Timeline of Bethenny Frankel's Supermodel Cafe
Happy Saturday! I don't see many people on here talking about Bethenny's Supermodel branding itself. I thought looking at the timeline was pretty interesting. Bethenny says she launched the cafe from idea to restaurant in 52 days. Here's the Substack I wrote on it, but I transcribed the bulk of it onto this post so you can read it here.
- April 18, 2025: Frankel posts her first-ever Supermodel Snack. It’s basically a sandwich with tomato as the bread.
- May 31, 2025: Frankel walks in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show, creating a viral moment. Her Supermodel Snack from April suddenly goes viral, because people want to look like Bethenny.
- September 25, 2025: Frankel posts a new Supermodel Snack, cementing the viral moment as a series.
- June 22, 2026: Frankel speaks on an Amazon Ads Panel on AI at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The idea for the cafe is born on this panel, according to Frankel herself:
- Julyish 2026:
- Frankel partners with Goldberg’s Bagels for the Cafe.
- July 30, 2026:
- Goldberg’s Bagels and Frankel jointly announce the Supermodel Cafe on Instagram. It will open on August 13, 2026 in East Quogue, New York.
- People Magazine releases part of the Supermodel Cafe’s menu. Real Housewives fans on Reddit did not receive it well. Her core audience on Instagram is very supportive.
- August 10, 2026: The Supermodel Cafe announces its hours on Instagram.
- August 12, 2026: Frankel reveals there will be a complimentary Supermodel Cafe gift bag for the first 50 in line for the opening. She is notably surprised that one of the products is in there.
- Before August 13, 2026: ALLEGEDLY, Southampton Town issues notices of a Stop-Work Order.
- August 13, 2026:
- The Supermodel Cafe opens to long lines of her supporters. This means it took just 52 days to take the Supermodel Cafe from idea to being fully operational to the public. And the cast of Vanderpump Rules wept.
- Southampton Town officially puts a Stop-Work Order on the door for violating New York State building codes, Town of Southampton zoning rules, plus ALLEGEDLY creating “a dangerous and unsafe condition.”
- Frankel responds via Instagram, stating the Order only applies to construction work. The cafe stays open and serves food despite the previous allegation.
- August 14, 2025:
- Frankel reports she already has an offer to expand in St. Barts.
- Exact date of the interview unknown, but Spotlight Magazine releases an interview in which Frankel states she has “no idea” how she’ll “deal with the crowds” for The Supermodel Cafe.
- August 15, 2026: The Supermodel Cafe’s hours are reduced via an Instagram post. The comments are noticeably less supportive than the announcement.
Coming Soon:
- The Supermodel Cookbook, duh. We’re constructing another Skinnygirl here (as long as we resolve those pesky stop-work orders).
Do I believe that she opened the cafe in 52 days? Yes, because she didn't have to shop for a location, it was provided by Goldberg's. Plus, the hold-up for restaurants is usually getting proper food and equipment permits, and I'm assuming the Goldberg's location could've already cleared those.
Do I believe that she should have opened the cafe in 52 days? No, because clearly they didn't have the permits entirely sorted out, and there was alleged danger having to do with the cafe according to the state of New York and Southampton Town.
Southampton town reports it may pursue additional violations, so we'll see about that.
Have a great weekend, divas!