Restaurant Empire

The player assumes the role of Armand LeBoeuf, a young chef who has recently taken over his uncle's restaurant. As the new owner, the player makes decisions on the kind of cuisine the restaurant serves (American, French, or Italian), what specific dishes go on the menu, and the staffing from the chef on down to the waiters, among other things. The ultimate goal of the game is to keep guests happy and make money at the same time.{{Cite web |last=Butts |first=Steve |date=27 May 2003 |title=Restaurant Empire |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/28/restaurant-empire |access-date=28 May 2023 |website=ign.com |archive-date=11 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111012358/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/28/restaurant-empire |url-status=live }}

The main gameplay mode features some story details and periodic minigames to flesh out the simulation. There is also a sandbox mode, which is basically freeform. Sandbox play removes many of the limitations the player faces in the main story mode, but there are no challenges either.{{Cite web |date=12 August 2003 |title=Trevor Chan's Restaurant Empire Review |url=https://www.gamewatcher.com/reviews/trevor-chans-restaurant-empire-review/10424 |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=gamewatcher.com |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529043547/https://www.gamewatcher.com/reviews/trevor-chans-restaurant-empire-review/10424 |url-status=live }}

In the game, a global culinary conglomerate, Omnifood, controls over 60% of the world's restaurants and is rapidly growing. The player must compete against Omnifood.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Dan |date=26 February 2003 |title=Restaurant Empire |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/26/restaurant-empire-2 |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=ign.com |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529043548/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/26/restaurant-empire-2 |url-status=live }}

The player takes the role of Armand LeBeouf, a recent graduate from a French culinary school given the opportunity by his uncle to run his own restaurant. Later, the player is given the opportunity to attract investment capital and open more restaurants.

{{Video game reviews

|MC = 76/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/trevor-chans-restaurant-empire/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Trevor Chan's Restaurant Empire for PC Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=July 13, 2019|archive-date=November 11, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231111182641/https://www.metacritic.com/game/trevor-chans-restaurant-empire/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|url-status=live}}

|CGM = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|title=Restaurant Empire|magazine=Computer Games Magazine|publisher=theGlobe.com|issue=152 |date=July 2003|page=80}}

|CGW = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|author=Jongewaard, Dana|title=Restaurant Empire|magazine=Computer Gaming World|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=227|date=June 2003|page=85}}

|GI = 6.75/10{{cite magazine|author=Brogger, Kristian|title=Restaurant Empire|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|issue=123|date=July 2003|page=120}}

|GSpot = 7.7/10{{cite web|author=Colayco, Bob|date=April 11, 2003|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/restaurant-empire-review/1900-6025000/|title=Restaurant Empire Review|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=July 13, 2019|archive-date=June 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602020433/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/restaurant-empire-review/1900-6025000/|url-status=live}}

|GSpy = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|author=Rausch, Allen|date=May 6, 2003|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/restaurant-empire/5855p1.html|title=GameSpy: Restaurant Empire|website=GameSpy|publisher=IGN Entertainment|accessdate=July 13, 2019|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406181017/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/restaurant-empire/5855p1.html|url-status=live}}

|IGN = 7.8/10{{cite web|author=Butts, Steve|date=May 27, 2003|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/28/restaurant-empire|title=Restaurant Empire|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|accessdate=July 13, 2019|archive-date=June 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602020433/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/28/restaurant-empire|url-status=live}}

|PCGUS = 79%{{cite magazine|author=Humphries, Scott|title=Restaurant Empire |magazine=PC Gamer|publisher=Future US|volume=10|issue=7|date=July 2003|page=81}}

}}

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. It was criticized for its poor soundtrack, blurry textures, and blocky character models, but praised for overall good gameplay.

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Enlight produced a sequel, Restaurant Empire II. Game publisher Paradox Interactive signed an agreement with Enlight to bring the game to stores in North America. The game's release was delayed over six times; it was finally released on May 26, 2009.

The new game has several new features, including the addition of German cuisine, as well as the city of Munich, as a location for the player to expand their restaurant chain.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|restaurant-empire.com}}
• {{moby game|id=/windows/restaurant-empire}}

{{Enlight}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2003 video games

Category:Business simulation games

Category:Enlight Software games

Category:Fictional chefs

Category:Fictional French people

Category:Works set in restaurants

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Video games about food and drink

Category:Video games developed in China

Category:Windows games

Category:Windows-only games

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