BBQ has a long history in the U.S. and it is particularly popular in the south. Entrepreneurs who want to cash in on the demand for BBQ can open a fast-causal franchise. An example of a BBQ business is Billy Slims BBQ. The Oklahoma-based BBQ brand is named after a former pro football player. Outside of football, Slims has a passion for barbecue since he's from Hooks, Texas. In the early 2000s, Slims met his business partner, a Kansas City native named Jeff Jackson. They met each other while working on marketing campaigns for retail brands. Since they're both from regions known for BBQ, Jackson knew they had to start a BBQ business together. With that idea in mind, the original Billy Sims Barbecue location opened in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the Farm Shopping Center in 2004. Since then, the BBQ franchise has grown to more than 50 units across six states in the U.S. Franchisees have multiple streams of revenue including catering and online ordering.
To be more involved in the community, you can sponsor fundraisers. The franchisor will help with you site selection and development. You also benefit from the BBQ brand's unified pricing program and great support and training. In terms of support and training, you can expect a four-week initial program that consists of classroom and on-the-job instruction. This will take place at the corporate headquarters before the grand opening of your location. You'll learn everything you need to know about running the business properly. The support and training is ongoing.