Flip That Restaurant

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Business-focused spin-off has some tense moments.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality spin-off -- which offers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into flipping a restaurant -- isn't quite as mild as parent series Flip That House. The show focuses more on the high pressure associated with opening a restaurant than on the actual construction. Frustrated flippers are sometimes shown yelling and screaming at laborers, designers, and others working to complete the renovation on time. Some of these moments lead to cursing (words like "bulls--t" and "f--k" are bleeped out). The show is somewhat entertaining, but kids probably won't find it particularly exciting unless they're interested in construction or cooking.

  • While the series shows the hard work that goes into the restaurant-flipping process, much of the discussion is focused on profit. Restaurant flippers are male and female; many of the construction teams at the sites are Latino.
  • There's some yelling, screaming, and arguing when things go wrong.
  • Not applicable.
  • Audible language includes "damn" stronger words -- like "bulls--t" and "f--k" -- are bleeped out.
  • Visible product brands include Silk soy milk, Barolo wine, Mr. Expresso, and Peerless Coffee & Tea. Other specific products are also discussed, like Spudwear eating utensils. Some restaurant owners sell/promote their own cookbooks.
  • Wines are tasted for menus; cocktails are mixed and tested. Opening nights feature patrons sipping alcoholic beverages.

What's the story?

FLIP THAT RESTAURANT follows hopeful restaurateurs after they purchase old or failed restaurants in hopes of turning them into a profitable business. Working with investors, designers, and restaurant producers, the entrepreneurs update kitchens, improve the décor, and create a menu that will entice people's taste buds. Perhaps the biggest challenge? After the flip is over, the proud new owners have to make sure that customers keep coming through their refinished doors.


Is it any good?

 

This Flip That House spin-off highlights some of the real challenges associated with any property flip -- like dealing with contract laborers, bad weather, and shipment delays. But unlike people who flip houses, restaurant owners must also make sure that their kitchens meet city codes, that they obtain appropriate business licenses, and that anxious investors are satisfied after they've sunk money into a high-risk venture. Also unlike buying and selling a home, restaurant owners continue to feel the pressure of staying open and turning a profit in a business where few succeed and reputation is everything.

Not surprisingly, challenges like endless and costly permit delays, union labor issues, and budget-busting construction mistakes lead to some yelling, screaming, and cursing as restaurant owners go from being excited about their venture to experiencing all-out panic when things go wrong. The cursing is bleeped, and many of the problems are solved, but these tense moments aren't ideal for young viewers. Still, for those who are interested and/or mature enough to handle it, the series does offer an honest, mildly entertaining look at what goes into opening a restaurant.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about what it's like to own a restaurant. Do you think it's as challenging as it seems on shows like this one? What do you have to consider besides what food to serve? What skills do you need to succeed in this business? Families can also discuss food and food-related shows. Do you think shows like this encourage or discourage people from going into the food industry? What's the appeal of watching people deal with the kind of challenges faced in this series?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Kid, 12 years old
July 29, 2010
 
appropriate for 5, iffy for 2 and under

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Teen, 14 years old
July 29, 2010
 
appropriate for 5, iffy for 2 and under

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Kid, 11 years old
July 29, 2010
 
appropriate for 5, iffy for 2 and under

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:TLC
Cast:Cam Clarke
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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