In this episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer has asked Dustin Drai to assist at Tumbleweed Grill and Bar in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Tumbleweed Grill and Bar is owned by Alan and Teresa.
They opened the bar in 2022 because they wanted to own their own business.
It paid off initially but Alan kept his day job running a convenience store.
Teresa was left to run the bar alone.
She had no management skills and had never owned a bar before.
When the novelty of the initial success wore off, her lack of experience became evident.
Family and friends were hired as staff to help support the business but it is not enough.
Dustin is the VP of entertainment at Drai’s Nightclub.
He is accompanied by expert mixologist Derrick Turner and expert chef Jason Santos, who are surveilling the bar.
They see that there is no signage on the doors and no energy in the place.
There is news that Alan just quit his job at the convenience store that day to focus on the business.
They watch the staff, who are mostly family.
They note that the interior has no identity as it is all bland, from furnishings to colors.
The spies are local radio personalities.
They order food, but some items are not available.
The bartender does not offer them a drinks menu.
After a while, they ask for drinks and encounter the same issue.
The staff have no idea if they have all the ingredients so they settle on an Old Fashioned.
The bartender has to Google how to make an Old Fashioned, a very simple cocktail.
The food is served and the steak is basically raw.
They are shocked that the service is so bad for a bar in $300,000 debt.
Dustin enters the bar and shows the owners the food and drinks that were served.
Teresa says she would not eat the steak.
The cook is confronted but he defends the steak and walks out.
The owners are confronted about the look and design of the bar.
He asks them to get the staff and bar ready for the next day.
The next day, the staff are all gathered.
Dustin properly introduces himself and tells them all that he noticed in the bar the day before.
The staff speak up, saying that they tried to point things out.
They claim that no one wants to fix the issues.
It is the last chance for both Teresa and Alan.
Alan left his job and Teresa will be looking for a part-time job.
The experts are brought in and they give feedback to the staff as well.
The cook is still adamant that nothing is his fault and walks out.
The staff beg him to stay.
The owners talk to him and leave the door open for him to come back if he changes his mind.
Derrick has the bartender make the Old Fashioned once again.
She is confused and adds a cherry.
He makes it properly for them by showing them the steps.
A new cook is brought in named Justin, who has 30 years of experience.
Jason takes them through making a simple fish dish that they will be serving for the stress test.
For the stress test Alan and Teresa are given roles and let the customers in.
The bartenders learned their lesson and asked the customers for their drink orders immediately.
However, the servers forget to take the food orders.
When Dustin reminds them, they get orders and swamp the kitchen with tickets.
Justin is taking his time making the steaks while the bar is chaotic.
Food is sent back to the kitchen as the customer spat it out.
The steak is bland and unseasoned.
Justin makes it again and it is raw in the middle.
Dustin is fed up and has Teresa shut the night down.
The experts brainstorm afterwards and determine that the menu should be simpler.
The neighborhood income is lower than the average national level.
The next day, Jason teaches them how to cook a steak properly.
Derrick gives them a lesson on a variety of Old Fashioneds.
Dustin meets with the owners, who reflect on the stress test.
They can see how they can improve and properly divide up the responsibilities of the bar.
The team works overnight to renovate the bar.
At night time, everyone is gathered for the relaunch.
The bar has been renamed Gold Rush Saloon, which is inspired by the area.
The interior has been overhauled with a rustic barn feel with warmth and a lot of wood.
It has a new theme and is more cohesive.
They have Skytab POS systems at the bar and the kitchen.
There is a subscription to Partender and new barware from Barproducts.com.
They set up and let the customers in.
The servers are on top of it, taking drink and food orders.
The bar is working hard, making multiple cocktails.
The kitchen is making great dishes in 6 minutes with no food sent back.
The customers love the food and drinks.
What Happened Next at Tumbleweed Grill and Bar / Gold Rush Saloon?
Six weeks later, sales are up over $60,000.
Alan and Teresa have continued to renovate and upgrade the bar to match the new theme.
Jack came back to work after the rescue and not a single dish has been sent back since.
Tumbleweed Grill and Bar is closed.
The owners did not keep the new name.
They closed on 19th April 2024.
The closure was announced on Facebook.
This was before the episode aired in June 2024.
Reviews had declined prior to the closure.
Service and food items were criticised in the months before the closure.
Click for more Bar Rescues
Previous episode - Cielo Lounge / Don Marcos
Next episode - Dr Philgoods Sports Bar
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