March 11, 2012 (2012-03-11) – September 10, 2014 (2014-09-10)
Restaurant Stakeout is a scripted American reality television series on the Food Network. The series debuted on March 12, 2012, with the second season premiering on August 29, 2012.[1] It is one of the first non-studio shows attempted on Food Network.[2]
Plot
The series follows William Jack "Willie" Degel, the owner of New York Cityrestaurant Uncle Jack's Steakhouse, who goes behind the scenes of various restaurants across the country at the request of their owner(s). He takes the keys and installs hidden cameras to examine their service problems.[3]
Willie and the owner(s) observe the restaurant's operation from a control room, and Willie comments about what he sees. Once Willie has assembled a list of key issues, the owner(s) calls a staff meeting. Willie appears at the meeting and confronts the staff with his findings. After that takes place, Willie returns the next day to help correct the problems. Some time later, Willie returns (now dressed in casual clothes) to get a status report.
The show differs from other similar shows in that its primary focus is on identifying ways to provide better customer service. Unlike Kitchen Nightmares and Restaurant: Impossible, there is rarely a problem with the cuisine, restaurant cleanliness, menu, or decor. The owner's main fault is being much too easy on the staff. Mystery Diners is also scripted, but usually about determining who is actively undermining the restaurant and getting them fired (although occasionally, a few employees have been fired on this show).
Willie comes to the aid of the owners of a restaurant that has previously suffered a money theft that has prevented the owner's mother from retiring. For the first time in show history, Willie does not try to help revive the restaurant after seeing too many key issues with the restaurant. The owner and his wife decide to shut down after Willie meets with the staff where Willie ends up calling in an associate that specializes in restaurant auctions to help the owners raise money for the owner's mother to finally retire.
