Consumed: The Real Restaurant Business

Consumed: The Real Restaurant Business is an unscripted original series from CNBC that first aired in 2015. The documentary-style series provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the high-stakes, cutthroat world of the New York restaurant scene, revealing the realities of what it takes to succeed in one of the most competitive business environments on the planet.

Hosted by CNBC, Consumed: The Real Restaurant Business plunges viewers into the robust, unpredictable universe of the restaurant industry, notorious not only for its high failure rate but also its intense competition, financial risks, and rigorous operational challenges. The series aims to showcase the real dramas, pressures, and high stakes of the culinary business that often get glamourized and overlooked in numerous other cooking and restaurant-focused shows.

The show dwells on the trials and tribulations on the path to restaurant success by tracking the journeys of aspiring restaurateurs. Each episode delves into the stories of different restaurant owners spanning the entire spectrum of industries – from fine dining establishments to fast-casual eateries. The series is not just about the lofty dreams of launching a successful restaurant – it's about the nitty-gritty of the process, the unglamorous aspects of day-to-day operations, the management of a workforce, and the navigation of regulatory and financial obstacles.

Consumed: The Real Restaurant Business also illuminates the pressures that come from outside the walls of the restaurants, such as the fickle New York dining public, food critics, and more. From dealing with negative reviews to creating a buzz for their business, the restaurant owners must survive and triumph under constant scrutiny.

One of the key aspects of the series is its real-time narrative framework, which stands apart from other similar shows. It captures the unique challenges faced by the proprietors, their setbacks, and triumphs, not in a retrospective light, but as they unfold. This gives audiences a frontline perspective into the vivid, vibrant, and volatile restaurant industry.

Through an authentic portrayal of the owners' journeys, the show delves into a variety of topics pertinent to the restaurant industry and business in general. It covers essential aspects such as concept development, branding, menu creation, design, lease negotiation, and construction. Additionally, it explores the various costs associated with running a restaurant, including sourcing ingredients, labor, rent, and utility bills, among others. It doesn't shy away from showcasing the problems and unexpected complications that arise, such as regulatory red tape, delayed construction, staffing issues, and other myriad complications.

In terms of the format, each episode might follow one or several restaurant owners, offering an intense, detailed analysis of their respective situations. The storylines of these establishments intersect and diverge, all while maintaining focus on individual operations, goals, and obstacles. By documenting and presenting the challenges faced by these establishments in real-time, Consumed: The Real Restaurant Business does justice to the complex and fervently dynamic world that it tries to depict.

The heart of the series, however, lies in its human stories. Beyond the strategic logistics and financial hurdles, the show is about people staking their dreams, lives, and often their entire life savings pursuing their passion despite the high odds of failure. It's about their efforts, innovations, resilience, and the drive that keeps them going in the face of adversity. The restaurateurs featured on the show come from all walks of life, and their stories often reflect their unique perspectives and backgrounds, adding a rich diversity to the overall narrative of the series.

Consumed: The Real Restaurant Business is an exploration of the brutal yet enthralling reality of the restaurant business. It is an educational journey for aspiring restaurateurs and a captivating watch for those fascinated by the often unexplored trials and tribulations behind their favorite dining establishments. This show keeps its viewers hooked, offering a serving of suspense, drama, success, and failure, all cooked in the crucible of the bustling New York restaurant industry. So, whether you are a seasoned business executive, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just a food lover, there is something sure to capture your interest.