Q_Done_Right
Knows what a fatty is.
There is so much information out there it’s truly hard to know. Over the last few years, I’ve seen a TON of true “Central Texas Style” barbecue joints open up around Austin, Waco, Houston, Lubbock, Dallas, Los Angeles, Virginia, other states, etc. And I’m not talking about the crappy in name only type of “Texas style” places that are anything but. Everybody knows about Franklin Barbecue, La Barbecue and Lewis Barbecue, but you’ve now got Truth, Corkscrew, Guess Family, Helberg, Heim and many others in Texas, ZZQ in Virginia, a bunch of places in California (Trudy’s soon to be Slab) and a gazillion underground barbecue pop ups on Instagram all over the freakin’ country using 500 gallon offset smokers, post oak wood and pumping out brisket after brisket that rivals the best. These propane smoker builders are all now 1-2 years out on any order already! Central Texas Style seems like all the rage now.
What I’m most curious about though is these places that are food trucks and/or brick and mortar operations...many in Texas where barbecue is religion. Several are only open 3 or 4 days a week (Thur-Sat or Thur-Sun). The owners obviously do this full time. Many sell out each day. Are these businesses still making a meaningful profit? Do the owners earn a decent living as in the money they make pays for their living expenses? Any make a lot of money doing this? I know the hours are super long and exhausting. Not sure how many people on here might really know this or are willing to share but I’m very, very curious. And I’m sure there a lot of different factors at play and each situation is unique...so, not expecting a one size fits all answer.
What I’m most curious about though is these places that are food trucks and/or brick and mortar operations...many in Texas where barbecue is religion. Several are only open 3 or 4 days a week (Thur-Sat or Thur-Sun). The owners obviously do this full time. Many sell out each day. Are these businesses still making a meaningful profit? Do the owners earn a decent living as in the money they make pays for their living expenses? Any make a lot of money doing this? I know the hours are super long and exhausting. Not sure how many people on here might really know this or are willing to share but I’m very, very curious. And I’m sure there a lot of different factors at play and each situation is unique...so, not expecting a one size fits all answer.