The Pit is Lit

Average Investment $600k

prototypical footprint 2,250-2,750 sq ft

corporate store average sales

average gross sales per guest check

sales to investment ratio 2:1

fast casual is one of the fastest growing segments in the industry
The first Smokey Mo’s BBQ opened in 2000 in Cedar Park, Texas, and was the quintessential small, family business. With a lot of hard work, the model gained traction, and within 7 years, the first franchise was born in San Antonio. If you’re not keeping score, that gives us over 21 years of successful corporate operations and 14 solid years of franchising partnerships. Just saying, this ain’t our first rodeo.
What’s made the Smokey Mo’s BBQ concept so successful? We start with a small footprint to limit overhead. We offer a product with a naturally high ticket and perceived value. But what’s really kept our fire going is our commitment to quality, freshness, and real Texas BBQ. All Smokey Mo’s meats are smoked in-house, daily. Not every BBQ chain can say that — we’ve all seen those big BBQ commissary delivery trucks on the road. You’ll also be glad to know that our spice rub and sauces are proprietary. Every now and then, we get requests to ship them all over the country. How do we maintain a local, neighborhood feel? Well, each Smokey Mo’s BBQ roots itself in their surrounding community, supporting causes like schools, teachers, kid’s sports, libraries and neighbors in need.
There's a lot to be said for timing
The Smokey Mo's BBQ Culture
It all started with one small, family-run store in Cedar Park, Texas. So, as we grow, we think it's important to stay true to our roots and bring along the best of that heritage- our friendly, warm Texas atmosphere, freshly smoked meats, honest work, and our commitment to the communities around us. It is our hope that the "regulars" at every future Smokey Mo's will always be greeted by name. That's just the Smokey Mo's Way.
Vision
To be the best neighborhood BBQ in Texas
Mission
To serve great tasting BBQ in a friendly way that keeps 'em coming back
Core Values
Excellence: Be excellent. Own your results. Learn from mistakes. Take pride in our great food, our unrivaled hospitality and the cleanliness of our stores.
Teamwork: Be a team player. Show up for each other, have fun and act with empathy. We always work together to deliver a flawless guest experience.
Community: Be genuine and friendly. Smokey Mo’s strives to be a good neighbor and make a positive difference in our communities.
Promises to our guests
Our current franchisee family has been a part of Smokey Mo’s for years, and each has enjoyed a great deal of success. Here’s what they have to say:
How we support our franchise owners
Once you qualify and join the Smokey Mo's team, we'll teach you everything you need to know about The Smokey Mo's Way. Since your success is our success, we'll be committed to you every step of the way. Our proven system of operation created from years of experience is the key to a thriving Smokey Mo's.
Smokey Mo's Ideal Candidate
The Smokey Mo's BBQ Qualification Process
Once you’ve got the thumbs up to become a Smokey Mo’s BBQ franchisee, we’ll give you our all to teach you the Smokey Mo’s Way of doing things. Like we said before, your success is our success and we’ll be right there with you every step of the way. You can hang your hat on it.
As much as we wish this was as simple as a handshake, it’s business, so all potential franchisees will go through our qualification process.
Application
- Initial phone conversation with our Qualification Specialist will get the ball rolling.
- Candidate completes and returns Franchise Application.
- Documentation must be enclosed with the Franchise Application to support the following:
- Candidate must have a minimum of $200,000 in liquid assets per location.
- Candidate must have $600,000 Investment Capability.
- Please include statements (bank, stock, 401K) of the liquid $200K.
- Qualification Specialist completes financial review of candidate’s Franchise Application and conducts background investigation.
Franchise Disclosure Document
- Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and Decision-Making Checklist mailed to candidate (Acknowledgement of Receipt page must be returned before proceeding to the next step).
- Smokey Mo’s BBQ Franchise Recruiter contacts candidate to discuss FDD and Decision-Making Checklist and schedules a face-to-face meeting. This is where the good old-fashioned handshake will come in.
Observation
- Candidate meets face-to-face with Smokey Mo’s BBQ Franchise Recruiter.
- Candidate observes operating system in a Smokey Mo’s for a 1 day. Sure hope you like brisket.
- Candidate completes and returns their Business Plan to Franchise Recruiter.
Review
- The Approval Committee reviews the candidate’s file for the appropriate market.
- Welcome to Smokey Mo’s! Candidate is invited to Orientation for the following:
- Signing of the Franchise Agreement
- Payment of Franchise Fee
- Discussion of pre-opening timeline
- Set up initial training (Did somebody say, “Pitmaster”?)