Kitchen Nightmares Restaurant Will Relaunch Next Week

Amy's Baking Company — now infamous for its Facebook freakout following a terrible showing on Kitchen Nightmares — has announced in a Facebook press release that they will host a "Grand Re-opening" on May 21st. The statement also explains that after reopening, the restaurant will donate "a portion" of their proceeds to "a charity organized to bring awareness to cyber bullying." Maybe that delightful Meow Mix video of owner Amy Bouzaglo hurt her feelings.

According to the statement, the re-opening will allow customers to "decide who is correct: a famous celebrity chef or the marketplace." Amy and Samy Bouzaglo will be at the restaurant for the event so that customers can "judge for themselves the[ir] character." The Bouzaglos have hired the firm Rose+Moser+Allyn Public & Online Relations to handle the re-opening and represent the restaurant. Probably a good call.

They certainly need the help. The waitress who was fired on the episode hosted an AMA on Reddit in which she said: "none of amy or samy's actions were staged. people may have purposely sent back their food or falsely complained for a chance to be on tv, but that's about it. everything else was 100% real." Similarly, a customer who attended the filming told The Republic that the physical altercation between Samy and his customer was "more intense than even what they showed on TV."

Indeed, Samy's temper has continued to flare in the aftermath of the show. AZFamily.com stopped by the restaurant to find Samy hustling a curious potential customer off the premise shouting "This is opening fire. This is Internet war!" That video is below.

From the looks of the press release, the PR firm is trying to present a kinder, gentler Samy. More eloquent than angry, Samy (or more likely his press rep) is quoted in the release: "We are very upset by what has taken place, apologize about the acrimony that has ensued but now must fight back to save our business. We hope and believe much good can result from what has transpired." Below, Samy dealing with acrimony, and the full press release:

Video: Amy's Baking Company owners go from reality TV to Internet infamy

Other Side of Amy's Baking Company Controversy in Scottsdale To Soon Be Told

SCOTTSDALE, AZ. MAY 15, 2013 -- Amy's Baking Company will host a Grand Re-Opening on Tuesday night, May 21, following unflattering portrayals on national television.

Customers will be able to decide who is correct: a famous celebrity chef or the marketplace that has supported the small, locally-owned business for six years.

When re-opened, a portion of proceeds will benefit a charity organized to bring awareness to cyber bullying.

Seating is limited. Reservations may be made by emailing sjones@rosemoserallynpr.com.

Diners will also have the opportunity to meet, and judge for themselves the character of owners Amy and Samy Bouzaglo, who have devoted their lives to and earn their living from their small restaurant. The Bouzaglos have been married for 10 years, after Sammy emigrated from Israel.

The owners will likely be holding a press conference before the Grand Re-Opening and answer falsehoods depicted on a reality television show, including assertions that the restaurant confiscates tips from servers.

In fact, wait staff is paid $8-$14 per hour, two and half to nearly five times the standard hourly wage for servers.

Questions will also be answered about what happened to their Facebook page.

Amy's Baking Company was recently featured on the hit PBS show "Check Please" and has received A+ reports from CBS 5 for kitchen preparedness.

"We are very upset by what has taken place, apologize about the acrimony that has ensued but now must fight back to save our business. We hope and believe much good can result from what has transpired. We ask the public to keep an open mind as we begin to tell our side of the story," Samy Bouzaglo said.

· Other Side of Amy's Baking Company Controversy [Facebook]
· Amy's Baking Co. owners go from reality TV to Internet infamy [AZFamily.com]
· All Kitchen Nightmares Coverage on Eater [-E-]