Ep 2. Party All the Time

In Restaurant Stakeout season 1 episode 2, titled "Party All the Time," the show's host, Willie Degel, visits one of New York's popular party venues, The Nutty Irishman. The restaurant is facing growing concerns about its management and operation, and the owner, Martin Doherty, is apprehensive about the complaints received from customers.

Willie and his team are called in to investigate the problems that have rendered poor customer feedback for the venue. Before entering the restaurant, Willie expresses his concerns about the venue's location, which he thinks might have led to the negative reviews. He then meets Martin and his general manager, Kevin O'Connor, and learns about the history of the business. Martin reveals to Willie that the venue had done great business for some time but has recently been in decline due to a lack of attendance from the party-goers.

As they sit down, customers stream into the restaurant, and Willie observes closely how the restaurant staff handles the patrons. The team installs hidden cameras throughout the restaurant to capture any wrongdoings while they stage a fake party for the owner, inviting their own guests to fill up the restaurant. Willie notes the reactions from the patrons to the food and the drinks.

Throughout the episode, Willie uncovers some problems with the venue's management, leading to a high rate of waste and theft. He discovers that the employees are freely giving away drinks and food to their friends and not charging them, resulting in a significant reduction in food sales, while the wasted alcohol hits a whopping $2,000 in sixteen days. Also, the bartenders are pouring heavy handed, using more alcohol than is required to pour a drink.

Willie advises Martin on the importance of keeping track of his inventory, and the importance of controlling costs. He also warns Martin about the danger of allowing employees to give out too many free drinks, which, inevitably, lead to a steep loss in revenue. Willie also talks to the employees about their behavior and attitudes, highlighting how their actions impacted business negatively.

With Willie's guidance, Martin agrees to implement some new changes to help improve the restaurant's operation and profitability, including tightening the restaurant's budget, managing inventory, and setting up security cameras. Willie provides the staff with a positive and influential attitude, giving them the tools they need to improve customer experience, handle cash transactions responsibly, and win back the customer base.

In conclusion, "Party All the Time" is an entertaining, enlightening episode that highlights the potential challenges restaurants face in keeping a vibrant and profitable business. The show captures the sense of urgency and resolve that business owners must have to achieve success in the industry. Willie Degel's Restaurant Stakeout series genuinely highlights the areas of improvement establishments require to meet the demands of their customers. Ultimately, the team's intervention to address The Nutty Irishman's problems brings a refreshing optimism to the business, leaving many viewers wondering how the restaurant is doing today.