Bethenny Frankel is giving new meaning to being a “supermodel” at 55.
The former “Real Housewives of New York City” star has transformed a playful social media concept into her latest business venture, Supermodel Cafe. But for Frankel, the name isn’t about looking a certain way. It represents confidence, reinvention and having fun at any age.
The entrepreneur opened the first Supermodel Cafe pop-up in East Quogue, New York, on August 13, bringing some of the foods and recipes that have become popular with her millions of social media followers into a physical space.
Bethenny Frankel Explains What ‘Supermodel’ Really Means
Supermodel Cafe grew from the “supermodel snacks” Frankel has shared online, including her takes on chicken salad, bagels and other favorites.
Frankel told the Daily Mail that the Supermodel name is meant to be “tongue-in-cheek and fun,” rather than something people should take too seriously.
She also described the new venture as the “next iteration” of Skinnygirl, the brand that helped establish her as a major entrepreneur beyond reality television.
Frankel previously gave more insight into the philosophy behind the concept while discussing the cafe with People.
“Supermodel is about confidence,” she told the outlet, explaining that she wanted the brand to be fun rather than intimidating. The concept grew out of recipes and food combinations that attracted significant attention on her social media accounts.
The East Quogue pop-up features Frankel’s chicken salad, protein-forward bagels, spreads, cheesecake, specialty lattes, and other offerings. She also plans to take the brand beyond the temporary Hamptons location, telling Long Island Business News that nationwide distribution is planned for the fall.
Her ‘Supermodel’ Era Became Bigger Than She Expected
The name also arrives during an unexpected modeling chapter for Frankel.
At 55, she made her rookie debut in the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue after previously walking the publication’s runway show. Sports Illustrated photographed Frankel in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico, for the magazine.
Frankel later explained on her website that becoming an SI Swimsuit rookie was never something she planned.
Instead, she viewed the experience as an opportunity to “be confident, lean into it and take chances.”
That attitude is central to what Frankel says her “supermodel era” represents. Rather than trying to transform herself into somebody else, she described it as knowing what works for her and showing up as herself.
Her approach has also resonated with women around her age. Frankel told Us Weekly in June that she hadn’t initially realized how much her Sports Illustrated moment would mean to other women.
“I feel more free,” she said of this stage of her life, adding that she feels “happy” and “proud.” Frankel said the response made her recognize how women can sometimes feel “discarded” or as though they have aged out of certain experiences.
Bethenny Frankel Keeps Her Lifestyle Simple at 55
Despite the “Supermodel” label, Frankel isn’t presenting her lifestyle as an intense fitness transformation.
She told the Daily Mail that she doesn’t regularly hit the gym, although she occasionally practices yoga and walks on the beach when she can. “I also never stop moving,” Frankel said.
Her approach to food is similarly centered on balance. Frankel said she doesn’t binge and instead chooses when to indulge, eating smaller portions of richer foods while making lighter choices at other times.
That philosophy has influenced the Supermodel Cafe menu. Her chicken salad, for example, uses less mayonnaise than a traditional version, while other offerings include protein-forward bagels and a cheesecake containing 10 grams of protein.
The business also represents something of a career reinvention.
Frankel revealed to Us Weekly that before her recent social media success evolved into new opportunities, she had actually been considering stepping away. Instead, the enormous response to her bagels, “supermodel snacks,” and other food content inspired another chapter in her business.
