Ep 8. Act Now, Before It's Too Late!

In the eighth episode of Restaurant Startup season 3, titled "Act Now, Before It's Too Late!", food industry investors Joe Bastianich and Tim Love meet two potential restaurant owners who have unique concepts they believe are surefire hits.

First up is Chakra, a restaurant serving Indian cuisine with a modern twist. Owner-couple Kaushik and Savita Ranavade have been in the restaurant industry for years, but have yet to realize their dream of opening their own restaurant. They bring their signature dishes to the table, including a flavored lassi and a unique take on naan bread. While the investors are impressed with the flavors and uniqueness of the dishes, they have concerns over the couple's inexperience with running a restaurant.

Next, the investors meet Heather Sperling and Emily Fiffer, the owners of Botanica. This California-based eatery focuses on plant-based, vegetable-forward dishes that are both beautiful and delicious. Sperling and Fiffer are seeking funding to expand their catering business and eventually open a brick-and-mortar location. They share their vision of incorporating global flavors and ethical sourcing into their menu. The investors love the food and admire the owners' passion and commitment to sustainability.

After deliberating, Bastianich and Love decide to invest in Chakra with the condition that the couple hire an experienced general manager to help with day-to-day operations. They also decide to contribute to Botanica's catering expansion, but suggest the owners wait to open a restaurant until they gain more experience and have a stronger following.

In the second half of the episode, Bastianich and Love travel to Las Vegas, where they check in on two restaurants they previously invested in: Rollin Smoke Barbeque and Rhythm Kitchen. Both restaurants have experienced challenges since opening, including issues with ownership and management.

At Rollin Smoke Barbeque, owner Jakob Lavelle has defaulted on his loan payments to the investors and is struggling to keep the business afloat. The investors offer Lavelle a chance to buy out one of their shares in the restaurant at a discount, but Lavelle is hesitant to give up control of his business.

At Rhythm Kitchen, owners Laura and Chef Scott Commings have faced difficulties in retaining staff and increasing revenue. The investors suggest marketing and promotional efforts to help bring in more customers and encourage the owners to consider franchising their concept.

Overall, "Act Now, Before It's Too Late!" focuses on the importance of having a solid business plan and experienced team in place for restaurant success. The episode also highlights the challenges of running a restaurant and the investors’ commitment to helping their invested restaurants overcome obstacles.