News

Woody's Bar-B-Q launches express model

March 18, 2014

The fast casual vision that initially began buzzing around the brains of co-founders Woody Mills and Yolanda Mills-Mawman in 2007, recently became a full-blown reality for Southern barbecue franchise, Woody's Bar-B-Q, according to a company press release.

After debuting a full-service-location-turned-fast-casual-prototype in late 2012, the Florida-based company tweaked the concept before finding the ideal franchisee to premiere the first official Woody's Bar-B-Q Express. In early February 2014, new owner Tom Alvarez opened the doors to Woody's Bar-B-Q Express of Lake Mary, located at 3801 Lake Mary Boulevard, ushering in a new era for the 34-year-year-old, full-service concept, Mills-Mawman said.

"While our full-service models will remain alive and well, we do expect a very positive response to the Express concept from patrons and prospective franchisees alike," Mills-Mawman said. "All of the great slow-smoked barbecue, comfort food sides, welcoming atmosphere and great service that put Woody's Bar-B-Q on the map will remain true to both the full-service and Express models, but the new quick-service concept will feature smaller restaurants and streamlined operations for our guests who simply need to eat and run. We believe Tom's extensive background in the corporate world gives him a unique perspective of the needs of many of the professionals in the Lake Mary area who want a great meal for lunch, but don't have much time to wait, as well as those who wish to pick up a terrific meal to take home at the end of a long work day."

The Lake Mary Woody's Bar-B-Q Express has about 2,500 square feet, a 65-seat dining room, high-end lighting, and eye-catching graphics as opposed to the picnic tables and kitschy décor to which Woody's Bar-B-Q fans have become accustomed in the full-service restaurants. It will serve as an archetype for future Woody's Bar-B-Q Express locations.

"It is a great fit for upcoming trends in the foodservice industry — but still features a customer focus. In terms of the speed element, the lunch rush is when time is at a premium," Alvarez said. "The Woody's Bar-B-Q Express model is more conducive to a quick in-and-out experience that is centered around a good made-to-order meal. Of course, if they don't have to rush out, our guests are always welcome to stay as long as they like."