Ep 12. Pie Hard

In Bar Rescue season 10 episode 12, titled "Pie Hard," Jon Taffer travels to a bar in Northern California that's been a local institution for over 100 years. The bar's current owner, a retired firefighter, bought the business a few years ago and hoped to keep its historic charm intact. However, the bar has been struggling to keep up with the times, and the owner is in danger of losing everything.

On arrival, Jon immediately notices a few glaring problems with the bar. The decor is outdated and musty, the bartenders are poorly trained and not attentive to customers, and the food seems to be an afterthought. But the bar's biggest issue is the owner's lack of financial oversight. She's been letting employees run up large tabs and hasn't been keeping track of expenses, causing her profits to dwindle.

Jon quickly sets to work trying to turn the bar around. He brings in a design team to modernize the decor and make the bar more inviting to customers. He also works with the kitchen to create a new menu that emphasizes the bar's unique history and features fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The bartenders receive intensive training on how to make signature cocktails, engage with customers, and manage their time efficiently. Jon also works with the owner to get a handle on her finances and implement new systems that will ensure the bar stays profitable.

Throughout the episode, tensions run high as the bar staff and Jon navigate the changes he's implementing. Some of the bartenders are resistant to his suggestions and struggle to adapt to the new systems, while the owner initially resists Jon's advice about cutting costs. However, as the episode progresses, everyone slowly begins to see the value in Jon's methods and rallies behind him to make the bar a success.

Towards the end of the episode, Jon invites the community to a grand re-opening of the bar. The newly renovated space is packed with customers enjoying the new menu and drinks while admiring the updated decor. The bartenders are working efficiently and engaging with customers like never before, and the owner finally feels like she's in control of her business. By the end of the night, the bar has made more profit than it has in years, leaving the owner and staff feeling invigorated and excited about the bar's future.

Overall, "Pie Hard" is a heartwarming episode of Bar Rescue that showcases the power of teamwork and perseverance. Jon's expertise and guidance help the struggling bar to regain its footing and connect with its community in a meaningful way. Despite the challenges they faced, the episode ends on a high note with the bar poised for success.