Restaurant Reality Show Winner Soul Daddy Already Closed

According to signage on the door, Soul Daddy, the restaurant born from the new NBC Show America's Next Great Restaurant, is closed after just one month operating at the South Street Seaport.

Inquires to the restaurant have yet to be answered, but a worker at the LA location hears it was "an equipment malfunction" and says he hopes it will reopen. But that sign there looks pretty definitive. Which brings up a couple of things. First, the obvious: wow, that was fast. Second: A reality show that was ostensibly centered around finding the best new fast-casual restaurateur in the country with the most bankable concept, supported by a line of celebrity "investors" put forth a restaurant that closed after one month. Could it be that the reality show route isn't the best choice for launching a business?

Expect an update when more info becomes available.

Update: Here's the official release from owner Jamawn Woods: "The realities of running a restaurant are very difficult, more so with multiple locations in multiple cities. After a careful review of the business model and the performance of the restaurants, we have decided that our best opportunity for Soul Daddy’s success is a more focused operation. We have decided to close our restaurant the South Street Seaport in New York, effective today. While it has certainly been a difficult decision, we believe this is the best approach as we work towards ongoing success for Soul Daddy." Guess B Flay and Curtis Stone didn't put up enough cash for three whole restaurants.
· Soul Daddy, America's Next Great Restaurant, to Open in FiDi [~ENY~]