Franchising News

Taste Tracker: CPK sells salad dressings; Arby’s elevates a burger and fries; fan fave doughnuts return to Krispy Kreme; a giant pizza comes to Cici’s; and more menu news of the week. Read full article here

Smokey Mo’s BBQ, a beloved Texas neighborhood barbecue joint, has announced plans to open a new location in Hutto, Texas, further expanding its mouthwatering presence in the state. The restaurant is set to be housed in the Carmel Creek Plaza, located at 120 Chris Kelly Boulevard, Suite 300, and is expected to start renovations on August 15, 2023, with an estimated completion date of November 23, 2023. Read full article here

The Texas barbecue joint, Smokey Mo’s BBQ, announced new lunch menu specials that are both budget-friendly and packed with delicious in-house smoked meats. The lunch specials offer guests a variety of mouthwatering barbecue options on weekdays from 10:30 AM-2 PM. The new Smokey Mo’s lunch specials are bursting with flavor and are priced at $10 or under to ensure the most bang for your buck. Each meal is served with a savory mouthwatering side, and refreshing sweet tea or fountain drink. Guests can choose from the following options: Lunch Plate Combo ⅓ lb of any perfectly seasoned in-house smoked meat including brisket, pork

The Current's Little Bites feature is a weekly roundup of San Antonio food-focused events and news tidbits. The Good Kind is offering Sips and Succulents classes on March 22 and April 26. The classes, which run 6:30-8 p.m., will cover care of these water-storing plants. Participants will paint pots and plant succulents in them while sipping a complimentary glass of wine. Tickets are $65. 1127 S. Saint Mary's St., (210) 801-5892, eatgoodkind.com. Garrison Brothers Distillery will release the third iteration of its limited-edition Garrison Brothers Whiskey & Pecan Pralines ice cream Friday. The sweet treat — a collaboration with California-based McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream — features Garrison Brothers’

The Texas-classic barbecue restaurant, Smokey Mo’s BBQ kicked off a year of planned growth by adding a new branding and marketing expert, Leslie Ternes Smith, to the team as Vice President of Marketing. Smith brings her extensive marketing knowledge to a growing Smokey Mo’s brand and franchising expansion program. She has significant marketing insight, having worked for brands such as Juicy Couture, as Vice President of Global Marketing, and Tiff’s Treats as Vice President of Brand Marketing. “As we enter this highly anticipated phase of Smokey Mo’s, we want to move strategically to introduce the brand to new customers and continue to

Smokey Mo’s BBQ Headquarters: Cedar Park, Texas Units: 17 Smokey Mo’s BBQ offers its Texas style throughout the central part of the state, including low and slow-cooked brisket, which is smoked in-house for 10-14 hours each day at every location. A notable differentiation is that all stores have a trained pitmaster who’s an expert in the art of smoking, slicing, and serving meat, giving each restaurant a particular taste. At the start of COVID, when everything was shut down, Smokey Mo’s was forced to lay off 40 percent of its staff. However, the fast casual was able to bring these jobs back within weeks.

It took more than two years but young private equity firm Switchback Capital completed in January its first acquisition, Smokey Mo's TX BBQ. It took time to buy six different entities and roll them into one restaurant operation poised for growth. "Switchback was formed to formalize our interest in private equity, and specifically investing in companies originating in Texas," said Todd Caven, who started the Austin-based firm in 2017 with Tim Keyes. "Tim I've known for 30 years," working on various deals together. "We just can't shake each other I guess." Smokey Mo's is a 20-year-old barbecue chain founded by Morris "Mo"

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. Here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days. Austin-based Hopdoddy beefs up with acquisition of Texas burger brand. The Austin burger fave has acquired College Station-based Grub Burger Bar and formed a new hospitality group that will operate 50 locations across multiple states. Austin-born barbecue chain fires up plans for growth with new owners. Neighborhood barbecue joint Smokey Mo’s has been purchased by a private equity firm that has big plans for its future. Austin suburb boasts second-hottest neighborhood for