Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2012 | Page 48

R E C O N N E C T : Frank Bonanno
PERSONAL
Key accomplishments: Served as officer in U.S. Army; founder of Fifth
Avenue Restaurant Group, which has become the largest quick-serve restaurant
company in the Las Vegas hotel/casino market.
Biggest mistake: Too many to list.
Smartest mistake: Focusing our business on the Las Vegas hotel/casino
market.
How do you spend a typical day? I don’t have a typical day, I spend
my time between office, restaurants, and business meetings.
Work week: Five to seven days, depending on workload; typically 60 to 70
hours.
Favorite fun activities: Vacationing with my family.
The New Jersey native says his love of
food and cooking trace back to growing
up in an Italian-American family. On his
route to his present-day success, Bonanno
earned a degree from a culinary institute
and worked in restaurants before joining
the Army during the Vietnam era. After
serving for three years, he was honorably
discharged and rejoined civilian life in
California in 1970, where he went to work
for ARA Services (now Aramark).
He made his way back to New Jersey,
and by 1974 had teamed up with two like-

Exercise/workout: 3 to 5 days per week, mostly aerobics.
Favorite tech toys: Computer, iPhone.
What are you reading? Trade magazines, Time, and any John Grisham
novel.
Do you have a favorite quote/advice? Be the best that you can be.
Best advice yo RWfW"v