Robert Irvine heads to Chicago's South Side to try to save an iconic restaurant from closing its doors. After more than 30 years as a beacon in the community, Josephine's Cooking is one month from closing. Robert must motivate the co-owner, Victor, to take over the reins and relieve his aging, strong-willed mother, Josephine. With only two days and $10,000, Robert has his hands full trying to keep an important piece of South Side history alive.

Robert Irvine is faced with the problem of making a run-of-the-mill diner stand out in the heart of diner country in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts. After 13 years in business, mother and daughter co-owners Rosie and Bridget have run out of money and options. If they are going to be able to save Rosie’s Diner, Robert is going to need to change almost everything in this outdated restaurant.

Robert Irvine heads to Tomahawk, Wisc., to try to save a small-town steakhouse from closing. Owner Brenda is just one month away from shutting the doors for good, and she needs Robert to remind her of her passion for the business and help her fix more than 30 years of bad habits. With only two days and $10,000, Robert has his hands full trying to save Besse's on Clear Lake.

Robert Irvine heads to Chez Olga in Grand Rapids, Mich., where the struggling Caribbean restaurant's dingy dining room, bland menu and terrible kitchen are tearing apart the mother and daughter who run it. Robert must completely revamp the look and menu as well as get the owners to work as partners, or this restaurant is sure to fail.

Robert Irvine heads to Columbia, Mo., to rescue McLanks Family Restaurant from shutting down. The restaurant is run by a single mother and her five adult children who fight constantly, and the tension is tearing both the family and the restaurant apart. It's up to Robert to fix their relationship and get them to work together before McLanks closes for good.

Robert Irvine is in Nutter Fort, W.V., where a West Virginian-Italian-American-barbecue-family restaurant has a confused identity and is in for one of the biggest transformations ever. Single dad Mike Audia is going to lose his restaurant and his home unless Robert puts everything he has into helping him turn the restaurant around.

Robert Irvine comes to the rescue of a Maryland seafood restaurant that has been in the family for more than 60 years and is on the brink of closing its doors. Third-generation owner Chad and his sister, Cara, attempt to salvage what's left of their family legacy, determined to keep alive the memory of their late parents and grandparents. With the finances in disarray, nonexistent leadership and a divide between the uninspired staff and stubborn management, Robert faces one of his toughest challenges to keep this family business afloat.

Robert Irvine travels to Muncie, Ind., where the rundown Madison Street Retro Diner is in dire straits. Owner Rita Watkins is in charge of the place, but her health is failing, and her daughter, Melissa, can't seem to step up to the plate and take over. Robert has two days to give Melissa the tools and confidence she needs or this home-style, American restaurant has no chance of survival.