Ep 11. Michele's

In this episode of Restaurant: Impossible, host Robert Irvine heads to Corryton, Tennessee, to help the struggling restaurant, Michele's. Michele's is a family-owned business that has been open for over a year but has already accumulated massive debt and is on the brink of closure. The situation is dire, as the owners Michele and her husband Jonny, are barely able to keep up with the bills and operating costs of the restaurant.

Upon arriving, Robert immediately notices the dated decor of Michele's. The restaurant is in desperate need of a more modern aesthetic, and the menu is lacking imagination and creativity. Furthermore, the kitchen is not properly equipped to handle the volume of orders they receive, causing long wait times for customers. Robert quickly acknowledges that there is a lot of work that needs to be done to turn Michele's around.

During his initial discussion with the owners, Robert learns that Michele and Jonny have no prior experience in the restaurant industry. They bought the restaurant without any knowledge of how to run one, and they are now struggling to keep it afloat. Robert stresses the importance of creating a well-rounded team of employees with diverse skills and knowledge, and Michele and Jonny agree to his suggestions.

With the help of his team, Robert dives into every aspect of Michele's, from the kitchen to the dining room. They begin by decluttering the restaurant and adding a fresh coat of paint. The kitchen is fully equipped with all of the proper tools and equipment needed to run a successful restaurant. Robert introduces a new, creative menu that features dishes made with local ingredients. He also works on improving the presentation of the food, making it more visually appealing.

Robert also focuses on training the staff and creating a more efficient system for managing orders. With the new changes in place, wait times are greatly reduced, and customers are leaving satisfied.

One of the biggest challenges is getting Michele and Jonny on board with the changes. They are resistant to some of the changes Robert suggests, such as raising prices and cutting down the menu. However, Robert explains that these changes are necessary for the survival of the restaurant. In the end, Michele and Jonny embrace the changes and are hopeful for the future of their restaurant.

As the episode comes to a close, Robert hosts a relaunch event for Michele's. Customers are blown away by the new decor, menu, and service. Michele and Jonny are thrilled to see their restaurant thriving once again, and they are grateful for Robert's help.

Overall, this episode of Restaurant: Impossible showcases the struggles of inexperienced restaurant owners and the importance of implementing effective changes to save a struggling business. Robert's expert guidance and the hard work of his team and the owners result in a successful relaunch of Michele's.