The Religion of Texas Barbecue
by Sean Kelly, President, IdeaFarm (read the entire article in PDF form)

To understand why Hickory River Smokehouse, a small, quickservice restaurant chain based in Tipp City OH, Champaign-Urbana IL, is without a doubt one of the Best Undiscovered Franchises in our solar system, you need to understand two things. The first is Barbecue. The second is Brad & Krista Bowman. Some people define Barbecue as a food, while others think of it as the act of cooking that food, while still others use the word Barbecue to describe the metal box you use to burn burgers on in your back yard. Those are true, but lesser meanings. What you need to know is that Barbecue is a religion. There is no more passionate of a congregation than the devotees of Barbecue. And within the congregation there is no one more zealous about making and selling great, affordable Barbecue, all week long, than the founders of Hickory River Smokehouse, Brad & Krista Bowman. "Barbecue" is a uniquely American food, with many regional variations. There's the sweet southern barbecue of Mississippi and Alabama, smoky Kansas City-style barbecue and the famous Memphis barbecue, to name a few. Hickory River Smokehouse serves real Texas barbecue, in the tradition of the legendary barbecue pits that Brad, literally, visited and studied from one end of the Lone Star state to the other. The Bowmans created Hickory River Smokehouse to provide authentic, incredible Texas-style barbecue to the rest of the country without compromising flavor or quality. Each Hickory River Smokehouse, true to its name, has an on-premise "smokehouse." They apply a special blend of seasonings (known as "dry rub") to the highest quality beef brisket, chicken, turkey and pork, then slowly smoke it for hours and hours over a hickory-wood fire to create the most tender, flavorful meats possible. The Hickory River team then serve it, cafeteria-style, with Hickory River Smokehouse's own soon-to-be famous Texas-style barbecue sauce. The simple, rustic Texas-style decor educates new converts all about Barbecue, with signs like "All of our meat is fully cooked. The "red ring" visible in our meat signifies that you are eating the perfect Texas barbecue." It's a lively, casual, family-friendly place where you'll see businessmen in suits, laborers in work boots, college professors, teenage kids, housewives and senior citizens chowing down with equal enthusiasm. (Barbecue is a religion open to all.) I was impressed by how the cafeteria-style line moves the crowds quickly and efficiently, while also creating interaction between guests and team members. It helps create a lively and friendly atmosphere. It also eliminates the need for waiting for or tipping waitstaff (not to mention, from the owner's perspective, hiring, paying and managing a waitstaff.). At Hickory River Smokehouse, it's all about the food. Like the Sliced Beef Brisket Platter, featuring slices of tender, choice beef brisket, served with their "soon to-be-famous" Texas-style barbecue sauce., Chopped Smoked Pork Ribs, with meat so moist and tender it falls away from the bone. Seasoned, hickory smoked pork loin, topped with their Texas-style barbecue sauce.
Cured country ham, bursting with flavor of their real hickory logs. Or their richly flavorful white meat turkey, fresh from the smokehouse, that's low in fat, but long on flavor. The array of side items are prepared with the same concern for quality and flavor.

A powerful advantage of the Hickory River Smokehouse concept and product line is its suitability for
both take-out and off-premise catering business, two of the most highly prized revenue centers in the restaurant industry. To find out more about this tasty opportunity, you need to contact Brad Bowman or request some more information right away. But beforewarned: you may gain a few pounds before you even get through training.

Franchise Information
Concept: ................Hickory River Smokehouse
Company: ....... Hickory River Smokehouse, Inc
Franchise Contact: .................... Brad Bowman
Franchise phone:......................(217) 239-2472
Franchise email: ........... brad@hickoryriver.com
Home Office location:.......................Urbana, IL
Year Founded: .........................................1995
Type of business:....... Quick Casual Restaurant
Current locations: .............................................
Urbana, IL
Springfield, IL
Tipp City, OH
Expansion rate: .................................Moderate
Priority markets: ...................... Illinois, Indiana & Ohio
Franchisee desired: .........................Restaurant
.......................................... industry experience
Initial Cash Investment:.....$100,000 – 200,000
Special features:........................ Unique sauce,
.....................................catering & concessions
Royalty Fees:...............................................4%