Start a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse Franchise in 2025

2024 Franchise 500 Rank: N/R Ranked #461 last year

Initial investment: $664K - $2.1M

Units as of 2022: 12 9.1% over 3 years

People are passionate about barbeque, and when it’s done right, a single bite can make all worries disappear. Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse has made a name serving customers in the American South with unforgettable world-class barbeque.

Founded in 1950 by Eddie and Mildred McFarland, Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse set out to serve a smoky taste of home-style BBQ that customers love. Through a unique business model that relies on sourcing local meat and wood, the brand considers every meal an opportunity to serve diners with the best barbeque. With over five decades in the industry, it’s safe to say that Bar-B-Cutie may be home to some excellent pitmasters.

Customers may appreciate the Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse promise that a good time is always a meal away. With quality food, service, hefty portions, and an on-time guarantee, Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse always tries to make the cut.

Why You May Want To Start a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse Franchise

Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse adheres to a set of core values that uphold integrity, creativity, diversity, and teamwork. The company looks for individuals with great communication skills and a passion for meeting customers' culinary needs.

Franchisees do not typically need a background in the food industry, but a little passion for BBQ cuisine can blend in with the Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse mission. Since Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse strives to never lose sight of the importance of having fun, franchisees should be ready to adapt to the brand’s values and culture.

What Might Make a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse Franchise a Good Choice?

Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse is a place where customers meet to treat themselves and share a love for good food. As an iconic family-owned business with experience and expertise, Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse may be the best place to serve communities that love BBQ.

Opening a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse may have a more predictable outcome than investing in a completely new brand. After a few decades of existence, Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse understands what it takes to grow its brand. While the brand may not offer exclusive territories, it’s ready to prepare franchisees with strategies to thrive in a crowded and competitive industry.

To be part of the Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse team, you should make sure you’re financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company’s set net worth and liquid capital requirements.

How To Open a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse Franchise

Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse is actively seeking franchisees passionate about BBQ to join their brand as it expands nationwide. For franchisees, Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse has set up an easy-to-own business model that eliminates mistakes that starters often make.

Before making any financial commitments, research your local area to see if Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse would do well in your community. As part of your due diligence, you may also want to speak to existing franchisees and ask the Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse franchising team questions.

After completing the initial steps of applying for a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse franchise, you should compile a set of questions as you move forward with an initial phone call and attend a company discovery day.

Company Overview

About Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse

Industry	Food
Related Categories	Miscellaneous Quick-Service Restaurants, Barbecue , Miscellaneous Full-Service Restaurants
Founded	1950
Parent Company	Bar-B-Cutie Franchise Systems LLC
Leadership	Brett McFarland, COO
Corporate Address	5120 Virginia Wy., #B-23 Brentwood, TN 37027
Social	Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Business Overview

Franchising Since	2003 (22 years)
# of employees at HQ	7
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises in the following US states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas
# of Units	12 (as of 2022)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Definition: The initial fee paid to a franchisor to join their system What you need to know: Found in Item 5 of the FDD, this may be a flat fee, or may vary based on territory size, experience, or other factors.The franchise fee is an up-front (one-time) cost that a new franchisee pays to the franchisor. This fee is usually due at the signing of the franchise agreement and covers the right to use the franchisor's trademarks, name, and related business systems.	$35,000
Initial Investment Definition: The total amount necessary to begin operation of the franchise What you need to know: The initial investment includes the franchise fee, along with other startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital. This is outlined in a chart in Item 7 of the FDD, showing a range of possible costs from low to high.	$663,649 - $2,080,491
Net Worth Requirement Definition: The minimum net worth you must have in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company What you need to know: Net worth is the value of a person's assets minus liabilities. Assets include cash, stocks, retirement accounts, and real estate. Liabilities include items like mortgages, car payments, and credit card debt.	$750,000 - $2,500,000
Cash Requirement Definition: The minimum liquid capital you must have available in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company.	$200,000 - $460,000
Veteran Incentives Definition: A discount or other incentive offered to military veterans who buy a franchise with this company.	20% off franchise fee
Royalty Fee Definition: A ongoing fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis. What you need to know: Most franchisors require franchisees to pay an ongoing royalty fee, which is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. This fee is typically a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales, but may also be a flat weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	5%
Ad Royalty Fee Definition: An going fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis to support advertising or marketing efforts. What you need to know: This may also be called advertising fee, marketing fee, brand fund fee, and more, but the basic purpose is the same-- to support promotion of the brand systemwide. As with the royalty fee, it is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD, and can be a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales or a weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	2%
Term of Agreement Definition: The length of time your franchise agreement will last. What you need to know: Franchise terms are typically anywhere from 5 to 20 years in length, but are sometimes instead dependent on factors such as the term of your lease. Once your term is up, you may have the option to renew your agreement, typically for a smaller fee than the original franchise fee.	10 years
Is franchise term renewable?	Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

Third Party Financing	Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training	231.5 hours
Ongoing Support	Purchasing Co-ops Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security & Safety Procedures Lease Negotiation Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social Media SEO Website Development Email Marketing Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Definition: The business can be run from your home and/or a vehicle, and it is not necessary to have a retail facility, office space, or warehouse.	No
Can this franchise be run part time? Definition: This business can be run by the owner on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours per week) and/or as a side business; it is not necessary for the business to be open/run full-time.	No
# of employees required to run	20-24
Are exclusive territories available? Definition: An exclusive territory is a fixed area in which you are given the right to operate and in which no other units of the same franchise may be opened. What you need to know: Territory size may be based on factors such as radius, population size, zip codes, and more. Details can be found in Item 12 of the FDD.	No