Status: OPEN (Expanded)
Loyd Have Mercy in Titusville, Florida is one of Restaurant Impossible’s most inspiring success stories. After nearly losing everything, pastor-turned-restaurateur Andrew Loyd not only saved his soul food restaurant but expanded it to a second location in Orlando.
A Pastor’s Passion
Andrew Loyd is both a pastor and a restaurant owner – two callings that both center on serving the community. He opened Loyd Have Mercy to bring his grandmother’s recipes to Titusville, Florida, creating a gathering place for families craving home-style cooking.
But passion doesn’t pay bills. By the time Restaurant Impossible arrived, Andrew had invested $200,000 and was losing $4,000 every month. He had lost hope of ever turning things around.
The Episode (Season 16, Episode 13)
Title: “Saving a Pastor’s Passion”
Air Date: March 5, 2020
Location: 4180 S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL
Robert Irvine arrived to find a man who had given up. His challenge wasn’t just fixing operations – it was helping Andrew rediscover his passion and self-confidence. Sometimes Restaurant Impossible has to rescue the owner’s spirit before it can save the business.
The Transformation
Robert’s intervention addressed the operational bleeding while reconnecting Andrew with why he started the restaurant in the first place. The soul food menu got refinements, the space got a refresh, and Andrew got his fire back.
Pandemic Survivor
Just weeks after filming, COVID-19 shut down restaurants across America. But Loyd Have Mercy didn’t just survive – it stabilized. Andrew used an SBA loan to purchase the building outright, eliminating rent from his monthly expenses and building real equity.
The momentum Robert Irvine created carried the restaurant through the pandemic and beyond.
Expansion to Orlando
In May 2023, Loyd Have Mercy announced its biggest milestone: a second location at Dezerland on International Drive in Orlando. Expanding from a single struggling restaurant to multiple locations is the ultimate Restaurant Impossible success story.
Reviews and Recognition
Loyd Have Mercy maintains stellar reviews:
- Yelp: 4.5 stars on 369+ reviews
- Customers praise authentic soul food
- Family atmosphere consistently highlighted
While some patrons miss older menu items from before the makeover, the overall reception has been overwhelmingly positive.
Visit Information
Original Location: 4180 S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL
Orlando Location: Dezerland on International Drive
Cuisine: Soul Food, Home-style Cooking
Yelp Rating: 4.5 stars (369+ reviews)
View Loyd Have Mercy on Google Maps →
Loyd Have Mercy proves that Restaurant Impossible can change more than a business – it can reignite a person’s purpose.
Last verified: January 2026
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