Are you a fan of reality TV shows?  These restaurant brokers are!  Like many others, we are glued to the television as chefs are "Chopped," “Top Chefs” are crowned or Bars are rescued.  Sometimes we feel like the rescuers when we are called to list a restaurant.

The popular BarRescue series on Spike TV was recently looking for candidates for their show in Atlanta.  We heard from a handful of bar owners who decided not to go forward but were intrigued by the casting call sent out via blog that read, “Spike's hit original series Bar Rescue is looking all over the country for candidates to have their bar rescued by the one and only Jon Taffer, one of the country's top restaurant and bar consultants. With each venue, Taffer and his team of experts delve into every business facet of running a bar, from creating a profitable drink/food menu, to music selection, to managing crowds. Whether it's a dive bar, karaoke bar, beach bar, wine bar, sports bar, music venue, night club or another bar type that is in need of some help, let us give it the makeover it needs!"

If you haven't seen this show, check it out on Spike TV.  In this series, Jon Taffer and his wife, Nichole literally "rescue" a flailing operation.  Nichole shops the original experience first and all the mistakes are shown on live TV.  To the restaurant brokers, that seems like the toughest part!  No one welcomes criticism.  After that, Taffer brings in his team to overhaul the decor, food, service and most important - the bar area to create a brand new experience. 

According to his online bio, Jon Taffer has more than 30 years of hands-on experience in the industry and has acted as a consultant and development advisor to restaurants, nightclubs and hotels around the world. 

We think we could give Jon a hand in this.  As restaurant brokers, we have given a lot of advice over the years.  Some owners take it and improve their operation before they list your restaurant while others don't and eventually go out of business. After all, someone with a failing operation won’t get as much money for it as a successful restaurant for sale. Some owners take our advice and other don’t and it looks like Taffer has the same issue. 

In the second season of the show the team fixed up Piratz Tavern which they described as a “debt-ridden, pirate-themed bar in Silver Spring, Maryland.”    BarRescue did a complete revamp including the name change to Corporate Bar and Grill.  The owners disliked the changes so much that they ripped out everything, took the sign out and used it as target practice.  Then they set it on fire and posted the entire thing on YouTube under the label Pirate Revenge.   Now THAT’S reality TV.

What do you think?  Would you air your “dirty laundry” on TV for a shot at improving your business?  Do you agree that “any press is good press” so the exposure would far outweigh the potential downfall?

Maybe you should just call the restaurant brokers to give you some advice in a less low key way.  We’re happy to check out your costs, profits, and operations.  We can recommend some changes across a table without having millions of American tuned in to see the advice take place in real time.

Give us your comments.  In the world of reality TV, are you a Foodie Show junkie or do you tune it out?

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By the way, if you know a bar that belongs on the third season of Bar Rescue, please submit it to the following email address: bar.rescue3@eyeworks.tv.