Fans of the world-famous Gas Monkey brand were delighted to find out very recently that the Gas Monkey Bar & Grill would be back in operation, primarily through a YouTube video by the franchise’s visionary owner Richard Rawlings, posted on 6 July 2024 and entitled “Gas Monkey Bar & Grill is Back!”. While Richard is famous for his participation in Discovery Channel’s “Fast N’ Loud”, and widely recognized as one of the most talented hot-rod modification experts, the bar & grill he created always held a special place in the hearts of his admirers.
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The legend lives
Combining financial difficulties, legal conflicts, and the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic, the original Gas Monkey Bar & Grill, housed on Technology Boulevard in Dallas, had to wind down its operations in the latter half of 2021. The myriad issues came together to warrant a complete corporate rebranding and restructuring, leaving only Gas Monkey Garage running.
Among the legal disputes was a notable slander lawsuit involving Richard Rawlings and Daniel Flaherty, his managing partner. Filed in 2018, it claimed Rawlings slandered Daniel and sought to avoid contractual responsibilities. It was resolved in August 2021, and the Gas Monkey Bar & Grill shut down a month later. The premises were purchased by another party and renamed to Amplified Live – a venue that has nothing to do with Rawlings or the Gas Monkey brand in any capacity.
The fans were desperate until Richard eventually said that the Gas Monkey Bar & Grill will spring up again on more than one site, when the time comes. The aforementioned video detailed the building of a new facility in Sturgis, South Dakota, which is ideally close to the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally’s hub. Situated across from the Sturgis Harley-Davidson store, this new site guarantees great visibility and foot traffic both during and after the rally.
Designed in cooperation with a sharp-minded business partner, the Sturgis site seeks to be a year-round magnet for residents as well as visitors. The facility will focus on offering a vibrant setting with (reputedly) excellent cuisine, cool beer, and live music – all of which have helped to define the Gas Monkey brand over the years. Rawlings shared his enthusiasm about the project, stressing the possibility to improve the Gas Monkey heritage and achieve a long-lasting effect on the nearby population.
The horizon expands even further
Apart from the Sturgis premises, Rawlings is also developing a new Gas Monkey Bar & Grill in Lewisville, Texas. This new space will be a large room including a restaurant, bar, and live music area. Originally the location of Zone Action Park, the Lewisville facility is under development in association with Refined Hospitality Concepts, renowned for their effective venue management including Primo’s MX Kitchen & Lounge. The new site seeks to provide a complete entertainment experience, therefore assuring that guests may enjoy premium eating and live events in a large and well-designed environment.
Following extensive preparation and a strategic change in emphasis, Rawlings’ decision to reopen and begin growth anew comes with the goal of establishing places that provide more than simply a seasonal experience. He’s been looking at different locations and possibilities for several years prior to this point, settling on the most profitable choices and still planning new ones. The announced sites are meant to appeal to locals as well as attendees of events, therefore guaranteeing a consistent flow of revenue all year round.
The nitty and the gritty – How will it be done?
Rawlings revealed in the video that the new place will be built by converting a house that he’s set to buy. Including his sister Daphne and other important individuals, the upload showed his team debating the project’s various logistics and difficulties. The TV star underlined the need to design a venue that benefits the local population throughout every season, and makes use of the surge of guests during big events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
His refreshed concept for the upcoming business sites relies on fusing first-rate eating experiences with great entertainment, aiming to create energetic, friendly areas capable of hosting many activities and drawing a varied clientele. Moreover, he wants to improve the brand’s image and increase its reach by combining live music, excellent cuisine, and a vibrant environment.
It is spelled KAMINSKI! I guess I win employee of the month! @GasMonkeyGarage pic.twitter.com/XaJ1jX4Eam
— daphne (@gmgdaphne) January 28, 2014
The Sturgis site in particular shows a notable role in the future of the company, as the location is believed by both Richard and his team to provide an optimal mix of events and locals that would increase the brand’s recognition and draw a devoted following. That said, making sure the new sites can run effectively and without problems is one of the toughest obstacles for the staff to overcome. This includes obtaining the required licenses, working with nearby distributors and suppliers, and handling the logistics of opening fresh locations.
Richard spoke in detail about integrating seasoned employees who know the nuances of operating a bar and grill, which most importantly includes handling bar operations and supplier co-ordination. Most fans are sold on the idea, and believe that the owner’s well thought-out strategy will allow the site to live up to its promise of offering a first-rate eating and entertainment experience.
Rawlings believes that the true key to success, in Sturgis before anywhere else, is to interact with and impress the nearby population. He wants to establish a devoted client base and guarantee consistent revenue throughout the year, by designing places appealing to both residents and tourists. More than anything, the Sturgis site is supposed to be used in the slower months and provide a friendly environment for people to have dinner and a drink, establishing itself as a constant in the residents’ daily lives.
What is Richard Rawlings’ net worth?
Some of the most credible sources available have estimated the businessman’s current total wealth at more than $18 million, thanks to a number of massively profitable ventures he’s undertaken over the course of his career. Naturally, the reopening of Gas Monkey Bar & Grill is expected to be another bullseye in terms of its success and financial viability, although it will take time for the business to build up steam and get back to its former glory. Nevertheless, Richard’s garage still makes its weight in gold thanks to all the hot-rod modification going on without a pause.
Aside from constantly taking lucrative orders and selling highly modified, modern vehicles under astronomical prices, Rawlings’ business website also offers a number of items for purchase, such as short- and long-sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, button-ups, pants and hats, alongside carbon fiber accessories, beer insulators, patches and stickers. He frequently hosts giveaways of high-value luxury cars, which anyone can enter by making even a single purchase. Last but not least, the website offers branded hot sauces, ideally to be used while enjoying the food at one of the upcoming business locations.
Truth be told, he doesn’t make nearly as much from TV as he used to back in his heyday, but it’s not like he requires a screen presence either, as almost every hot-rod aficionado on the planet is more than familiar with Rawlings’ legacy. The result is that some of the wealthiest vehicle owners will pay top dollar to have their machine recomposed into a beast of the road.
