Business Of : Owning a Franchise
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Moe ’ s Original BBQ was founded in 2001 by three Alabama natives — Ben Gilbert from Athens , Mike Fernandez from Tuscaloosa and Jeff Kennedy from Huntsville . More than 20 years later , Moe ’ s BBQ is now being served in more than 60 locations nationally and even internationally . Montgomery is home to one of the franchises , and its success has given owners Hill Lubin and Richard Boyles the confidence to grow by adding a second location in Central Alabama in the coming months , despite facing a new set of post-pandemic challenges . Lubin elaborates and offers his experienced advice to others interested in a restaurant franchise .
When and how did the business get started ?
My business partner , Richard Boyles , and I opened Moe ’ s Original BBQ in Montgomery in July of 2017 . I am originally from Montgomery , and Richard is from Alexander City . We met in 2015 through the three guys that started the Moe ’ s franchise .
Why did you choose to go with a Moe ’ s franchise ?
Richard and I have been a part of the Moe ’ s Original BBQ Franchise System for a combined 25 years . I started working for the founders of Moe ’ s Original BBQ in Vail , Colorado , in 2010 , and Richard has known the three founders even longer . Around 2015 , Richard and I got together to begin scouting locations to open our own store . With me being from Montgomery and Richard being from Alexander City , we both felt that Montgomery needed a fresh take on BBQ .
What does this “ fresh take ” look like ?
We are a “ Southern Soul Food Revival .” We specialize in Alabamastyle barbecue , so pulled pork , smoked chicken , smoked turkey breast , St . Louis style spareribs and smoked wings . Also , we make our sides ( that rotate daily ) and desserts on a daily basis . We offer two BBQ sauces — our traditional red sauce and then an Alabama-style white sauce , that originated in North Alabama .
Are any new locations on the horizon for Moe ’ s ?
While we are only operating a brick and mortar store in Montgomery , we are planning to expand to a second location within the next year . We have always been looking to expand our brand . We felt that having multiple locations in the Tri-County area would be our long term goal , as we want to provide our food and atmosphere to as many people as possible . Finding a new location is always difficult when exploring new areas that we ’ re not
Smokin ’ Success
Owners of the Montgomery location of national restaurant chain Moe ’ s Original BBQ share the ins and outs of owning and running a franchise plus the factors driving their decision to expand . By Kinsey de Torres
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