The Diner Industry at a Glance
Posted by estiator at 6 April, at 05 : 20 AM Print
By: Robert Gillis,
NJ Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Contributing Writer: Courtney Ciandella, Marketing Coordinator
BIELAT SANTORE & COMPANY, 201 MAIN STREET, ALLENHURST, NJ
There are currently well over 500 diners in New Jersey giving the state the deserving title of “Diner Capital of the World.” They range from the prefab, sleek, silver bullet or railroad car types to the next generation of neon and stainless-steel structures to the diverse site-built designs we have come to know today. These side-of-the-road eateries are known for their window booths, counter service, juke boxes, local themes and convenient round the clock hours. Ever since 1912, when the first “lunch wagon”—the horse-drawn precursor to modern diners—was purchased and built in a Bayonne home and set up shop on a street in West Hoboken, known today as Union City, the concept caught on to be much more.
So, what is it that attracted us to these diners in the first place? It’s probably the always accessible 24-hour service; breakfast anytime; owner always on premises to greet you and address any complaints; extensive menu—something for all members of the family; “all baking done on premises”; daily specials featuring all American comfort foods— homemade soups, meatloaf, chicken pot pie, pot roast, club sandwiches, open hot sandwiches and the must-have French fries ’n gravy, or disco fries…just to name a few. When you think about it, the Jersey diner has really been an integral part of our lives.
However, like all food-and-beverage-related businesses, diners have had their fair share of challenges, especially with a concept that is ever-evolving. Breakfast chains like IHOP, Perkins and Denny’s stake their claim near every hotel, motel and anywhere else in need of an all-hours service, while Dunkin’ and Starbucks have saturated the competition for the perfect ground of coffee beans. And at a time when baby boomer diner owners are getting ready to retire, they struggle to keep their traditional “family business” in the family as their children are opting for careers as doctors, lawyers and business professionals.
So, what does the future hold for our beloved NJ diners? As a NJ Licensed Real Estate professional at Bielat Santore & Company, who has been exclusively involved in the sale of food-and-beverage-related businesses and real estate for over 40 years, I have decided to give special attention to the diner marketplace. I find it to be a vibrant market with many opportunities for both buyers and sellers.
My food and beverage experience spans beyond my time in hospitality real estate. I have also been the owner and operator of six successful bars and restaurants before stepping over to the other side of the business. My expertise within the restaurant business, as well as the contacts I have made throughout my career, made me the ideal point-of-contact for restaurateurs looking to buy or sell their businesses. While I anticipated the position as a RE salesperson would allow me to instill my knowledge and experience in other aspiring restaurateurs and share late-night hour bar stories with likeminded bar owners, to my surprise I was getting more interest in diners.
Since then, I have developed a fascination with the diner industry—the all-hours service, wide variety menu, casual and often quirky atmosphere, with some traditional locations showcasing murals along the walls and bright colors splattered throughout. A business that has been around since my grandparent’s generation, serving everything from New Jersey’s signature pork roll egg and cheese (or for argument’s sake, Taylor Ham egg and cheese) to full-course steak dinners. I have been intrigued by their continuous popularity with customers of all ages filling their booths, and how they’ve managed to outlive many other establishments, even those that have chosen to keep their retro-style décor from in the ’50s.
From my personal experience, the diner scene is still a go-to “ dining location for many as New Jersey continues to hold its title as the “Diner Capital of the World” strong and proud.
Regardless of the breakfast/lunch spots that have populated over the years, people still favor the experience of dining at a diner. When anything your stomach could possibly crave is at your fingertips, it’s hard not to gravitate towards the big neon lights illuminating off the highway. From my personal experience, the diner scene is still a go-to dining location for many as New Jersey continues to hold its title as the “Diner Capital of the World” strong and proud.
As New Jersey possesses the reins as the state with the most-loved diners, I decided to adopt the “Diner Bob” moniker and embrace the name. While I am highly qualified to sell any kind of food-and-beverage business, with or without real estate, diners have become my specialty within a Garden State that thrives in the industry. Whether you are interested in purchasing an ever-loving diner or selling yours to another deserving party, “Diner Bob” is your guy.
Licensed NJ Real Estate Broker
Bielat Santore & Company, 201 Main Street, Allenhurst, NJ Phone: 732-531-4200 Cell: 732-673-3436 Web: www.123bsc.com
