Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2012 | Page 47

R E C O N N E C T : Frank Bonanno
By Kerry Pipes

Holding Court

Catching up with Las Vegas food court king Frank Bonanno

W

hen we heard Frank Bonanno
had been named 2012 Vetrepreneur of the Year by the National Veteran-Owned Business Association, we had to catch up with him to
find out what else he’s been up to since we
last profiled him in this magazine 2 years
ago (3rd quarter 2010).
Bonanno, now 70, says he was honored to
receive the annual award, which recognizes
the finest role models in the veteran-owned
business arena. And though he admits to
“slowing down a little,” Bonanno says he
has no plans to exit the business quite yet.
How could he? His business has grown
to include 47 franchised locations employing more than 700 in the Las Vegas area.
That qualifies him as a “dominator” by
any standard. His brands include Nathan’s
Famous restaurants, Häagen-Dazs, Johnny
Rockets, and four Bonanno’s New York
Pizzeria restaurants, just to name a few.
Name: Frank Bonanno
Title: President
Company: Fifth Avenue Restaurant

Group

No. of units: Franchised: 13

Nathan’s Famous, 9 Häagen-Dazs,
5 Johnny Rockets. Proprietary: 4
New York Pretzel, 4 Bonanno’s
New York Pizzeria, 2 Rosie’s
Pizzeria, 2 Original Chicken
Tender, 2 L.A. Subs & Salads,
and 1 each of NYP Pizzeria, San
Gennaro Grill, Trattoria Reggiano,
Asian Fresh, Pan Asian Express,
Bella Panini.
Age: 70 
Family: Wife, Betty; children
Robb, Maria, Gigi, and
Joey; daughter-in-law Allison;
granddaughter Isabella.
Years in franchising: 29
Years in current position: 29

Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s u e IV, 2012



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