BBQ Holdings Inc. is working with a Famous Dave’s franchisee to open its first line-service Quick ‘Que model in September, the company says.
The Minnetonka, Minn.-based Famous Dave’s, which has 117 restaurants, will open the new streamlined format in Coon Rapids, Minn., with DTSG, a legacy franchise group. Famous Dave’s has traditionally offered a table-service casual-dining format.
“Quick ‘Que is a major leap forward for us as a brand,” said Jeff Crivello, BBQ Holding’s CEO, in a statement.
“Not only will the line-service prototype provide a more convenient experience for customers without compromising the quality of the food,” Crivello said, “it will also create a more affordable and potentially much more profitable model for franchisees.”
BBQ Holdings is also planning to add a drive-thru to the new Quick ‘Que model, the company said in a press release, “creating even more convenience for customers.”
“Quick-Que’ is a major leap forward for us as a brand,” said Jeff Crivello, BBQ Holding’s CEO. “Not only will the line-service prototype provide a more convenient experience for customers without compromising the quality of the food, it will also create a more affordable and potentially much more profitable model for franchisees.”
DTSG, a franchise group headed by Julie Wright Card and John Glockner, already owns and operates three Famous Dave’s locations: Fargo, N.D.; Sioux City, Iowa; and Sioux Falls, S.D.
The company said the new model’s format is based on that of Highland Park, Ill.-based Real Urban BBQ, which it acquired in 2020. Famous Dave's has tested fast-casual models in the past.
“We learned so much from our acquisition of Real Urban BBQ,” Crivello said, “and we’re excited to put everything we’ve learned to use in this new restaurant model.”
It also acquired the assets of Granite City Food and Brewery in a bankruptcy auction last year.
As of Feb. 24, BBQ Holdings had four brands with 143 locations in 30 states and three countries, including 47 company-owned and 96 franchise-operated restaurants.
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