Jon Taffer Reveals Why ‘Bar Rescue’ Hasn’t Been Back to Iowa Since 2014

Since Jon Taffer started Bar Rescue in 2011, he has remodeled and saved over 200 bars. He's created concept for dive-bars, pubs, and nightclubs across the United States, and with over 200 episodes in the can, he's not slowing down.

But here's one interesting caveat: Iowa has only been featured on Bar Rescue once. And the bar Taffer tried to rescue was so heinously run and rife with bad management that he walked out without remodeling it. Why hasn't he brought the show back to Iowa since?

I've been dying to interview Jon Taffer for years, and finally got the opportunity to ask him that and many other questions in lieu of the season premiere of Bar Rescue. Season nine premieres Sunday, February 25th on Paramount Network, and Taffer was kind enough to join me on the phone to discuss the special guests that will make appearances in new episodes, the future of bars/restaurants, and yes, address why he hasn't been to Iowa since he tried but failed to save Council Bluffs' O Face Bar from itself.

There's no simple answer to this question. In fact, it's more due to the logistics that go into shooting Bar Rescue. Due to the size of the production team (57 people) and the amount of vehicles and equipment needed to film, Taffer needs to rehab at least three bars on any given trip. He is confident he'll return to Iowa, however.

Moreover, the ninth season of Bar Rescue has Taffer taking the metaphorical gloves off and really doubling down on his "no excuses" mantra:

We've had two years of COVID and pandemic and excuses as to why people don't want to do things. Now, the excuses are over. The businesses are doing better. Customers are coming back. This is a chance to make your money and come back. Some of these people, they just don't see it. They're still wounded by COVID, and they're sitting on their butts rather than getting off their butts and seizing the opportunity. And they need a swift kick in the butt, by me! - Jon Taffer

Beyond that, Taffer gave some context on his "three step rule" for any bar or restaurant. Often you can discern a bar's quality and level of cleanliness from the front door and entryway alone. He touched on his "salt and pepper shaker test," which he employs everywhere he goes.

Taffer also talked about navigating building and fire codes when conducting his remodels and the future of the bar/restaurant industry with many factors at play. He couldn't have been more fun to talk to, as he's always a beacon of insight and analysis.

Take a listen to my interview with Jon Taffer below, and gear up for a new season of Bar Rescue, which premieres Sunday, February 25th at 9pm CST on Paramount Network!