Ep 7. Bad to the Bone

"Bar Rescue" is a reality show where bar and nightclub expert Jon Taffer helps struggling bars to transform into successful businesses. In season 1, episode 7 titled "Bad to the Bone," Jon Taffer visits a biker bar in Colorado Springs called the "The Steel Horse" that is on the brink of closure due to poor management and outdated decor.

At the start of the episode, Jon Taffer visits the Steel Horse and observes the bar's unsanitary conditions, outdated decor, and unorganized staff. He notices that the bar's owner, Bonnie, is not taking responsibility for the dire state of the bar and is placing the blame on her employees. To turn this bar around, Jon needs to address the root cause of the problems and motivate the staff to work as a cohesive team.

Jon Taffer observes the Steel Horse during a busy Friday night and discovers that Bonnie's busy nights are the cause of the bars failure. The bar’s underperforming staff is not prepared to handle the volume of customers and are providing less than desirable services. The lack of service is pushing customers out the door, leading to stagnant business. Jon sees that the initial focus should be understanding staffing requirements, creating an efficient inventory system, and an aggressive marketing campaign.

Jon meets with the staff of the Steel Horse and explains his plan to help the bar become successful. He stresses the importance of teamwork, and tells the staff that they need to take ownership of their responsibilities and work together to execute the plan. The staff members are a bit hesitant, which makes Jon instruct them to demonstrate their skills. Jon can utilize his expertise to call out their individual strengths. The Blue Team is responsible for the drink mixology and staff training, and the Red Team is responsible for cleaning and organization.

After the initial meeting with the staff, Jon brings in his team to start transforming the Steel Horse. The bar is given an impressive new look. The old decor is removed, and the Steel Horse's new look is biker-friendly and casual, catering to a large audience of bikers as well as locals. The new decor makes the bar stand out and represents what a biker bar stands for. Jon also implements new signage, uniforms, branding, and a marketing campaign to attract a more diverse customer base.

The next day, Jon Taffer sits down with Bonnie to discuss her role in the Steel Horse's failure. Bonnie initially resists, but Jon breaks down her arguments and makes her take responsibility for the part she has played in the downfall of the bar. Bonnie's willingness to change and cooperate with Jon paves the way forward for a more workable relationship between her, her staff, and Jon.

Finally, Jon trains the Steel Horse staff on how to be efficient and organized while handling a busy night. Jon teaches them tricks to improve the ordering and serving processes, and the overall speed at which they can move the patrons in the bar.

The Steel Horse reopens with a packed crowd, and the new look, marketing, and efficiency have transformed the customer experience. The staff is working as one unit, and the customers love the Steel Horse's new look and feel.

In conclusion, season 1, episode 7 of "Bar Rescue" is a great example of how a bar can be transformed with the help of Jon Taffer. In this episode, Jon takes the time to understand the root causes of the Steel Horse's shortcomings and implements changes that lead to a successful transformation. He rebrands the bar, motivates the staff to work as a team and provides necessary training to boost their efficiency. The Steel Horse not only overcomes its problems but turns into a thriving establishment.