Which of these 50+ BBQ (Barbecue, BAR-B-Q, Bar-b-que) chains are your favorites… and why?
FranBest.com is putting together the definitive guide to BBQ and related restaurant franchise opportunities, and we need your input.
We know some BBQ aficionados and purists out there may turn up their noses at chain barbecue joints, but we want to know which chains have been able to successfully duplicate great bbq taste and atmosphere across multiple locations and operators.
Leave a comment, accolade and/or endorsement for your favorite(s) below. Franchise owners, franchisees & employees are welcome to brag on their own chain (after all, you eat it all the time).
Here’s our list so far. Have we missed any?
| BBQ CHAIN | Headquarters | Info |
| Bad Bob’s BBQ | Dyersburg, TN | |
| Baker’s Ribs | Dallas, TX | |
| Bandana’s BAR-B-Q | Chesterfield, MO | |
| Bar-B-Cutie | Brentwood, TN | |
| Bar-B-QSA | Saratoga Springs, NY | New concept from PJ’s Bar B Q |
| Beach Pit BBQ | Irvine, CA | |
| Billy Sims BBQ | Tulsa, OK | 12 locations in OK, MO. Franchises available. |
| Bonos Pit Bar-B-Q | Jacksonville, FL | |
| Brock’s Bar-B-Que | Chester, VA | Franchised? |
| Brother’s BBQ | Madisonville, KY | Franchised? |
| Buddy’s Bar b q | Knoxville, TN | |
| Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q | Orlando, Florida | Franchised? |
| City Barbecue | Dublin, Ohio | Franchised? |
| Colter’s Texas BBQ | Dallas, TX | |
| Coopers BBQ | Llano, Texas | Franchised? |
| Corky’s BBQ | Memphis, TN | |
| Damon’s Grill | Columbus, OH | |
| Dickey’s BBQ | Dallas, TX | |
| Dinosaur BBQ | Syracuse, NY | 3 NY locations. 42K+ Facebook fans. |
| Dreamland BBQ | Vestavia, AL | |
| Famous Dave’s | Minnetonka, MN | 52 company & 125 franchise locations in 36 states |
| Fat Jack’s | Williamstown, NJ | |
| Fire Fresh BBQ | Louisville, KY | |
| Golden Rule BBQ | Miramar Beach, FL | |
| Gyu-Kaku | Gardena, CA | |
| L&L Hawaiian Barbecue | Honolulu, HI | |
| Hickory River Smokehouse | Tipp City, OH | |
| Hole in the Wall BBQ | Eugene, OR | |
| Hook’s BBQ | Opp, Alabama | |
| Jack’s Old South | Dyersburg, TN | |
| Joey’s Smoking BBQ | Torrance, CA | |
| Love’s BBQ | Diamond Bar, CA | Jakarta? |
| Maurice’s BBQ | West Columbia, SC | Franchised? |
| Melvin’s BBQ | Charleston, SC | Franchised? |
| Moe’s Original BBQ | Vail, CO | |
| Ono Hawaiian BBQ | Walnut, CA | Not franchising |
| Original Thai BBQ | Los Angeles, CA | |
| Pee Wee’s Pit BBQ | Scottsville, VA | |
| Pigman | Kill Devil Hills, NC | |
| PJ’s Bar B Q | Saratoga Springs, NY | |
| Red Hot & Blue | Winston-Salem, NCn-Sa, NC | |
| Rib City | Fort Myers, FL | |
| Rib Crib | Tulsa, OK | |
| Rudy’s Bar-B-Q | Austin, TX | |
| Shane’s Rib Shack | Atlanta, GA | |
| Smithfield’s Chicken ‘n Bar-B-Q | Cary, NC | |
| Smokey Bones | Orlando, FL | |
| Smoking Joe’s BBQ | St. Louis, MI | |
| Sonny Bryans | Dallas, TX | |
| Sonny’s BAR-B-Q | Maitland, FL | 139 restaurants in 9 SE states. Franchises available. |
| McGhin’s Southern Pit Bar-B-Que | Griffin, GA | |
| Squealer’s Barbeque | Indianapolis, IN | |
| Stonewall’s BBQ | Picayune, MS | |
| The Little Dooey | Cornelius, NC | |
| The Shed BBQ | Ocean Springs, MS | “The Original Shed in Ocean Springs, Ms , the Mobile, Alabama location and our vending cart, affectionately known as the “Rollin’ Joint” are family owned. The rest of our locations, Scott, La. Gulfport, Ms. Destin, Fl. are franchises.” |
| Three Little Pigs BBQ | Kansas City, MO | Franchised? |
| Tony Roma’s | Plano, TX | |
| Virginia BBQ | Beaverdam, VA | |
| Viteks BBQ | Waco, Texas | |
| Voodoo BBQ & Grill | Baton Rouge, LA | |
| Whitt’s Barbecue | Nashville, TN | |
| Whole Hog Cafe | Little Rock, Arkansas | |
| Willie Jewell’s | Jacksonville, FL | |
| Woody’s BBQ | Jacksonville, FL | |
LOVE BARBECUE? WHICH CHAIN DO YOU RECOMMEND AND WHY?
BBQ franchisors, for advertising info on the upcoming guides, please email Sean Kelly at info[at]franbest.com.
