CNBC News Releases

New Season of CNBC’s ‘Restaurant Startup’ is Back Wednesday, January 6 with Bigger Deals than Ever Before

Joe Bastianich, Tim Love and Antonia Lofaso Return for Season Three

New Investor Elizabeth Blau Joins the Deal Table

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — November 18, 2015 —CNBC today announced its popular series, "Restaurant Startup," is back on the hunt for the next wave of food visionaries: would-be restaurateurs with big ideas but little capital. With bigger deals than ever before, including the series' first-seven figure investment, "Restaurant Startup" turns up the heat with nine all-new episodes beginning Wednesday, January 6 at 10PM ET/PT.

Produced by Endemol Shine North America, the series features restaurateur and TV personality Joe Bastianich and chef and restaurateur Tim Love, who vie to invest their own money in restaurant concepts they believe could make them millions. Joining the team this season is restaurateur and hospitality consultant Elizabeth Blau, who will appear in three episodes – one alongside Bastianich and two alongside Love. Widely credited with transforming Las Vegas into a world-class culinary destination, Blau continues to develop top restaurants across the globe.

Each week on "Restaurant Startup," two teams, selected from hundreds of applicants, are invited to pitch their food ideas to the investors. But, only one will receive the opportunity of a lifetime. The chosen team is given the keys to a working restaurant in Los Angeles. They get 36 hours and $7,500 to put their concept to the test and create a business plan; come up with a branding campaign; and finally, launch their dream restaurant.

Under the watchful eye of culinary consultant Antonia Lofaso, the aspiring food moguls open their doors, serve their food and test their concept on the public.

Based on the reaction from the diners, the quality of the branding, and the viability of the business plan, Bastianich, Love, and Blau decide whether or not they will put their own money on the line to make someone's dreams come true – and, hopefully, make big money for themselves.

To learn more about "Restaurant Startup," visit: http://restaurantstartup.cnbcprime.com. Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/restaurantstartuptv and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RestStartup |@RestStartup

"Restaurant Startup" is produced for CNBC by Endemol Shine North America and JB Crushed, LLC with David Tibballs, Eden Gaha, Robin Feinberg and Joe Bastianich as executive producers. Jim Ackerman and Luke Bauer are the executive producers for CNBC.

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