Own a Smokin’
Good Franchise
Welcome to Buddy’s bar-b-q Franchising — where slow, hickory-smoked tradition meets fast-paced opportunity. With over 50 years of success, Buddy’s bar-b-q offers a time-tested business model built on quality, convenience and Southern hospitality.
What Makes Buddy’s Unique?
Homemade,
Family-Owned Recipes
Our menu is built on authentic, time-honored recipes that define Southern bar-b-q.
On-Site Hickory Smoking
Every restaurant smokes its meats onsite daily, using real hickory wood to create that signature Buddy’s flavor.
Drive-Thru Convenience
Every location features a drive-thru, accounting for 44% of our sales, providing customers with fast, high-quality meals on the go.
Strong
Off-Premises Sales
With 68% of revenue coming from off-premises dining, Buddy’s is designed for success in today’s fast-paced world.
Value, Speed &
Southern Hospitality
We pride ourselves on offering A Smokin’ Good Deal™ — great food at great prices — with quick service.
Small Footprint
Buddy’s offers a 2,400-square-foot, 56-seat, brand-new prototype available for freestanding, end cap and conversion.
Meet Our Team!
Meet our team — Brad, Sandy and Sonya — who bring decades of experience in restaurant operations and franchise development. With their expertise, you’ll be guided every step of the way in your journey to becoming a Buddy’s franchise owner.
BRAD WANTLAND, DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
Brad Wantland was hired at Buddy’s in 2009 as an hourly employee. He quickly moved into a full-time catering role and eventually took over as the site catering manager. After a couple of years, Brad moved into a management role at a café Buddy’s was contracted to run at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He was the general manager of this café for another seven years.
In 2017, Brad moved to our Bearden location, where he trained as a general manager. After 18 months, he was promoted to general manager of the Broadway location, the second-highest volume store in the company. Shortly after, Brad was named director of training in 2020.
SANDY HAYES, REGIONAL MANAGER
Sandy has been with Buddy’s since 1985, when she was hired as a cashier. In 1987, she was promoted to manager and then to general manager in 1988, where she served until 2000. Since then, Sandy has served as one of Buddy’s regional managers.
SONYA PARIS, REGIONAL MANAGER
Sonya has been with Buddy’s since 1989, when she was hired as a cashier. She was promoted to manager in 1992 and then to general manager, where she worked from 1998 to 2024. Sonya now serves as one of Buddy’s regional managers.
Legacy Brand
Since 1972, Buddy’s bar-b-q has been serving up authentic, hickory-smoked bar-b-q with homemade recipes that have been passed down for generations. As a legacy brand with deep Southern roots, Buddy’s stands out for its commitment to quality, consistency and a family-friendly atmosphere that keeps customers coming back.
OWN A SMOKIN’ GOOD FRANCHISE
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