bbq brick and mortar stores

coastal · 10-29-2013, 12:46 PM

What are some big ones around the country? Any national stores? I would think we have a need for this thats not being met.

Carbon · 10-29-2013, 12:59 PM

Are you talking about fire bricks and refractory mortar in particular?

peeps · 10-29-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbon

Are you talking about fire bricks and refractory mortar in particular?

He is talking about physical BBQ stores, not just online shopping.

BBQs Galore is one we have local. Things seemed overpriced the last time I went there...

coastal · 10-29-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeps

He is talking about physical BBQ stores, not just online shopping.

BBQs Galore is one we have local. Things seemed overpriced the last time I went there...

Yes physical bbq stores. With all the different dealers you would think it eould be ripe for a outdoor store to capitalize on bbq. Places like Ace, lowes, home depot etc.. all have a pretty bad selection. Than I see some people post local stores thst seem amazing. Just wondering if a good national store exists I dont know about

sliding_billy · 10-29-2013, 01:31 PM

Academy Sports has about as good a selection as anywhere, but that is still pretty lacking. BBQ Galore might as well be called "overpriced grills and doesn't know anything about or stock anything BBQ."

joshcary · 10-29-2013, 01:35 PM

The answer to the question of a national chain is simple... no.

We are based in Wichita and do the bulk of our business in our brick and mortar location, but a fair bit online as well. It would take someone serious about the numbers (i.e. the bottom line) to run even a small chain of barbecue specialty shops. Retail is really hard, and since stores like ours don't sell necessities like shoes or electronics, we have to be very careful to make sure we train our staff to offer service end to end. This would include how to use the products, how to care for it so you'll have it for a lifetime, and what products to buy that fit their need without spending out of their budget.

The big payoff? It's a great business where we get to hang out with and help people who have the same passion we do!

Teamfour · 10-29-2013, 02:18 PM

Not a national chain, but you would be hard pressed to find a better store than The BBQ Equipment Store in Hampstead, MD. Top notch service, great products, and a Brethren to boot!

midwest_kc · 10-29-2013, 03:07 PM

Not one that I know of. I've been kicking around the idea of starting a local one here for a while. There's 2 that are well known, but I hate dealing with one of them and both are a 40+ minute drive from me. I'm just trying to figure out how to prioritize things and then try to make the $$ work.

Drunk Monkey · 10-29-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeps

He is talking about physical BBQ stores, not just online shopping.

BBQs Galore is one we have local. Things seemed overpriced the last time I went there...

I agree, I was a little disappointed.

To the OP, I think that the majority of the market is very well represented by the Home Depot's of the world. It is only the specialty (us crazies) section of the market that that is more elusive. I think many of the suppliers like Lang, Jambo Stumps ect would be hard pressed to fill an order for a nation wide chain store. For the most part the higher end BBQ market is a cottage industry.

midwest_kc · 10-29-2013, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drunk Monkey

I agree, I was a little disappointed.

To the OP, I think that the majority of the market is very well represented by the Home Depot's of the world. It is only the specialty (us crazies) section of the market that that is more elusive. I think many of the suppliers like Lang, Jambo Stumps ect would be hard pressed to fill an order for a nation wide chain store. For the most part the higher end BBQ market is a cottage industry.

When it comes to the cookers, I agree. I think that you would have to stick with the Webers, BGE, Primo, etc. of the world for cookers to sell. However, if you get in a good area with lots of walk by traffic, etc. I think you could sell a ton of rubs and sauces.

Drunk Monkey · 10-29-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midwest_kc

When it comes to the cookers, I agree. I think that you would have to stick with the Webers, BGE, Primo, etc. of the world for cookers to sell. However, if you get in a good area with lots of walk by traffic, etc. I think you could sell a ton of rubs and sauces.

idk, your average grocery store usually has half an isle of spices, rubs and marinades. The majority of the people out there have plenty of options. If you take a look at other countries it crazy how many options we have.

I think the Plowboys and Oakridges of the world will eventually get into the average grocery store if enough people are exposed to them. That is the usual cycle of things.

10-29-2013, 12:46 PM	#1
coastal Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-05-13 Location: Hilton Head, SC	bbq brick and mortar stores What are some big ones around the country? Any national stores? I would think we have a need for this thats not being met. __________________ Weber Genesis 310, Weber Performer Gold, Weber Jumbo Joe, Chargriller Smokin Pro w/ side firebox

10-29-2013, 12:59 PM	#2
Carbon is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-24-08 Location: Los Angeles	Are you talking about fire bricks and refractory mortar in particular? __________________ ....UDS....Mini-WSM....Midi-WSM....Mod-ECB....22.5-OTG....34"wood fired pizza oven....

10-29-2013, 02:18 PM	#7
Teamfour is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 07-13-12 Location: Sterling, VA	Not a national chain, but you would be hard pressed to find a better store than The BBQ Equipment Store in Hampstead, MD. Top notch service, great products, and a Brethren to boot! __________________ BWS Party \|UDS\|Maverick ET-73 \|Maverick ET-732 \|Super Fast [COLOR=DarkOrange]Orange[/COLOR] Thermapen \| BBQ Guru DigiQ \|Two 100 QT crawfish boiling rigs \| LEM Meat Grinder \| Grizzly Sausage Stuffer Smokin-n-Style BBQ Team - Pitmaster Lagniappe Chili Team - Head Cook KCBS CBJ

10-29-2013, 03:07 PM	#8
midwest_kc is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-27-10 Location: Independence, MO Name/Nickname : Joel	Not one that I know of. I've been kicking around the idea of starting a local one here for a while. There's 2 that are well known, but I hate dealing with one of them and both are a 40+ minute drive from me. I'm just trying to figure out how to prioritize things and then try to make the $$ work. __________________ Meat Rushmore BBQ Team

10-29-2013, 01:31 PM	#5
sliding_billy somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-27-13 Location: Princeton, TX Name/Nickname : )	Academy Sports has about as good a selection as anywhere, but that is still pretty lacking. BBQ Galore might as well be called "overpriced grills and doesn't know anything about or stock anything BBQ."

10-29-2013, 01:35 PM	#6
joshcary Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-05-13 Location: Wichita, KS	The answer to the question of a national chain is simple... no. We are based in Wichita and do the bulk of our business in our brick and mortar location, but a fair bit online as well. It would take someone serious about the numbers (i.e. the bottom line) to run even a small chain of barbecue specialty shops. Retail is really hard, and since stores like ours don't sell necessities like shoes or electronics, we have to be very careful to make sure we train our staff to offer service end to end. This would include how to use the products, how to care for it so you'll have it for a lifetime, and what products to buy that fit their need without spending out of their budget. The big payoff? It's a great business where we get to hang out with and help people who have the same passion we do!