Favorite BBQ Chains
June 8, 2010
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.
You missed Rudy’s BBQ @rudysbbq
Virginia BBQ is my favorite but I’m a bit biased…they’re longtime customers…great product.
Famous Dave’s!!!
Hi Everyone! The Shed would like to Thank you for putting us on this prestigious list of BBQ Goodness! 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. Those hand picked franchisees have been adopted into the family too! Hope this doesn’t kick us off the list because we’re not a chain! Best of luck to all these fine restaurants! There’s enough bbq lovers in the world to spread the goodness!
Sincerely,
The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint
The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint is absolutely fantastic! GREAT BBQ, GREAT MUSIC, COLD BEER, and a GREAT ATMOSPHERE
You left out Brooks’ in Oneonta, NY
BILLY SIMS BBQ!!!!
You missed the best of all-
Red Hot & Blue !
Red hot and blue is the best especially the ribs, pulled pork and potato salad.
The Pulled Pork, the St. Louis style Ribs all SLOW Smoked and of course the Potato Salad from Red Hot and Blue are the B E S T !!!!!!!!! and All Blues the Time.
Just added: Red, Hot & Blue (correct HQ location), Dinosaur BBQ, Hole in the Wall BBQ, Baker’s Ribs, Whole Hog Cafe, Smithfield’s Chicken ‘n Bar-B-Q.
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Dreamland BBQ sauce is the finest ever made, period. End of discussion.
I LOVE ”’MOE’S BBQ”’ I MUST EAT THERE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK…EVERYTHING IS SO GOOD, MY FAVORITE IS THE BBQ SANDWICH WITH THIER SLAW ON TOP…I WOULD LOVE TO GET THIER CORNBREAD RECIPE…BUT MOST OF ALL,,. THE EMPLOYEE’S ARE ALWAYS SO FRIENDLY AND HAVE A SMILE ON THEIR FACE…….I GO TO THE ”MOE’S” IN FAIRHOPE AND DAPHNE IN ALABAMA…….I FORGOT,,,, THE BANANA PUDDING…
MOE’s ORIGINAL BBQ is the most authenic southern BBQ in the land. With stores from Asheville, NC to Vail, CO the influence is far and wide. Great atmostsphere and fast, friendly service. Great meats (pork, chicken, turkey) and fish (mahi, shrimp, and catfish) accompanied by incredible sides. If there is one in your area you better not miss your chance to get some before its gone. ATLANTA store comin soon! ALSO: check out the Moe’s Origninal BBQ app on your iphone for distances, menu, and specials!
“I TELL YOU WHAT”
I tell you what – Moe’s Originall BBQ is the best BBQ ever. I thought our hometown BBQ joint was the best because I never had anything better. Now that I’ve found Moe’s I’ll never go back! The difference is that they make their food fresh EVERY day. You won’t find week old pulled pork here, or chicken that went from smoker to freezer to your sandwich – all fresh and so yummy!