Jon Taffer, the award-winning hospitality expert, entrepreneur and star and executive producer of Paramount Network's "Bar Rescue," will headline the 2026 Texas Restaurant Show with a keynote session on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 11:40 a.m. CT at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The appearance coincides with an accelerated expansion push for Taffer's Tavern, the full-service pub franchise Taffer founded, across one of the country's fastest-growing restaurant markets.
Speaking as part of the show's education lineup, Taffer will draw on nearly 40 years of hospitality experience to deliver a session on what it takes to build, fix and scale a restaurant and bar business. Known for his trademarked "Reaction Management" strategy — the same approach he uses to turn around failing bars on "Bar Rescue" — Taffer will offer Texas operators a practical look at leadership and building systems that scale, along with how he is applying those principles to grow Taffer's Tavern nationally.
"Texas operators don't need theory. They need what works," said Taffer. "I built my career fixing bars that were bleeding money because nobody had a system. That's what I'm bringing to this stage – real systems, real reactions, the stuff that separates operators who scale from the ones who stall out. This is exactly the audience Taffer's Tavern was built for."
A Career Built on Turning Bars Around
When he is not filming Season 10 of "Bar Rescue," Taffer chairs Taffer Dynamics, his business consulting firm, where he has advised brands including the NFL Network, Anheuser-Busch, Ritz-Carlton and Fortune 500 names such as Hyatt Hotels and Marriott International. He is also the New York Times best-selling author of three books, including his newest, "The Power of Conflict: Speak Your Mind and Get the Results You Want," and the creator of Taffer's Browned Butter Bourbon.
Taffer's Tavern: The Modern-Day Old-World Tavern
Taffer's Tavern positions itself as a modern-day tavern designed with the charm of traditional "Old-World" pubs but built for today's dining experiences, reimagining comfort food and classic cocktails through innovation, flavor and hospitality.
The franchise features a "fast-craft" cocktail program that pairs advanced mixology with social-forward presentation. Signature cocktails are backed by a curated liquor list spanning national favorites and regional distilleries, while a floor-to-ceiling bar carries local beer selections, drafts and a wine program tailored to market preferences.
Since debuting in Atlanta in 2020, Taffer's has grown through a joint venture with Craveworthy Brands, the multi-restaurant platform company, which the brand credits with unlocking new growth opportunities and franchise support. With multiple locations open across metro Atlanta and in Orlando, Taffer's operates on a model built around established operating systems, guest experience and a streamlined, low-overhead design.
Setting the Bar High in Texas
Taffer's is targeting Texas as a key growth market, with its sights set on some of the state's largest and fastest-growing metros, including Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. The brand is actively seeking experienced multi-unit operators and hospitality-minded entrepreneurs to bring the concept to those communities.
According to IBISWorld, the U.S. bar and tavern industry exceeded $39 billion in 2025 and continues to grow as consumers seek experience-driven concepts that balance social connection with quality food and drink.
"Texas is where operators win," said Gregg Majewski, CEO and Founder of Craveworthy. "Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio – big metros, growing populations, operators who appreciate the bar business. We don't need to be the biggest name in Texas. We need to be the best business in the category, and that's what Taffer's Tavern delivers. Jon on that stage puts this directly in front of the right people. We're betting big on Texas."
Texas Restaurant Show attendees interested in franchise opportunities can connect with the team on-site at the Craveworthy Brands booth (No. 1151) in Exhibit Hall 3 and 4, or visit tafferstavernfranchising.com. More information on the show is available at txrestaurantshow.com.
Craveworthy Brands is a multi-brand restaurant platform and franchisor with more than 20 concepts and over 300 locations in the U.S. and internationally. Taffer's Tavern counts Shift4, Middleby Corporation and Krowne among its operating partners.
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