As the creator, host and executive producer of Bar Rescue on the Paramount Network, which just wrapped its seventh season, Taffer has led the show to account for nearly 25% of the network’s programing and over 90 million viewers. Bar Rescue spotlights Jon as he saves failing bars from looming closure, leverages Taffer’s four decades of unprecedented industry experience and trademarked “Reaction Management” strategy to offer advisement on everything from menu design to cost management. In 2019 the show exceeded 180 episodes and is expected to reach 200 episodes in 2020.
Concurrently, Jon runs Taffer Dynamics, his business operations firm which offers dynamic models for a range of well-known establishments and brands, including the NFL, InBev, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Sheraton, Intercontinental, Fridays, Buffalo Wild Wings, Famous Dave’s Barbecue, and Wolfgang Puck Express. In addition, Taffer helped to create and chaired the Nightclub & Bar Show.
In the spring of 2019, Jon launched Taffer’s Mixologist, a line of cocktail mixes that brings the craft experience to the home. The line of delicious, high-quality, pre-made cocktail mixes contain no artificial preservatives, are mixologist-tested and are Jon Taffer approved. The current line includes the following popular cocktails: Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Mojito, Piña Colada, Skinny Margarita, and Strawberry Margarita. In addition to the mixes, Taffer’s Mixologist also launched a line of sparkling craft cocktail hard seltzers in the fall of 2019 that includes the following flavors: California Lime, Cherry Lime, Cucumber Jalapeño, Grapefruit Moon, Pineapple Coconut, Strawberry Basil and Taffer’s Original (Elderflower).
Jon partnered with Fransmart, the industry-leading franchise development company (The Halal Guys, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, QDOBA Mexican Grill), to create Taffer’s Tavern, an innovative restaurant concept based on a high-volume, small footprint format that uses the latest technologies to produce high-quality food and beverage offerings without the need for a traditional commercial kitchen. The concept is based on the Taffer’s Safe Dining System™, creating one of the safest franchise brands in history. The franchise’s first location opened October 2020 in Atlanta, GA, with additional locations already secured in the Atlanta, Boston, MA and Washington, D.C. areas.
As an author, Jon wrote Don’t Bullsh*t Yourself, a no-nonsense guide that helps people understand and overcome the excuses holding them back from success, became a New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller in its first week of release. Jon’s first book, Raise the Bar, an Action-Based Method for Maximum Customer Reactions, also hit the Wall Street Journal’s best-seller list.
In 2018 Taffer launched his podcast The Jon Taffer Podcast. The weekly show features Taffer’s trademark straight talk and unapologetic approach to daily topics, current events and celebrity interviews. In addition to his genuine opinions and in-your-face analysis on these topics, Taffer offers tough-love advice to fans in the interactive program. Since its launch, Jon has interviewed celebrities and industry trailblazers such as Mark Cuban, Daymond John, Dr. Phil McGraw, Maria Menounos, Martellus Bennet, Jenny McCarthy, Jim Harbaugh, Dennis Miller, Barstool Sports Big Cat, Robert Irvine, Daniel Negreanu, Guy Fieri, Rick Harrison and more.
As an entrepreneur and business expert, Jon has been featured in leading publications such as Forbes Magazine, Entrepreneur, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times, among other prominent media outlets. He has appeared as a guest on shows ranging from Rachael Ray to Jimmy Kimmel Live to Good Morning America. In addition, Taffer is a regular guest on Fox Business Network, MSNBC and CNBC.
Some of Jon’s past awards and accolades include:
• Operator of the Year by Nightclub & Bar
• Property of Year (not once, but twice) by Nightclub & Bar
• Visionary Leader Award by Hospitality of Beverage Media
• Creator of the NFL’s Sunday Ticket
• Nightclub Hall of Fame inductee
• United Kingdom’s “Pub Master” distinction by Allied Pubs
• Dom Perignon Award of Excellence from UNLV’s College of Hotel Administration
• The Friday’s “Propeller Award” for the greatest contribution to their business
When he’s not dedicating his time to bringing back businesses from the brink, Taffer volunteers his time with the Keep Memory Alive Board of Directors supporting the mission of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. He also regularly offers up his seasoned hospitality skills to the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he helps faculty develop curriculum that is in line with industry expectations and trends.
Married for over 20 years to his wife Nicole, who he fell in love with at first sight at Super Bowl XXX, Jon spends what little spare time he has traveling with her. He also enjoys spending time with his daughter and grandson, and occasionally sipping one of his favorite cocktails: The Godfather.
