Ep 12. Critters and Quitters

During the Critters and Quitters episode of Bar Rescue season 4 episode 12, Jon Taffer and his team of experts travel to Largo, Florida, to visit the O'Brian's Irish Pub. The bar is struggling due to poor management, a lack of leadership, and a dwindling customer base.

Upon arrival, Jon observes the pub's chaotic atmosphere with a crowded bar, overworked staff, and unsanitary conditions. To make matters worse, the bar's outdoor patio is filled with stray cats, causing an unpleasant smell and unsightly appearance. With a population of 50 cats living in the area surrounding the pub, Jon sees an opportunity to address both the cat problem and improve the bar's overall image.

To begin, Jon meets with the bar's owner, Lisa, and the general manager, Abe, to discuss the bar's issues and create a plan of action. The team then inspects the kitchen, where they find expired food, dirt and grime, and a largely unorganized and unsanitary workspace.

With the kitchen in shambles, Jon's team takes a hands-on approach to help the staff clean and organize the kitchen. They emphasize the importance of food handling and safety regulations and teach the staff more efficient ways to prepare food. In addition, they rework the menu, removing confusing and unnecessary items and streamlining the ordering process.

Next, Jon sets his sights on the bar's drinking and service areas. He notes that the pub's original design is confusing and creates congestion, leading to slower service and unhappy customers. To remedy this, Jon's team reworks the layout, creating a more logical and efficient bar area.

To address the issue of the stray cats, Jon hires a professional animal rescue team to capture and relocate the cats. They then clean and sanitize the outdoor patio area, creating a more inviting environment for customers to enjoy their drinks and food.

With the food, service, and atmosphere improved, Jon focuses on training the bar staff. They learn new techniques to interact with customers and upsell products, leading to an increase in sales. In addition, Jon suggests a new dress code to give the staff a more professional appearance, which increases customer confidence in their service.

Finally, Jon presents the new and improved O'Brian's Irish Pub to Lisa and Abe, showcasing the revitalized kitchen, redesigned bar area, and inviting outdoor patio. With a new sense of pride in their work, the staff greets customers with enthusiasm and professionalism.

Overall, the Critters and Quitters episode of Bar Rescue showcases Jon Taffer and his team's ability to transform a struggling bar into a thriving business. By addressing issues of poor management, unsanitary conditions, and a confusing layout, Jon creates a bar that customers and staff alike can be proud of.