the best solution—even if it does not yield a sale.
By asking a lot of questions and trying to understand their pain points and what would improve their productivity.
Combi ovens because they have so many applications and can directly impact the bottom line. The return on investment is substantial.
Since I’m new to PMR, I’ve most enjoyed meeting all the amazing people who work here. I’ve been really impressed with how knowledgeable and team-oriented everyone is.
One of the reasons I was drawn to PMR is the company culture. Business is why we’re all here, but there is a sincere appreciation for the fact that we all work to provide for our families and enjoy life outside of our work.
Showing up and following up. Answering the phone goes a long way in this industry. The phrase that has always stuck with me is “Under promise and over deliver”.
Likely that I’m friendly, helpful and a bit of a smart-ass.
I’m a huge Formula 1 racing fan.
I love running, hiking, cooking, home improvement and spending time with my kiddos.
Beef Stroganoff or Beef Bourgogne. Really anything braised.
There are so many great restaurants in the Atlanta area, but the one that my kids and I always get excited about is North China Eatery.
Early bird. I fall asleep by 9 most nights.
I don’t order coffee out, but if I did, it would be a breve latte (espresso and cream instead of milk).
At this moment, it would be a gas range because I recently moved into a house that has an electric range.
I’m a Florida girl through and through—Go Gators, Go Jags!
Spain. Predominantly Galicia and the Basque Country.