Welcome to Rise N Shine Diner – Syracuse, NY
We don’t do boring here. At Rise N Shine, we’ve flipped the classic American diner on its head—serving up wild, whimsical, and ridiculously delicious takes on Breakfast, Brunch, and Brinner (yep, breakfast for dinner is a thing, and it’s glorious).
Our 3 B’s are more than meals. Think epic French toast that’s deep-fried, stuffed, and pressed. Think pancake sushi, cereal milk lattes, and brunch cocktails that sparkle with personality. Every plate is made to turn heads (and fill bellies), because food should be fun and fabulous.
We believe the ultimate luxury in life is kicking back with your favorite people, laughing too loud, and digging into something unforgettable. So grab a fork, raise a mimosa, and let’s make some breakfast magic—morning, noon, or night.
My name is Danielle, the owner of The Rise N Shine and the Chief of Flavor behind all of these CRAZY food items. Sooo where do I begin...
This business didn’t just give me a job. It gave me purpose. It shaped me into who I am—and, along the way, gave me the honor of impacting others’ lives too. The restaurant and hospitality world have become the rhythm of my life, and with every plate we serve, I’ve realized my true calling: to connect people through really great food, every single day.
There’s a lot of heart and history baked into Rise N Shine. So here it is—how it all started.
Back in 2009, I was in one of the darkest seasons of my life. I had just lost my job, had three daughters to care for, no savings, no direction—just fear. I prayed hard. I prayed for a sign, for anything. And I swear, right in that very moment, the phone rang…
It was my stepdad, Tommy Rozzano. He told me about a job opening at this little place called The Rise N Shine Diner. A friend of his, Pete Henessey, was looking for a full-time waitress—and I clearly needed a full-time miracle.
I remember trying to find the diner and driving in circles. There were no flashy signs, just a tiny old building hidden behind a Valvoline. I almost gave up. But when I finally pulled in, Pete was there waiting, and from the moment I walked through the door, I felt something. He welcomed me like family. I didn’t know it yet, but that day, my life completely changed.
Pete became a mentor, a friend, and eventually like an uncle to me. I fell in love with the place and its people. I saw magic in that little, worn-down diner, and I wanted to help build something special with him.
Years later, Pete got sick—leukemia. It was devastating. One day in the hospital, he called me to his bedside. He didn’t have any family, but he saw something in me. He asked if I’d take over the diner. I was stunned. Humbled. Terrified. But Pete looked at me and said, “You were built for this.” I still hear his words today.
I tried to hold down the fort while he fought to get better… but he didn’t make it. Losing Pete was heartbreaking. But I knew the only way to honor him was to keep going. So in 2011, I took over Rise N Shine. No plan B. Just the drive to keep building what he started—and what I knew could become something incredible.
Over the years, I took risks. I dreamed big. We created four entirely new restaurant concepts—each one bold, creative, and full of heart. Three of those concepts eventually came to a close, but they weren’t failures—they were part of the journey. Each one taught me something, pushed my creativity further, and helped define who I am as a restaurateur. But through it all, one thing remained constant: Rise N Shine.
This diner—the very first spark of it all—is the one that lasted. The one that grew stronger with every challenge. The one that has not only been our most successful concept, but also the most meaningful. It’s a love story between food and people, a place where joy is served daily, and where we keep rising, shining, and grinding with everything we’ve got.
Today, Rise N Shine is more than a restaurant. It’s a living story, written by every person who walks through our doors. And it’s still just getting started.
We RISE—every single day. We SHINE—through joy, grit, and the little things that make life sweet. We GRIND—because it takes a whole lot of heart (and hustle) to do what we do.
So come on in. Laugh loud. Eat well. And stay a while.
~Danielle~ xxoo
