Each episode generally has a unifying theme with the host visiting multiple restaurants within a single city to sample the food that corresponds to this theme. The program focuses on small, independent eateries featuring traditional comfort foods, regional styles, or ethnic specialties. Often, the chosen restaurants will use fresh ingredients, home-style recipes, and gourmet culinary approaches to what is usually not considered gourmet food. The host interacts with both the customers, to get their opinion on the food, and with the kitchen staff, who demonstrate how to prepare one or more of the dishes.
In May 2011, Page Productions, the original producers of the show filed a lawsuit against Food Network. The lawsuit alleges that the network failed to pay required production costs, and failed to make the show's host, Guy Fieri, available for taping. A week after Food Network counter-sued the producer, a settlement was reached in August 2011, allowing the 12th season of the show to resume, with a new production company, Citizen Pictures.
Impact
Throughout the years, more than 800 restaurants have been given recognition from this Food Network show and has dramatically drawn in more customers for said businesses. Due to the show's popularity, long term effects have been incredibly visible; increase in sales, large crowds, and even substantial sales increases. Even in 2010, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives had "jump started" Northern Waters Smokehaus's mail-order businesses. In an article by Twin Cities Business, the owner of said story had nothing but positive things to say for the show stating that thanks to the airing of the episode, the growth in business "hasn't slowed". Another example of the show’s positive impact on small, local businesses is when Donatelli’s, a restaurant located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, shares that their appearance in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives “saved us from going out of business.” experiencing an average, sustained 20% increase in sales since the airing of the episode, which was in 2008. The restaurant, over ten years later, is still reaping the benefits of their appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
