Bobby Flay has been appearing on our favourite Food Network shows for many years, and during that time the mega-successful celebrity chef has amassed an enormous personal fortune. The 56-year-old reality star is estimated to be worth in the region of $30 million, making him easily one of the richest professional chefs in the world. Having dropped out of high school at 17, Flay has done very well for himself, and worked incredibly hard climbing the greasy pole of the restaurant business, acquiring several restaurants under his name and starring in a host of popular TV shows which have made him a household name.
Bobby recently announced that he's leaving the Food Network after working for over 27 years at the channel and presenting numerous successful shows for the network. All those years of hard work have certainly paid off financially. So, how exactly did Bobby amass his enormous fortune?
6 He's Been In The Restaurant Business A Very Long Time
Bobby sure knows a thing or two about the restaurant business, and this isn't by accident. He's been working in, and owning, restaurants for over 30 years. In 1984, he graduated from the French Culinary Institute, and was one of its star pupils. Shortly after, in 1991, he opened his first restaurant, Mesa Grill, in New York City. It wasn't long after that Bobby began acquiring more restaurants and building his empire, and by virtue of simply being in the business for so long, he's had a huge amount of time to gather his wealth.
5 And Owns A Lot Of Restaurants
Having a lot of restaurants to generate revenue has also been a big earner for Bobby. Since 1991, he has continued to expand his business holdings, purchasing and starting up more and more restaurants. One of his biggest earners is the multi-city chain Bobby's Burger Palace. As of May 2019, it's believed that Flay owns 20 restaurants across the US
4 He's Had Stints On Plenty Of TV Shows
Bobby has the earning power to make at least $100,000 for a single public appearance, so when you consider how many TV show's he has starred or appeared in, that really racks up. He's been seen on many big shows over the course of his career, having led 14 series for the Food Network. Iron Chef was perhaps his biggest gig - he appeared on the show for 17 years before famously leaving in 2018.
3 Bobby Has Also Released Several Successful Cook Books
Cook books can also be a real money-spinner for celebrity chefs. Fans lap them up, and the sales figures are often very impressive. Flay happily jumped on the gravy train, and has penned and released no less than 10 cookbooks! They include the bestsellers Bobby Flay's Bold American Food, Bobby Flay's Bar Americain Cookbook: Celebrate America's Great Flavors, and even Bobby Flay Fit: 200 Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle.
2 He's Also Made Wise Investments
It's clear that Bobby is not just a great chef, but also a very astute businessman. His track record in investments attests to this. In addition to his restaurants, books, and TV deals, Bobby has also bought into the ready meal market, buying into the company Daily Harvest. Yes, though many chefs espouse the benefits of home-cooked food, they also understand that people live busy lives and often want to eat fast where they can. Daily Harvest has been extremely successful, and according to Forbes is 'shaking up' the competitive microwave meal market.
1 He's Even Gotten In On The Fitness Craze
As if Bobby hadn't diversified enough, he's also entered into the fitness industry. Together with his recipe book Bobby Flay Fit: 200 Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle and his public talks about health, fitness, and motivation, Bobby has established himself as something of a health guru when it comes to eating yourself to wellness. His brand image has become focussed on healthy eating, something incredibly popular right now.
Its clear that Bobby has been able to amass his enormous $30 million fortune by using his incredible business skills. By first building up his restaurant business, he was able to gain his initial amount and then build a name for himself around a brand. From there, he was able to diversify into a host of highly lucrative business ventures which allowed his wealth to multiply several times over. The royalty revenues he earns from his books and TV shows will be considerable, and Flay's savvy use of social media also allows him to build a brand reputation which extends into excellent sales for his various products and ultimately, more dollars in his account.
Ever heard the theory about building seven streams of income to become a millionaire? Well, it seems like Bobby may have written the book on it!