This week, Tilman Fertitta meets with Michael Pampinella of All American Design Center.
All American Design Center is a premier fabricator of custom projects for nightclubs and casinos around the country, according to their website. Their design specialties feature wood, metal and fabric, which provide a unique experience for commercial and entertainment spaces, especially through bottle presentations.
Looking to jazz up the customer experience at Gold Diggers nightclub, Fertitta hopes to use their unique designs. He is impressed with the bottle presentation and likes the fact that they did $1.3 million in revenue last year. He is, however, concerned about balancing efficiency and aesthetics so he challenges him to push his creativity and design something entirely unique for Gold Diggers.
Fertitta worries when Pampinella’s indecisiveness and lack of sharing opinions get in the way of explaining his concept. After it wears off, however, he begins presenting more ideas. He comes prepared to present frozen cocktails on the service cart but the process is very slow. The service cart also did not help increase sales for the evening. Fertitta sees it as more of a special occasion use given that the cart would not pay for itself. He then moves on to the next challenge: redesign the entire space.
Mad scientist or Bellini maker? #BillionDollarBuyer pic.twitter.com/pa0kivj2O1
— Billion Dollar Buyer (@BillionDollarTV) February 15, 2017
In the board room, Pampinella presents the idea of a country saloon called Ugly Doly. The plan includes a smaller bar, mechanical bull, expanded indoor space and more. Fertitta is impressed with his confidence but questions why architecture and engineering were not included in their pitch. He is frustrated that many crucial aspects were left out of the design concept.
Ultimately, Fertitta determines that they are not ready to take on such a big-scale project and decides not to make a deal.
Social Media Reacts to All American Design Center’s Appearance on “Billion Dollar Buyer”
Episode Keys: Balancing Efficiency and Aesthetics always! #BillionDollarBuyer
— Dan++Daniel G P JorDanSedin ##22 ,, “ DJS “ (@DanDanielGPJS22) February 15, 2017
@BillionDollarTV @TilmanJFertitta Nervous, much?! Yikes. Communication is important in a designer. #BillionDollarBuyer
— Lynn C Johnston (@lynncjohnston) February 15, 2017
@BillionDollarTV @TilmanJFertitta Creativity must not trump functionality. Hope Mike designs better than he talks. #BillionDollarBuyer
— Lynn C Johnston (@lynncjohnston) February 15, 2017
Mike P is creative but timing is everything when you're trying yo increase revenue! #speedup #valueproposition #BillionDollarBuyer
— Tammy Motola (@tmotola) February 15, 2017
Mike's inability to perform well under pressure may be an issue for a high production manager like @TilmanJFertitta. #BillionDollarBuyer
— Tretta Bush (@TrettaBush) February 15, 2017
Have to give Tilman a TON of credit 4 not giving up at the first sign of something not working #AnotherOpportunity #BillionDollarBuyer #Mike
— Dan++Daniel G P JorDanSedin ##22 ,, “ DJS “ (@DanDanielGPJS22) February 15, 2017
According to CNBC, the reality television show “introduces promising companies across the country to one of America’s most successful businessmen: billionaire hospitality mogul Tilman Fertitta, Chairman, CEO, and sole shareholder of Landry’s, Inc.” Featured entrepreneurs present their small business to Fertitta in the hopes that he will place a large purchase order. But before they make their pitch, they must prove to the hospitality mogul that their product is worth it through challenges and customer feedback.
What are your thoughts on All American Design Center? Do you think Fertitta should have made an offer? Sound off in the comments section below!
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