Restaurant Start Up

• Original producer: Shine America
• Original broadcaster: CNBC

Restaurant Startup is a primetime reality format where the contestants think they have the next big restaurant idea but need an investor’s money to turn their dream into a reality. They pitch their unique business idea to culinary giants and hope for an investment that will help them launch the next generation of food empires.

Each episode kicks-off as two teams pitch their original food concepts to the investors. After tasting the contestants’ food and trilling them with questions, only one of the teams is given the chance to go through to the next stage; proving they have what it takes to launch a new food concept. Set up with a minimal budget and an industry expert to give them advice, the chosen team is given 36 hours and $7500 to turn an empty space into a pop-up restaurant. The contestants quickly learn that it takes more than just great food to win an investment and are forced to focus on a branding campaign, a cohesive and mouth-watering menu and a sound business plan. When the doors open to the public, the investors watch how the restaurant – and its hopeful managers – handles a fiery lunch service, often getting their hands dirty to help out. Everything comes down to the investors’ final decision. They can either make the team an individual offer for a stake in
the company, make a joint offer or walk away. From concept to business plan to brand, Restaurant Startup challenges contestants while giving them the chance to make their dreams come true.