Owner Lisa's husband gave her a restaurant as a wedding gift, and she has struggled financially and emotionally since. Chef Robert has to fix a filthy kitchen and insubordinate staff and give Lisa the confidence and tools to run a successful restaurant.

Owners Lynn and Ken bought the restaurant five years earlier because Ken loved to cook, but with no restaurant experience at all, the couple is now working 80 hours a week and in more than $50,000 debt.

Zandi's Grill in isn't failing just due to its bad location, lackluster food, poor service, and tired decor. It's failing because its owners have completely lost their passion.

Chef Robert Irvine hopes to return a 30-year-old staple to its early glory days. Not only will he need to overhaul the menu and dark interior, but he will need to fix the control issues hurting the business and the family behind the restaurant.

Chef Robert helps a mother and son keep their 15-year-old restaurant alive. The son is clueless about food costs and lacks leadership skills. Robert must give Stella's a complete overhaul or else its doors will certainly close.

Chef Robert helps a husband and wife save their 6-year-old Mexican restaurant. Initially popular, growing pains got the best of the restaurant, which suffered in food and operations quality, leaving a huge, expensive mess for Robert to clean up.

Frankie’s was purchased by then best friends Jay and Tina 13 years ago; the stress of a failing business has corroded their relationship to the point where they are unable to be in the same room.

Chef Robert Irvine travels to Burton, Mich., where he's on a mission to rescue a single mom, Marina, and her restaurant, Paliani's, from demise. Paliani's has a kitchen in disarray, a dining room that's a disgusting mess, and an owner who doesn't realize her own role in its downfall. Robert needs to use every penny of the $10,000 budget and every second of the two-day deadline to help turn Paliani's into Burton's new hot spot!

Of all the owners Chef Robert Irvine has worked with on Restaurant: Impossible, none may have been more unprepared than Michele and Andy, owners of Michele's in Corry, Pa., who purchased their restaurant at auction on a whim, despite having no experience in the business. In two days, Robert must choose a new cook, teach Michele basic management skills, refurbish the interior, and address Andy's critical and harsh attitude.

Chef Robert Irvine heads to Las Vegas to help 26-year-old Ashley save the Maple Tree Cafe. Not only is Ashley new to the restaurant industry, but she's hired mostly family members, who are also inexperienced, to support her dream. Robert will have only two days to fix the strained family relationships, and give Ashley the tools and courage she needs to run her business.

Chef Robert Irvine's latest mission introduces him to the Whistle Stop in Hot Springs, Ark., and Linda, a former employee who bought the business when the previous owners abruptly told her they were shutting down. The business turned out to be a poor investment, and Linda has used the inheritance her late husband left her to keep the doors open. Robert has only two days and $10,000 to restore the dining room, clean the kitchen and train the staff.

Chef Robert Irvine is in Palos Hills, Ill., to help save the Valley Inn restaurant. Opened 40 years ago by Faye and Frank, Sr., it's now being run by sons Dennis and Frank, Jr. Once very profitable, the death of Frank, Sr., combined with a difficult economy, has left the family downtrodden and the restaurant struggling to bring in customers.

Chef Robert Irvine heads to Olean, N.Y., to meet Kelli and her daughter, Abby, owners of the Oleander Bar and Grill. Open only six months, the restaurant is facing financial ruin, and Kelli and Abby face the threat of losing the restaurant. When Robert arrives, it's clear that the tension between Kelli and Abby is the root of this young restaurant's problems: The two cannot agree on anything, causing confusion for the employees, and their fighting drives away customers.