We are the Advisors of The Stone Restaurant Real Estate Team
Our all-star team of restaurant real estate professionals looks forward to serving you.
Joe Blanton
Founder & President
Joe Blanton is a commercial real estate advisor, restaurateur, and Marine Corps veteran. With a B.S. degree in Marketing from California State University, Chico, and culinary training from The French Culinary Institute in New York City, Joe brings a unique blend of business acumen and hospitality expertise. As Founder and President of Stone Real Estate, Joe leads the Restaurant Real Estate Team and leverages his team's decades of experience along with their proprietary CLEAR system to help Corporate, Franchised, and Regional restaurant brands grow successfully. Joe is a member of the National Restaurant Association, the International Franchise Association, ICSC, and Lambda Chi Alpha.
Ritchie Labate
Executive Vice President
Prior to joining Stone Business Sales, Ritchie was Managing Director at a national franchise restaurant resale brokerage, established a business financial auditing and franchise consulting business, was a partner at a mid-market M&A firm and lastly, a franchisee of a global QSR chain.
Ritchie has served as a Mentor for the University of California, Davis, Center for Entrepreneurship, was a contributing member of the International Franchise Professionals Group, and an “Expert Advice” Business Column Contributor for the Sacramento Business Journal. He is a Certified Business Broker (CBB), Certified Franchise Consultant (CFC), and has been honored as both Franchise Consultant of the Month and Franchise Consultant of the Year, by a large, national franchise system.
Brett Wells
Director of Brokerage
Brett is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Finance. Prior to working with Stone Real Estate,, Brett worked with a high-performing national investment sales team based in the Bay Area. During his time in the Bay Area he had the opportunity to contribute to countless closings across the country to meet a variety of client needs.
Today, Brett is an advisor on the Restaurant Real Estate Team, helping our Corporate, Franchised, and Regional Restaurant clients grow successfully. In his free time, Brett enjoys playing pick-up basketball, going to the gym, traveling, and discovering new music.
John Newcomb
Vice President
John is a dynamic, results-driven professional with a B.S. in Finance from the University of Oregon and a solid background in property management and project coordination. He has proven expertise in managing large-scale property remodels and maintenance, working effectively with diverse teams, and navigating complex projects to successful completion. As an advisor on the Restaurant Real Estate Team, John is dedicated to providing exceptional tenant representation services, leveraging his in-depth knowledge and skills to the benefit of his clients.
Grace Nannini
Associate
As an advisor with the Restaurant Real Estate Team, Grace brings a powerful combination of academic expertise and hands-on experience to the industry. With a solid foundation in business marketing from CSU Chico, her approach blends academic knowledge with practical expertise, focusing on delivering exceptional results for clients in today's dynamic real estate market. Known for her passion, hard work, and goal-oriented mindset, she is dedicated to helping clients achieve their real estate objectives with integrity and professionalism.
Grace is an avid learner, constantly seeking to expand her skills and knowledge. She enjoys the beauty of Lake Tahoe and value quality time with friends and family. Her joy for outdoor activities and new adventures continually broadens her perspective, contributing to both my personal and professional growth.
Sebastien Fischer
Associate
Sebastien is a Finance student at USC Marshall and an advisor with the Restaurant Real Estate Team. With extensive exposure to the food industry through his family and professional experience, he leverages this background in commercial real estate (CRE) to help Corporate, Franchised, and Regional restaurant clients grow successfully. Outside the office, Sebastien is an avid skier, traveler, car enthusiast, and has recently discovered a love for golf.
Joey Petrali
Associate
Mike Chernioglo
Associate
Gaige Silas-Clark
Associate
Robin Warraich
Associate
Testimonials
The Stone Restaurant Real Estate Team has been instrumental in Sourdough & Co's incredible growth. Their expertise in site selection, market analysis, and lease negotiations helped us expand from 10 to nearly 100 locations. Their dedication, insights, and partnership have been invaluable to our success. I highly recommend their services.