The Beginnings Of Smithfield's Chicken And Bbq

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is a quick-service restaurant chain in North Carolina, United States, that has been serving fried chicken and Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue for over 40 years. The original restaurant was opened in 1964 in downtown Smithfield by Junius and Maggie Moore, and was simply called Smithfield's.

The original Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q opened in 1964

The original Smithfields Chicken N Bar-B-Q opened its doors in 1964 in downtown Smithfield, North Carolina. It was initially named 'Smithfield's', and was located beside a pre-WWII movie theatre. The restaurant's interior was described as a tall brick box with tin ceilings, cloth awnings, and a sink in the dining room for farmers to wash up before their meal.

The restaurant served Eastern N.C.-style (or vinegar-based) BBQ, potato salad, coleslaw, fried chicken, and sweetened iced tea. Over time, the restaurant became known for its focus on creating an enjoyable dining experience for its customers, with superior service and quality food.

The original Smithfield's in downtown Smithfield was the first of many locations to come. The restaurant expanded to a second location in Clayton, North Carolina, in 1977, followed by a third location in Salter Path in 1979. The company continued to grow, opening additional restaurants across eastern North Carolina in the 1980s and expanding to the Raleigh-Durham area in the 1990s.

Today, Smithfields Chicken N Bar-B-Q has established itself as a beloved North Carolina restaurant chain, with a focus on serving fresh and delicious food in a welcoming atmosphere.

The restaurant was opened by Junius and Maggie Moore

The original Smithfield's was located next to a pre-WWII movie theatre, in a tall brick building with tin ceilings, cloth awnings, and a sink in the dining room for farmers to wash up before their meal. The Moores served Eastern N.C. style (or vinegar-based) BBQ, potato salad, coleslaw, fried chicken, and sweetened iced tea.

The restaurant proved successful, and in 1979, the Moores expanded their business to Salter Path, opening a second restaurant in nearby Clayton, North Carolina. The couple continued to expand their business throughout the 1980s, opening additional restaurants across eastern North Carolina. By the 1990s, they had expanded to the Raleigh-Durham area.

The Moores' restaurant chain, which has been operating for over 40 years, is committed to providing an enjoyable and friendly dining experience for its customers. The Moores' son has continued this legacy, ensuring that the chain serves fresh food fast, with superior service and quality.

The restaurant expanded in 1979 to Salter Path

The original restaurant, opened in 1964, was located in downtown Smithfield, North Carolina, and was simply called 'Smithfield's'. The restaurant was known for its Eastern N.C.-style barbecue, fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, and sweetened iced tea. The dining experience was also notable, with a focus on creating a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for customers.

The expansion to Salter Path brought this unique dining experience to a new location, introducing more customers to the restaurant's signature dishes and hospitality. This move also helped solidify the restaurant's presence in North Carolina, contributing to its eventual growth into a successful franchise with over 40 locations across the state.

The expansion to Salter Path was a strategic decision, allowing the restaurant to establish a presence in a new market and reach a wider customer base. It demonstrated the business's ambition and willingness to take risks, which ultimately paid off, solidifying its reputation as one of North Carolina's most successful franchisors.

The restaurant chain has over 41 locations in North Carolina

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is a quick-service restaurant chain in North Carolina, serving fried chicken and Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue. The restaurant chain has over 41 locations in North Carolina, with plans to open more.

The original Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q opened in downtown Smithfield in 1964, and was simply called 'Smithfield's'. The restaurant was located next to a pre-WWII movie theatre and served up Eastern N.C. style (or vinegar-based) BBQ, potato salad, cole slaw, fried chicken, and sweetened iced tea.

The business expanded quickly, with a second restaurant opening in Clayton, North Carolina, in 1977, followed by a third location in Salter Path in 1979. In the early 1980s, the company continued to open more restaurants in eastern North Carolina, and by the 1990s, they had expanded to the Raleigh-Durham area.

The chain's affordable franchisee terms have been a key factor in its growth. The package includes a $50,000 fee for a 15-year pact, with prospective owners required to have a net worth of at least $600,000, half of which must be liquid. This is significantly less than what is typically required by other quick-service food chains.

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q has a strong focus on creating an enjoyable and memorable dining experience for its customers. They are committed to serving fresh food fast, with superior service and quality. The restaurants offer a family-friendly atmosphere, with dine-in or takeout options, as well as bulk items and party packs for special events.

The chain has also kept up with the times, offering DoorDash delivery at select locations and online ordering for those who prefer the convenience of having their food delivered straight to their door.

The restaurant chain is one of North Carolina's most successful franchisors

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is a quick-service restaurant chain in North Carolina, serving fried chicken and Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue. The original restaurant was opened in 1964 by Junius and Maggie Moore in downtown Smithfield, and was simply called Smithfield's. It was located next to a pre-WWII movie theatre and served as a dining spot for farmers, who could wash up before supper using the sink in the dining room. The menu included Eastern N.C. style (or vinegar-based) BBQ, potato salad, cole slaw, fried chicken, and sweetened iced tea.

The business expanded in the 1970s and 1980s, with additional restaurants opening across eastern North Carolina, and by the 1990s, the chain had expanded to the Raleigh-Durham area. As of March 2024, there were over 41 locations across the state, as well as an online store. The chain is also looking to expand further, with a new restaurant in the works in Kernersville/Union Cross.

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is one of North Carolina's most successful franchisors, with 41 restaurants employing about 1,200 people. The chain's growth can be attributed to its relatively affordable franchisee terms. The package includes a $50,000 fee for a 15-year pact, with prospective owners required to have a net worth of at least $600,000, half of which must be liquid. This is significantly less than what is typically required by other quick-service food chains. Additionally, franchisees pay royalties to Smithfield's, representing 5.5% of sales, along with 1.5% for advertising expenses.

The chain was founded in 1980 by Gregory Moore, the son of Junius and Maggie Moore, who built upon his parents' barbecue restaurant in Smithfield. Moore remains a chairman and advisor to the chain, which operates 18 restaurants and franchises the others. The success of the chain can also be attributed to its focus on creating an enjoyable and memorable dining experience for its customers, with a commitment to serving fresh food fast, superior service, and quality.

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