Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea Hurley, have transformed the idea of dining out into a powerful act of community support through the creation of JBJ Soul Kitchen, a series of community restaurants in New Jersey that operate without traditional prices.

According to Mashed, JBJ Soul Kitchen follows a unique “pay-it-forward” model. Instead of ordering from a menu with fixed prices, guests are invited to make a voluntary donation for their meal. Those who are unable to pay are still warmly welcomed and encouraged to enjoy a nutritious, restaurant-quality meal at no cost. Guests who are able to donate more are invited to cover the cost of someone else’s meal, creating a cycle of generosity and shared responsibility.

The mission of JBJ Soul Kitchen, as outlined by the organization itself, is to offer “community dining with dignity.” Meals are made using locally sourced ingredients and served in a welcoming, sit-down restaurant environment, ensuring that every guest—regardless of financial situation—is treated with respect. While the menu does not list prices, suggested donation amounts are available for those who wish to contribute.

For guests who cannot afford to make a donation, the restaurant offers another meaningful way to give back. They are invited to volunteer their time at the restaurant, helping with tasks such as food preparation or service. This approach reinforces the idea that everyone has something valuable to contribute, whether through money, time, or effort.

According to People magazine, Jon Bon Jovi has openly credited Dorothea Hurley with the original idea behind the project. She envisioned a place where people could share a meal with the same dignity and warmth as being welcomed into someone’s home. What began as a simple concept rooted in compassion has since grown into a successful and widely admired initiative.

Today, multiple JBJ Soul Kitchen locations operate across New Jersey, serving thousands of meals to both paying and non-paying guests. The restaurants have become a model for how businesses, celebrities, and communities can work together to address food insecurity without stigma.

More than just a restaurant, JBJ Soul Kitchen stands as a reminder that kindness, when built into everyday systems, can have a lasting impact. By removing price tags and replacing them with trust and generosity, Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley have shown that a simple meal can help nourish not only bodies, but communities as well.