Welcome to your new favorite restaurant blog. The Restaurant Realtor is a platform to learn about the latest restaurant industry information in the New Jersey market. My goal is to be a resource for those seasoned restauranteurs, first-time buyers, and dedicated restaurant employees, making information simple, convenient, and fun.

My years of vast experience in the industry at my age sets me apart from the competition. I started where any 15-year-old would when trying to get their first job…a phone girl at a local and popular salumeria (IFYKYK). Working my way through the ranks, I helped open a second location with a new concept while making sure to also prioritize school. College looked a little different than my friends’ experiences; commuting twice a week to campus to take 20 credits per semester, allowed me to work a paid internship for 30 hours/week at NJ’s largest Applebee’s franchisee and graduate early. When I wasn’t visiting friends who went out of state colleges, I had a rotation hosting/waitressing at a few restaurants. If you’re doing the math, your analysis is correct. I didn’t sleep. And I loved. every. second.

My internship turned into a full-time offer. I stayed at Doherty Enterprises as Marketing Specialist for 3 years before taking on my next role as Membership Director at the NJRHA for 4 years. But I didn’t stop there. Back to my roots, I studied nights and weekends for the NJ real estate exam, when I wasn’t serving part-time. September 2022, I became a New Jersey licensed real estate agent, or better known as, The Restaurant Realtor.

The restaurant industry has a way of pulling you in. You either love it and lean into it or hate it and leave. I’m a “Life-er”. My journey has been nothing short of amazing, and it’s only the beginning. I am so excited to bring over a decade of personal experience and knowledge to YOU through this platform.

Cheers 🥂

Jennifer Bono