Ep 1. Dante's

In the premiere episode of The Profit's seventh season, Marcus Lemonis visits Dante's, a soul food restaurant located in Portland, Oregon. Dante's is owned and operated by Dante and Angie Bell, a husband and wife duo who have been struggling to keep the business afloat.

From the very beginning, it becomes clear that the restaurant is facing considerable challenges. The interior is outdated and in need of serious renovation, the menu is uninspired, and the restaurant lacks any real identity or sense of purpose. The restaurant is also operating at a loss, with the owners unsure of how to turn things around.

As Marcus begins his examination of the restaurant, he uncovers a number of underlying issues that have been preventing Dante's from succeeding. For one, the restaurant's location is not ideal, as it's tucked away in a hard-to-reach strip mall. The lack of visibility has been contributing to low foot traffic and a general lack of awareness in the community.

Additionally, Marcus discovers that the restaurant is suffering from poor management. There is a lack of communication between the husband and wife team, and both of them seem to be burnt out and overwhelmed by the challenges of running a restaurant. The kitchen staff is also disorganized and inefficient, leading to long wait times and inconsistent food quality.

Despite these challenges, Marcus sees potential in the restaurant and decides to invest in Dante's. Over the course of the episode, he works closely with Dante and Angie to address each of the issues he's uncovered. He helps them revamp the restaurant's interior, giving it a more modern and inviting feel. He also helps them create a new menu that showcases their unique blend of soul food and Pacific Northwest flavors.

Perhaps most importantly, Marcus works with the couple on their communication skills and helps them develop a more effective management style. He brings in a consultant to help train the kitchen staff and improve their workflow, allowing them to prepare food more quickly and consistently.

Throughout the episode, Marcus provides guidance and support to Dante and Angie as they navigate the various changes and challenges that come with turning their restaurant around. He helps them rebuild their confidence and provides them with the tools they need to succeed.

In the end, the changes Marcus helps implement pay off. Dante's begins to attract more customers, and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The restaurant is now on track to become a successful and profitable business, thanks in large part to Marcus's guidance and investment.