Restaurant Divided - Season 1

Chef/Restaurateur Rocco DiSpirito steps in to help feuding siblings Larry and Laura resolve their conflicting ideas about how to save their struggling family restaurant, Mia Famiglia, opened in honor of their late father. Laura believes changing to a sports bar concept will bring in the customers, while Larry is certain that a steakhouse will save them. In order to reveal the future of the restaurant, Rocco divides the restaurant to open both concepts for one night. Based on his assessment of customer reactions and the financial viability of each concept, Rocco chooses only one restaurant to move forward, bringing this family together and giving them hope for the future.

Strong-willed restaurant owner Terry has sunk all of her life savings into her New Jersey Greek eatery, as well as a major financial investment from her future son-in-law, Neil. But both their money is gone as the restaurant fails to make a profit. Unable to decide how to move forward, Terry's daughter and Neil's fiancee, Vicky, is torn between the two people she loves most. Chef/Restaurateur Rocco DiSpirito steps in and divides the restaurant, helps them design new menus and decor, and opens both concepts for one night. Rocco chooses only one restaurant to move forward, in hopes of reuniting this family and saving their future.

Laura and her fiance, Andrew, are at odds over how to save the struggling farm-to-table restaurant they opened a year ago with Andrew's best friend, Matthew. Despite the restaurant's delicious food, the restaurant has been steadily losing money since opening, and the couple could soon be unable to provide for their young daughter. Matthew wants to attract a younger crowd by turning the restaurant into a "Speakgreazy," offering elaborate cocktails and southern-influenced small plates, while Laura is determined the existing concept can be saved with some improvements. Torn between his fiancee and best friend, Andrew turns to Chef Rocco DiSpirito, who steps in and helps determine which concept will move forward, after developing and opening both concepts for one night.

Four years ago, lifelong friends Kurron and Vinny opened Against Da Grill, a casual, diner-style restaurant in their Staten Island, N.Y., hometown. As beloved and active members of the community, the restaurant's struggle to stay open goes deeper than the food alone. Vinny thinks a barbecue concept will save their future; Kurron wants to upgrade his existing diner concept. Chef Rocco DiSpirito arrives on the scene, divides the restaurant to showcase both concepts and helps them develop their menus. He opens both restaurants side by side for one night only and determines which concept will move forward, saving these hometown heroes.

Phil and Robin have depleted their life savings to fulfill Phil's dream of opening a barbecue restaurant in their hometown of Collegeville, Pa. Phil is desperate to keep his dream from going up in smoke, while Robin thinks they need to transform into a more broadly appealing chop house restaurant to suit the region. Chef Rocco DiSpirito steps in to help both with their visions, and after seeing both restaurants open for a night, Rocco decides which concept will provide this couple the brighter future.

Michael's Porthole, a waterfront seafood restaurant on Long Island, N.Y., is struggling to survive after a string of disasters left the restaurant in serious disrepair. Owner Michael believes the original restaurant can survive if they can get out of debt, while his son and executive chef, Mike Jr., feels strongly that an Italian concept will get diners in the doors year round. Chef Rocco DiSpirito intervenes, dividing the space and helping them develop their menus: After opening both restaurants for one night, Rocco decides which concept will give the family the best chance of success.