Franchise Information

So you want to open a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse?

Well, if you love food and being active in your community, being a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse franchisee might be for you.

Do you have what it takes?

The BBQ business requires a lot of passion, effort and hard work to be successful. The McFarlands, owners of the Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse franchise, are experts in not only the BBQ business, but they are also living proof that hard work and passion pay off. After more than 75 years in operation, Bar-B-Cutie has grown to multiple locations in the American South, and the new smokehouse concept is poised to be the first name brand BBQ franchise in the nation.

Bar-B-Cutie is looking for operators not investors. As an iconic BBQ franchise with over 75 years of experience in the BBQ restaurant business, Bar-B-Cutie boasts a proven business model, a first-rate executive team with decades of living and breathing BBQ, and helping a growing number of entrepreneurs to succeed in the BBQ business.

Answers to Common Questions About the Iconic Franchise Opportunity

How much does a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse franchise cost?

The total investment estimate to begin operations on a new franchise location with Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse ranges between $663,649 – $2,080,491. The franchise fee for your first franchise with Bar-B-Cutie is $35,000. This is achieved by offering two franchise models:

Model A – 2,500 to 3,000 square feet End Cap or Retrofit with a Drive-Thru.

Model B – 4,067 to 4,400 square feet Free Standing Building with a Drive-Thru built from Ground Up.

Why is Bar-B-Cutie a great fit for veterans?

Veterans are uniquely qualified to franchise with Bar-B-Cutie, as they have a proven ability to follow systems, procedures and processes necessary to make any venture successful. Because our business model is easy to run and easy to scale, requiring only a background in managing people, Bar-B-Cutie is a perfect fit for honorably discharged veterans who aspire to turn their dreams of entrepreneurship into reality. Honorably discharged veterans are eligible to receive 20% off of their first franchise fee.

What are the financial requirements for franchising with Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse?

To franchise with Bar-B-Cutie, you will need to have the required minimum liquid capital of $350,000 to open your own new business and a minimum net worth of $1,500,000.

Will you help me secure financing?

We do not offer direct financing. However, we work with a number of third-party financial institutions that may be able to help you with financing.

Is there a continuing royalty fee?

Yes. The continuing royalty fee is 5% plus 2% to a national marketing fund.

What experience do I need?

We recommend that you have a proven track record of leadership experience, are confident in your ability to manage people, an entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to follow our proven business model as you bring the iconic Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse to your community.

How does Bar-B-Cutie make their BBQ?

We make our barbecue the old fashioned way — by slow roasting meat for an incredibly long time. Bar-B-Cutie uses its own proprietary sauces and seasonings to make our food extra delicious and unique to us.

I’ve never built a store before. How does this work?

Our management team will guide you through all phases of the site selection, construction, training, grand opening and ongoing processes for marketing and operations.

Where should I look for a location for my restaurant?

• High daytime population is beneficial, through high concentrations of office, hospitals, universities and similar lunch traffic generators. High daytime population also provides catering opportunities.
• Requires a strong residential base with easy access to predominant retail and restaurant concentration.
• We target a 3-mile population of 50,000 or more (or 10-minute drive time).
• Unobstructed visibility, from main traffic arteries and corridors
• 35-40 parking spaces required for guests and employees
• Preferred minimum traffic amount of 30,000 vehicles per day
• Signage on the maximum number of building sides, along with representation on existing (or future) multi-tenant monument and/or pylon signs

How large of a space do I need for a Bar-B-Cutie restaurant?

Bar-B-Cutie is designed to have a flexible footprint, which makes the process to secure the perfect location for your franchise easier, shortens your build-out time and gets your business up and running quicker. Typically, we look for existing restaurants to convert, which makes the process of opening a new location that much easier and more affordable. 

Another option we offer is construction of a new building from the ground up, which allows us to be strategic in every aspect of the architecture including:

• Kitchen engineered to maximize efficiency in labor and equipment layout
• Drive-thru lane customized to give customers easy in and out access
• Interior and exterior that showcase local products and ingredient transparency
• Draft beers along with our house margarita

How many employees do I need?

A typical Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse will require a maximum of 20-25 people, including all full-time and part-time workers. Through our hands-on pit master training course, your pit master will learn and leave with the knowledge and know-how to smoke any of our meats your customers crave.

Do you offer training and support?

Bar-B-Cutie has developed an intensive training platform that includes how to manage every aspect of your business, including the most important part: how to correctly serve our BBQ to your customers. We also train you on how to manage customer relationships and effectively market your business in your community including social media platforms. We provide continual reviews to help you meet financial and performance goals, including the development of a business plan before you open your doors.

How much can I make?

Once you have completed your Franchise Application, it will be reviewed and upon meeting qualifying factors, our FDD will be provided to you during our first in person meeting.

What to do now:

Go to your closest Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse and enjoy some Brisket or Pulled Pork.

Read over this information along with the full website.

Take a few minutes to submit an inquiry HERE. There is no commitment in doing so.

We will contact you to provide an overview of what is involved. We may also ask some additional information about you.

Submit a franchise application with any principals and operating partners.

Meet with us to discuss if Bar-B-Cutie is right for you and you are right for Bar-B-Cutie.

Go back to your closest Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse for some more Brisket or Pork and ask yourself if this is really what you want to do.
If so, sign a franchise agreement and let's get to work.