And we (Americans) eat it right up because anyone with a British accent automatically exudes authority and instills a bit of brow-scraping from the frothing masses. Also, a large portion of American has never traveled to other countries, nor experienced anything but domestic accolades and propaganda for their whole lives.

So yeah, the irony.

I've only watched a few episodes, but it seems like he's kind to the wait staff and cooks generally, and reserves most of his venom for owners and managers

American Dream right there, being an unimaginably brash asshole to subservient employees, and that makes you famous.

In his (our?) defense, isn't he usually fairly kind (if still foul-mouthed) to the staff, and relentlessly harsh only on the owners?