TYLER FLORENCE TRAVELS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR FIRST EVER "FOOD COURT WARS"

Teams Compete for Chance to Win a Restaurant in Local Mall Food Courts

Series Premieres Sunday, July 7th at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network

NEW YORK, NY - June 5, 2013 - Food Network takes a journey with Tyler Florence as he scours the United States to help aspiring entrepreneurs realize their lifelong dreams of opening their own restaurant in the new series Food Court Wars, premiering Sunday, July 7th at 10pm ET/PT and airing on Sundays at 8pm ET/PT starting July 14th. Each episode features two teams competing against each other for the chance to open a restaurant, rent-free, for one year in a mall food court. But first, the two teams must create an irresistible food court concept in 48 hours and then outsell the other team in a single day of business at the mall, with the winner awarded their new food court restaurant.

"Malls have long been a hidden source in finding some of the most unique food concepts across the country," said Allison Page, Senior Vice President Programming, Food Network. "The teams competing are all true restaurateurs, testing their culinary skills and business acumen. They have put everything on the line to fulfill their dream of operating their own restaurant year round in a mall food court."

Over the course of six episodes this fast paced competition pits teams in a different U.S. city mall that is looking to fill a spot in their food court with a local eatery that offers a fresh and exciting menu. Not only is the team's food tested, but also their ability to run a successful business, as the teams test their concept, source their produce and create a marketing campaign strong enough to pull in the crowds for their eatery. In the end, the team who makes the most profit is awarded their new food court restaurant on the spot.

In the premiere episode Tyler heads to Meridian, Miss. to give one lucky team a spot in the mall food court. Retirees Mary and Thomas Jordan, a married couple of 45 years, have been selling their famous Mississippi Delta Tamales off a hot plate at a gas station, always imagining how successful they could be with a proper kitchen in the right location. After working in restaurants for the past 10 years, best friends Erika Lipe and Stevo McCain have dreamed of opening their own place serving Authentic New Orleans style Po'Boys, but due to circumstances beyond their control, their careers were put on hold. These two teams will face-off in a battle of good ole' Southern cooking with one team winning their very own food court restaurant! Food Court Wars travels to malls in Spartanburg, S.C.; Wausau, Wis.; Midland, Mich.; Burnsville, Minn.; and Charleston, S.C.

Food Court Wars is produced by One Potato Two Potato.

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